Abstract: A system for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a fiber material includes a surface treatment system adapted to modify the surface of the fiber material to receive a barrier coating upon which carbon nanotubes are to be grown, a barrier coating application system downstream of the surface treatment system adapted to apply the barrier coating to the treated fiber material surface, and a barrier coating curing system downstream of the barrier coating application systems for partially curing the applied barrier coating to enhance reception of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a fiber material includes a surface treatment system adapted to modify the surface of the fiber material to receive a barrier coating upon which carbon nanotubes are to be grown, a barrier coating application system downstream of the surface treatment system adapted to apply the barrier coating to the treated fiber material surface, and a barrier coating curing system downstream of the barrier coating application systems for partially curing the applied barrier coating to enhance reception of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composite for use in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused fiber material disposed in at least a portion of a matrix material. The composite is capable of absorbing or reflecting EM radiation, or combinations thereof in a frequency range from between about 0.01 MHz to about 18 GHz. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE), is in a range from between about 40 decibels (dB) to about 130 dB. A method of manufacturing the composite includes disposing a CNT-infused fiber material in a portion of a matrix material with a controlled orientation of the CNT-infused fiber material within the matrix material, and curing the matrix material. A panel includes the composite and is adaptable to interface with a device for use in EMI shielding applications. The panel is further equipped with an electrical ground.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A system for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a fiber material includes a surface treatment system adapted to modify the surface of the fiber material to receive a barrier coating upon which carbon nanotubes are to be grown, a barrier coating application system downstream of the surface treatment system adapted to apply the barrier coating to the treated fiber material surface, and a barrier coating curing system downstream of the barrier coating application systems for partially curing the applied barrier coating to enhance reception of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus having a composite air-based structure with a first carbon nanotube infused material and a second carbon nanotube infused material. The first and second carbon nanotube infused materials each having a range of carbon nanotube loading selected to provide different functionalities.

Abstract: An apparatus having a composite sea-based structure with a first carbon nanotube infused material and a second carbon nanotube infused material. The first and second carbon nanotube infused materials each having a range of carbon nanotube loading selected to provide different functionalities.

Abstract: A composite composition includes a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused fibers dispersed in a matrix material. The amount of carbon nanotubes in the composition is in a range between about 0.1% percent by weight to about 60 percent by weight of the composite.

Abstract: Flame-resistant composite materials containing carbon nanotubes are described herein. The flame-resistant composite materials contain an outer layer and at least one inner layer, containing a first polymer matrix and a second polymer matrix, respectively. The outer layer has an exterior surface and a first carbon nanotube-infused fiber material that contains a first fiber material and a first plurality of carbon nanotubes greater than about 50 ?m in length. In some embodiments, the at least one inner layer also contains a second fiber material and/or a second carbon nanotube-infused fiber material containing a second fiber material and a second plurality of carbon nanotubes. When present, the second plurality of carbon nanotubes are generally shorter in length than the first plurality of carbon nanotubes. Alignment of the carbon nanotubes in the outer layer can transfer heat away from the composite material's inner layer(s).

Abstract: A mobile, telescoping radar array is disclosed. In some embodiments, the radar array has a plurality of support stages that fully nest when stowed and assume a telescoped form when deployed. A plurality of radiating elements depend from each stage. The support stages, as deployed, have a geometry that supports 360 degrees of radar coverage without rotating or otherwise repositioning the radar array.