Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing nanometric filamentary structures. The method comprises passing a gaseous phase comprising the nanometric filamentary structures through a space defined between at least two electrodes generating an electric field, for depositing the nanometric filamentary structures on at least one of the electrodes; and at least substantially preventing the deposited nanometric filamentary structures from bridging the electrodes during the deposition. The invention also relates to an apparatus for depositing nanometric filamentary structures as well as to methods and apparatuses for monitoring the production of nanometric filamentary structures.

Abstract: A method and a system for fabricating a macroscopic object, comprising, in an environment at least one energy source; at least one hollow cathode separated from an anode by a bias potential; and a support; a flow of gas through the hollow cathode generating a hollow cathode discharge, particles emitted by the hollow cathode being assembled on the support under action of energy from the energy source.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The apparatus comprises a plasma torch having a plasma tube adapted to receive an inert gas and form an inert gas plasma; a feeder adapted to direct a carbon-containing substance and a metal catalyst towards said inert gas plasma so that the carbon-containing substance and the metal catalyst contact said inert gas plasma downstream of where said inert gas is introduced in said plasma tube, to thereby form a plasma comprising atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal; and a condenser for condensing the atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal to form single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method and a system for fabricating a macroscopic object, comprising, in an environment at least one energy source; at least one hollow cathode separated from an anode by a bias potential; and a support; a flow of gas through the hollow cathode generating a hollow cathode discharge, particles emitted by the hollow cathode being assembled on the support under action of energy from the energy source.

Abstract: There is provided method for treating a gaseous phase comprising carbon filamentary structures having metal particles attached or linked thereto, for separating at least a portion of said carbon filamentary structures from said metal particles. The method comprises submitting said gaseous phase to a disturbance generated by an electric field, a magnetic field, ultrasounds, a turbulent gas stream, or combinations thereof, thereby reducing the amount of carbon filamentary structures having metal particles attached or linked thereto.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The apparatus comprises a plasma torch having a plasma tube adapted to receive an inert gas and form an inert gas plasma; a feeder adapted to direct a carbon-containing substance and a metal catalyst towards said inert gas plasma so that the carbon-containing substance and the metal catalyst contact said inert gas plasma downstream of where said inert gas is introduced in said plasma tube, to thereby form a plasma comprising atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal; and a condenser for condensing the atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal to form single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing nanometric filamentary structures. The method comprises passing a gaseous phase comprising the nanometric filamentary structures through a space defined between at least two electrodes generating an electric field, for depositing the nanometric filamentary structures on at least one of the electrodes; and at least substantially preventing the deposited nanometric filamentary structures from bridging the electrodes during the deposition. The invention also relates to an apparatus for depositing nanometric filamentary structures as well as to methods and apparatuses for monitoring the production of nanometric filamentary structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the production of nanometric filamentary structures. The method comprises passing a gaseous phase comprising nanometric filamentary structures through a space defined between at least two electrodes generating an electric field for causing an increase of current between the electrodes and analyzing behavior of the current over a predetermined period of time and/or analyzing at least one of the size, density and shape of the nanometric filamentary structures or aggregates thereof present in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a macroscopic assembly of nanometric filamentary structures. The macroscopic assembly comprises a plurality of microscopic assemblies substantially aligned in a same direction and connected together. Each of the microscopic assemblies comprises a plurality of members defining a plurality of spaces therebetween. Each of the members comprises a nanometric filamentary structure or a bundle of nanometric filamentary structures, wherein the macroscopic assembly has a density of less than 8 mg/cm3. The is also provided a method for preparing such a macroscopic assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) providing a plasma torch having a plasma tube with a plasma-discharging end; (b) feeding an inert gas through the plasma tube to form a primary plasma; (c) contacting a carbon-containing substance and a metal catalyst with the primary plasma at the plasma-discharging end of the plasma tube, to form a secondary plasma containing atoms or molecules of carbon and atoms of the metal catalyst; and (d) condensing the atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of the metal catalyst to form single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) providing a plasma torch having a plasma tube with a plasma-discharging end; (b) feeding an inert gas through the plasma tube to form a primary plasma; (c) contacting a carbon-containing substance and a metal catalyst with the primary plasma at the plasma-discharging end of the plasma tube, to form a secondary plasma containing atoms or molecules of carbon and atoms of the metal catalyst; and (d) condensing the atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of the metal catalyst to form single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes comprising condensing a plasma comprising atoms or molecules of carbon and atoms of a metal suitable for catalyzing the formation of single-wall carbon nanotubes in an oven at a predetermined temperature so as to provide a temperature gradient, thereby forming single-wall carbon nanotubes; and collecting the so-formed single-wall carbon nanotubes by passing them through an electrostatic trap comprising a pair of electrodes generating an electrical current so as to deposit at least a portion of the single-wall carbon nanotubes on one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing nanometric filamentary structures. The method comprises passing a gaseous phase comprising the nanometric filamentary structures through a space defined between at least two electrodes generating an electric field, for depositing the nanometric filamentary structures on at least one of the electrodes; and at least substantially preventing the deposited nanometric filamentary structures from bridging the electrodes during the deposition. The invention also relates to an apparatus for depositing nanometric filamentary structures as well as to methods and apparatuses for monitoring the production of nanometric filamentary structures.

Abstract: There is provided a method for purifying carbon filamentary structures contaminated with magnetic metal particles. The method comprises submitting a gaseous phase comprising said carbon filamentary structures contaminated with magnetic metal particles, to an inhomogeneous magnetic field for at least partially trapping said magnetic metal particles, thereby reducing the proportion of said magnetic metal particles present in said gaseous phase. The method is particularly useful for purifying carbon filamentary structures such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes, single-wall carbon nanotubes or carbon fibers. An apparatus for purifying such carbon filamentary structures contaminated with magnetic metal particles is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a macroscopic assembly of nanometric filamentary structures. The macroscopic assembly comprises a plurality of microscopic assemblies substantially aligned in a same direction and connected together. Each of the microscopic assemblies comprises a plurality of members defining a plurality of spaces therebetween. Each of the members comprises a nanometric filamentary structure or a bundle of nanometric filamentary structures, wherein the macroscopic assembly has a density of less than 8 mg/cm3. The is also provided a method for prerparing such a macroscopic assembly.