Abstract: An electrochemical-codeposition method for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced metal nanocomposite includes providing a reaction vessel having an anode and a cathode and a plating solution therein, where the plating solution includes at least one acid, at least one surfactant, a plurality of CNTs, and a plurality of metal cations that include at least one metal. The plating solution has a pH between 2 and 4.5 and at least a portion of the plurality of CNTs are positively charged CNTs in the plating solution. A power supply is connected between the anode and cathode. The positively charged CNTs and metal cations are both electrochemically-codeposited onto the cathode to form the nanocomposite, wherein the metal provides a continuous metal phase for the nanocomposite.

Abstract: An electrochemical-codeposition method for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced metal nanocomposite includes providing a reaction vessel having an anode and a cathode and a plating solution therein, where the plating solution includes at least one acid, at least one surfactant, a plurality of CNTs, and a plurality of metal cations that include at least one metal. The plating solution has a pH between 2 and 4.5 and at least a portion of the plurality of CNTs are positively charged CNTs in the plating solution. A power supply is connected between the anode and cathode. The positively charged CNTs and metal cations are both electrochemically-codeposited onto the cathode to form the nanocomposite, wherein the metal provides a continuous metal phase for the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube reinforced metal nanocomposite material includes a continuous metal phase, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the continuous metal phase. The metal phase extends throughout substantially an entire thickness of the nanocomposite material. The nanotubes are preferably single wall nanotubes (SWNTs). Carbon nanotube reinforced metal nanocomposites according to the invention provide thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity which are generally significantly higher than the pure metal continuous phase material, mechanical strength is 2 to 3 times greater than that of the pure metal, and a tailorable coefficient of thermal expansion obtainable through changing the percentage of nanotubes in the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube reinforced metal nanocomposite material includes a continuous metal phase, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the continuous metal phase. The metal phase extends throughout substantially an entire thickness of the nanocomposite material. The nanotubes are preferably single wall nanotubes (SWNTs). Carbon nanotube reinforced metal nanocomposites according to the invention provide thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity which are generally significantly higher than the pure metal continuous phase material, mechanical strength is 2 to 3 times greater than that of the pure metal, and a tailorable coefficient of thermal expansion obtainable through changing the percentage of nanotubes in the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A solid state gas sensor may include gas sensing element coupled to a substrate. The gas sensing element may have a desired operating temperature, which may be between 100 and 400 degrees Celsius. The sensor may further include a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to sense an operating temperature of the sensing element and provide a feedback signal representative of the operating temperature. The sensor may further include a heater having a heat output. The heater may be responsive to the feedback signal to adjust the heat output to drive the operating temperature to the desired operating temperature. A detector such as a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector having such a solid state gas sensor is also provided. An associated method is also provided.