Abstract: Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

Abstract: Membranes including functionalized carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds and/or graphene oxide immobilized in or on the membranes are disclosed. The membranes including the immobilized nanocarbons increase interactions with water vapor to improve desalination efficiency in membrane distillation. The membranes may be deployed in all modes of membrane distillation such as air gap membrane distillation, direct contact membrane distillation, vacuum membrane distillation and other separations.

Abstract: Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention presents the development of flexible battery especially primary and secondary alkaline batteries. Nano carbons, in particularly carbon nanotubes are implemented in conductive polymers to develop flexible electrodes. Polymer separators that can withstand high pH and serve the purpose of electrolyte storage is used to enhance performance. The relatively inexpensive multiwall nanotubes represent are effective ingredients in development of flexible electrodes.

Abstract: A novel microwave-assisted process is described for the rapid removal of catalytic metal and non-desirable carbon impurities in fullerene, single wall, and multiple wall carbon nanotube preparations. The purification process is carried out at various programmed pressures, power levels and reaction times in a suspension of the nanocarbon moieties in the presence of strong acids (for example, a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid), in weak acids (for example, acetic acid) and in the presence of chelating agents (for example, EDTA—ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). In one embodiment, high metal removal efficiency of 70 to 90% is observed.

Abstract: Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

Abstract: A microtrap assembly includes a carbon nanotube sorbent. The microtrap assembly may be employed as a preconcentrator operable to deliver a sample to an analytical device to measure the concentrations of greenhouse gases. A system includes a microtrap having a carbon nanotube sorbent for measuring the concentrations of greenhouse gases in a sample.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming, producing or manufacturing functionalized nanomaterials, and, specifically, soluble functionalized nanomaterials. The presently described invention also relates to nanomaterial-based composites consisting of a target material, which can include ceramic, polymer, or metallic matrices incorporated into or grown on nanomaterials, as well as a method or synthesis technique for the formation, production, or manufacture of nanomaterial-based composites through microwave-induced reaction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming, producing or manufacturing functionalized nanomaterials, and, specifically, soluble functionalized nanomaterials. The presently described invention also relates to nanomaterial-based composites consisting of a target material, which can include ceramic, polymer, or metallic matrices incorporated into or grown on nanomaterials, as well as a method or synthesis technique for the formation, production, or manufacture of nanomaterial-based composites through microwave-induced reaction.

Abstract: A novel microwave-assisted process is described for the rapid removal of catalytic metal and non-desirable carbon impurities in fullerene, single wall, and multiple wall carbon nanotube preparations. The purification process is carried out at various programmed pressures, power levels and reaction times in a suspension of the nanocarbon moieties in the presence of strong acids (for example, a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid), in weak acids (for example, acetic acid) and in the presence of chelating agents (for example, EDTA—ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). In one embodiment, high metal removal efficiency of 70 to 90% is observed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for improved soluble carbon nanotube (“CNT”) composites at least partially coated with a metal material, and improved methods for the synthesis, generation or formation of substantially soluble carbon nanotube composites via heating conditions (e.g., microwave reactions). For example, the present disclosure provides for methods for the rapid, controllable, environmentally-friendly formation of substantially soluble carbon nanotube composites via in-situ microwave-assisted reactions, wherein the carbon nanotube composites are at least partially coated with nanometal particles (e.g., nanoplatinum particles), and wherein the nanocomposites are substantially soluble in water and/or in organic solvents (e.g., o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB), chloroform, tetrahydrofuran (THF), ethanol, toluene, hexane and DMF).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved membrane or substrate having carbon nanotubes introduced and/or immobilized therein, and an improved method for introducing and/or immobilizing carbon nanotubes in membranes or substrates. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for fabricating membranes or substrates having carbon nanotubes immobilized therein. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for introducing and/or immobilizing functionalized carbon nanotubes into the pore structure of a polymeric membrane or substrate, thereby dramatically improving the performance of the polymeric membrane or substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for the fabrication of nanotube immobilized membranes by incorporating CNTs in a membrane or substrate.

Abstract: Organic and organic/inorganic hybrid bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices with improved efficiencies are disclosed. The organic photovoltaic device comprises a photoactive polymer:fullerene C60-carbon nanotube (polymer:C60-CNT) composite as a component of the active layer. Under light irradiation, photoinduced charge separation at the polymer:C60 interface is followed by electron transfer from C60 onto CNTs for efficient electron transport towards an electrode. The organic/inorganic hybrid photovoltaic device comprises quantum dots and carbon nanotubes. Power conversion efficiency enhancement methods of polymer-CNT based photovoltaics are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for the production and application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on structures. Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatus, systems, and methods for the production of CNTs in an open tubular configuration on the inside surface of a steel capillary tubing. Disclosed embodiments of means for the production of CNTs include, self-assembly through a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Applications of the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed generally relate to sorbency, and more particularly, include adsorption, separation, and chromatographical application. Disclosed embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods, for the production of high performance stationary phases of CNTs with advantageous temperate stability for high resolution chromatographical applications.

Abstract: An active coating system capable of collecting, analyzing, managing and adapting to data and/or its environment in real time. An exemplary embodiment of our inventive active coating system is corrosion resistant and includes a flexible sensor layer, a switch layer and a visual display layer. Operationally, the flexible sensor layer senses particular environmental conditions and the visual display layer provides visual indication of the condition(s) sensed.

Abstract: Devices for enhancing the sensitivity of a microsensor or any other micro device by providing on-line preconcentration. Microconcentrators that can be integrated with a sensor or a micromachined GC to enhance the signal to noise ratio can include a miniaturized sorbent trap fabricated on a microchip. The microconcentrator can be made on a silicon substrate so that a sensor can be integrated on the same chip. The microconcentrator is composed of at least one microchannel lined with a microheater for in-situ heating. Preconcentration may be achieved on a thin-film polymeric layer deposited above the heater in the microchannel. Rapid heating by the channel heater generates a “desorption pulse” to be injected into a detector or a sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming, producing or manufacturing functionalized nanomaterials, and, specifically, soluble functionalized nanomaterials. The presently described invention also relates to nanomaterial-based composites consisting of a target material, which can include ceramic, polymer, or metallic matrices incorporated into or grown on nanomaterials, as well as a method or synthesis technique for the formation, production, or manufacture of nanomaterial-based composites through microwave-induced reaction.

Abstract: An active coating system capable of collecting, analyzing, managing and adapting to data and/or its environment in real time. An exemplary embodiment of our inventive active coating system is corrosion resistant and includes a flexible sensor layer, a switch layer and a visual display layer. Operationally, the flexible sensor layer senses particular environmental conditions and the visual display layer provides visual indication of the condition(s) sensed.

Abstract: A device is provided for enhancing the sensitivity of a microsensor (or any other micro device) by providing on-line preconcentration. A microconcentrator is provided on a silicon substrate that can be integrated with a sensor or a micromachined GC to enhance the signal to noise ratio. In one embodiment the microconcentrator comprises a miniaturized sorbent trap fabricated on a microchip. In a preferred embodiment the microconcentrator is made on a silicon substrate so that a sensor can be integrated on the same chip. In practice the microconcentrator is put on-line with a sample stream and may be operated at a fixed frequency. The microconcentrator is composed of at least one microchannel etched in silicon. The channel is lined with a microheater for in-situ heating. In a most preferred embodiment preconcentration is done on a thin-film polymeric layer deposited above the heater in the channel.

Abstract: Microfabricated heaters for microfluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip applications comprising channels using deposited conductors such as sputtered metal, alloys, polymers and composites thereof; or conductors prepared by ion implantation, and methods for fabricating same are disclosed. Rapid heating to temperatures above 360° C. and rapid cooling is possible using these microheaters. Repeated heating does not lead to the microheater devices weakening or burning out. Preferred embodiments include application of spin-on-glass on the microheater surface.