Abstract: A flash CVD process can be employed to grow micron- and nano-sized tree-like structures, particularly carbon structures on graphite electrodes. This process involves fast cyclic resistive heating of electrodes in an atmosphere of inert gas and hydrocarbons at below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nanostructures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to energy storage devices, e.g., capacitors and batteries, that may include a composite article of elongated conductive structures embedded in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a liquid containing ionic species may be dispersed within the polymer matrix of the article. The liquid may contact the elongated conductive structures within the polymer matrix. When the composite article is used as an energy storage device, the large surface area at the interface between the elongated conductive structures and the liquid can provide high energy storage. Embodiments of the invention enable storing energy using a composite article that exhibits both high and low temperature stability, high cyclic repeatability, and mechanical flexibility. The composite article can also be non-toxic, biocompatible and environmentally friendly. Thus, the composite article may be useful for a variety of energy storage applications, such as in the automotive, RFID, MEMS and medical fields.

Abstract: A brush includes a microscale handle and nanostructure bristles, such as carbon nanotube bristles, located on at least one portion of the handle.

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: 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: A fluid delivery technique includes inserting a first end of a nanotube into the cell, connecting a second end of the nanotube to a fluid supply, and transferring fluid from the fluid supply into the cell via the nanotube. A technique for determining or sensing a property of a cell includes inserting two nanotubes into the cell, measuring at least one of a voltage and a resistance between the two nanotubes, and relating the at least one of the voltage and the resistance to a property of the cell. Other techniques and apparatus for fluid delivery to cell and sensing properties of a cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch. The switch has as components a substrate and a material disposed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes and a polymer forming a composite. Preferably, the polymer is polyimide. In another embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes incorporated into a silica. The nanotube loading in the material is less than about 0.1 wt %. The material is a substantially transparent, third-order nonlinear optical material. The switch has a switching speed of less than 1 picosecond for light with a wavelength of about 1.55 micrometers. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch.

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: 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: Long, macroscopic nanotube strands or cables, up to several tens of centimeters in length, of aligned single-walled nanotubes are synthesized by the catalytic pyrolysis of n-hexane using an enhanced vertical floating catalyst CVD technique. The long strands of nanotubes assemble continuously from ropes or arrays of nanotubes, which are intrinsically long. These directly synthesized long nanotube strands or cables can be easily manipulated using macroscopic tools.

Abstract: An ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch. The switch has as components a substrate and a material disposed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes and a polymer forming a composite. Preferably, the polymer is polyimide. In another embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes incorporated into a silica. The nanotube loading in the material is less than about 0.1 wt %. The material is a substantially transparent, third-order nonlinear optical material. The switch has a switching speed of less than 1 picosecond for light with a wavelength of about 1.55 micrometers. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch.

Abstract: A flash CVD process can be employed to grow micron- and nano-sized tree-like structures, particularly carbon structures on graphite electrodes. This process involves fast cyclic resistive heating of electrodes in an atmosphere of inert gas and hydrocarbons at below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix nanocomposite having enhanced mechanical behavior is made up of a nanotube filler composed of at least one nanotube material, and a ceramic matrix composed of a nanocrystalline ceramic oxide. A method for producing ceramic articles having improved fracture toughness includes combining of a nanotube filler made up of a nanotube material and a ceramic matrix made up of a nanocrystalline ceramic oxide, forming an article therefrom, and sintering the article under elevated pressure at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon nanotubes and impurity carbon materials, which include carbon nanoparticles and may possibly include amorphous carbon, is purified into carbon nanotubes of high purity by utilizing a significant difference in oxidizability between the nanotubes and the nanoparticles. The mixture is pulverized and heated in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature in the range from 600.degree. to 1000.degree. C. until the impurity carbon materials are oxidized and dissipated into gas phase. The nanotubes remain almost unoxidized except for loss of some lengths from the tube tips. It is suitable to perform the heating in air or oxygen.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanometer sized carbon tubule enclosing a foreign material except for carbon. The carbon tubule comprises a plurality of tubular graphite monoatomic sheets coaxially arranged. The foreign material is introduced through a top portion of the carbon tubule. The introduction of the foreign material is accomplished after forming an opening at the top portion of the carbon tubule either by contacting the foreign material with the top portion of the carbon tubule together with a heat treatment or by an evaporation of the foreign material on the top portion of the carbon tubule together with the heat treatment. The foreign material is introduced only in a center hollow space defined by an internal surface of the most inner tubular graphite monoatomic sheet.