Abstract: An array of long carbon nanotubes (i.e. an array where the average length of the nanotubes is greater than 0.5 millimeters) is prepared by exposing a supported catalyst at elevated temperature to a gas mixture of hydrocarbon, inert gas, and a relatively low percentage of hydrogen. Addition of water vapor to the gas mixture may result in an increase in the length of the nanotubes, an increase the rate of growth, and a decrease in contamination of the array by amorphous carbon. The temperature and growth time are also chosen to minimize the amount of amorphous carbon that forms on the array. Fibers spun from the array have a higher tensile strength compared to known CNT fibers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed of preparing a template layer of a biaxially oriented material by ion beam assisted deposition upon a length of a substrate within a vacuum deposition chamber, by passing a length of substrate across a cooling block within a vacuum deposition chamber, with the cooling block configured to contact the substrate and passing a cooled liquid or gas through said cooling block during deposition of said layer of biaxially oriented material by ion beam assisted deposition upon said length of substrate.

Abstract: A cryogenic linear positioner which is primarily used for characterizing coated conductor critical current homogeneity at 75K is disclosed. Additionally, this tool can be used to measure the positional dependence of the coated conductor resistance at room temperature, and the room temperature resistance of the underlying YBCB coating without the overlaying protective cover of silver.