Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube structure includes providing an array of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes, wetting the array with a liquid, and evaporating the liquid to form the carbon nanotube structure having a pattern in the carbon nanotube array. The structure is preferably a carbon nanotube foam.

Abstract: A method of controllably aligning carbon nanotubes to a template structure to fabricate a variety of carbon nanotube containing structures and devices having desired characteristics is provided. The method allows simultaneous, selective growth of both vertically and horizontally controllably aligned nanotubes on the template structure but not on a substrate in a single process step.

Abstract: An open-cell carbon nanotube foam is made of a plurality of separated carbon nanotubes. The foam exhibits a Poisson's ratio substantially equal to zero, a compressibility of at least 85%, a recovery rate of at least 120 mm/min, a compressive strength of at least 12 MPa, a sag factor of at least 4, a fatigue resistance to no more than 15% permanent deformation when subjected to at least 1,000 compressive cycles at a strain of 85%, and/or a resilience of between 25% and 30%. The carbon nanotubes may be multiwalled carbon nanotubes that are aligned parallel to a thickness of a film comprising the foam.

Abstract: A method of producing polymer/nanotube composites where the density and position of the nanotubes (11) within the composite ca be controlled. Carbon nanotubes (11) are grown from organometallic micropatterns. These periodic nanotube arrays are then incorporated into a polymer matrix (7) by deposing a curable polymer film on the as-grown tubes. This controlled method of producing free-standing nanotube/polymer composite films may be used to form nanosensor (3) which provide information regarding a physical condition of a material (20), such as an airplane chassis or wing, in contact with the nanosensor (3).

Abstract: A three-dimensional composite reinforcement, a three-dimensionally reinforced multifunctional nanocomposite, and methods of manufacture of each are disclosed. The three dimensional reinforcement comprises a two dimensional fiber cloth upon which carbon nanotubes have been grown, approximately perpendicular to the plane of the fiber cloth. The nanocomposite comprises the three-dimensional reinforcement and a surrounding matrix material. Examples illustrate improvements in the through-thickness mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite, in addition to substantial improvements in geometrical stability upon temperature changes and vibrational damping, compared to baseline composites reinforced with the two-dimensional fiber cloth alone.

Abstract: A method of transforming a carbon single wall nanotube (SWNT) is provided. The method comprises exposing the SWNT to light having a power sufficient to ignite or reconstruct the SWNT such that the SWNT is ignited or reconstructed by the exposure to the light.

Abstract: An organic photovoltaic conversion device, such as a solar cell includes a matrix material, such as a polymer matrix material, carbon nanotubes dispersed in the matrix material, and photovoltaic organic molecules, such as organic dye molecules, attached to defect sites on the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to derivatized, well-dispersed CNTs that have enhanced miscibility with organic agents. Composite materials may be made using such CNTs. The composite materials, in turn, may be used in optical and electronic applications.

Abstract: An ionization gas sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, such as cathode and anode electrodes. The second electrode is a carbon nanotube film having a carbon nanotube density such that the film behaves as a conducting sheet electrode. The sensor also includes a voltage source electrically connected to the first and to the second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube structure includes providing an array of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes, wetting the array with a liquid, and evaporating the liquid to form the carbon nanotube structure having a pattern in the carbon nanotube array. The structure is preferably a carbon nanotube foam.

Abstract: Monolithic, macroscopic, nanoporous nanotube filters are fabricated having radially aligned carbon nanotube walls. The freestanding filters have diameters and lengths up to several centimeters. A single-step filtering process was demonstrated in two important settings: the elimination of multiple components of heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum, a crucial step in post-distillation of crude oil, and the elimination of bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli or the nanometer-sized poliovirus from drinking water. All the filtration processes were repeated several times with completely reproducible results. These nanotube filters can be cleaned repeatedly after each filtration process to regain their full filtering efficiency.

Abstract: Exposing osteoblasts on an electrically conducting nanocomposite, which may be an orthopaedic/dental implant, to electrical stimulation enhances osteoblast proliferation thereon. The electrically conducting nanoscale material includes an electrically conducting nanoscale material and a biocompatible polymer and/or a biocompatible ceramic; carbon nanotubes may be used as the electrically conducting nanoscale material.