Abstract: A carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate adhered to the carbon nanostructure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Carbon nanostructures can be agglomerated with one another and densified to form a carbon nanostructure layer in which at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes in each carbon nanostructure are aligned substantially parallel to one another. Methods for forming a carbon nanostructure layer can include providing a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of a growth substrate adhered to each carbon nanostructure, and forming a carbon nanostructure layer by depositing the carbon nanostructures on a surface.

Abstract: A shielded wire includes a carbon nanostructure (CNS)-shielding layer including a CNS material in a matrix material, the CNS-shielding layer being monolithic and disposed about a dielectric layer and a conducting wire, wherein the dielectric layer is disposed between the CNS-shielding layer and the conducting wire. An extruded thermoplastic jacket includes a CNS material, the extruded thermoplastic jacket being configured to protect at least one wire. A thermoplastic article includes a CNS-infused fiber material and a flexible thermoplastic.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures can convey enhanced electrical conductivity to various substrates, while maintaining a high surface area and low density per unit area. Such substrates can provide good shielding against electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of frequencies. Electrically conductive structures can include a support layer containing a plurality of fibers having apertures defined between the fibers, and a plurality of carbon nanostructures at least partially conformally coating the fibers and bridging across the apertures defined between adjacent fibers to form a continuous carbon nanostructure layer. Each carbon nanostructure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials containing substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are described herein. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials contain a fiber material and a layer of carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, where the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber material and at least a portion of the substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are crosslinked to each other, to the fiber material, or both. Crosslinking can occur through covalent bonding or pi-stacking interactions, for example. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials can further contain additional carbon nanotubes that are grown on the layer of substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes. Composite materials containing the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials and methods for production of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials are also described herein.

Abstract: A method includes a providing a molten glass fiber core and disposing a plurality of nanoparticles that include a transition metal oxide on the molten glass fiber core at or above the softening temperature of the glass fiber core, thereby forming a nanoparticle-laden glass fiber. The plurality of nanoparticles are embedded at the surface of said glass fiber core. A method includes providing a mixture of molten glass and a plurality of nanoparticles. The plurality of nanoparticles include a transition metal. The method further includes forming nanoparticle-laden glass fibers, in which the plurality of nanoparticles are embedded throughout the glass fibers.

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: Processes for growing carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber substrates are described herein. The processes can include depositing a catalyst precursor on a carbon fiber substrate, optionally depositing a non-catalytic material on the carbon fiber substrate, and after depositing the catalyst precursor and the optional non-catalytic material, exposing the carbon fiber substrate to carbon nanotube growth conditions so as to grow carbon nanotubes thereon. The carbon nanotube growth conditions can convert the catalyst precursor into a catalyst that is operable for growing carbon nanotubes. The carbon fiber substrate can remain stationary or be transported while the carbon nanotubes are being grown. Optionally, the carbon fiber substrates can include a barrier coating and/or be free of a sizing agent. Carbon fiber substrates having carbon nanotubes grown thereon are also described.

Abstract: Methods for growing carbon nanotubes on glass substrates, particularly glass fiber substrates, are described herein. The methods can include depositing a catalytic material or a catalyst precursor on a glass substrate; depositing a non-catalytic material on the glass substrate prior to, after, or concurrently with the catalytic material or catalyst precursor; and exposing the glass substrate to carbon nanotube growth conditions so as to grow carbon nanotubes thereon. The glass substrate, particularly a glass fiber substrate, can be transported while the carbon nanotubes are being grown thereon. Catalyst precursors can be converted into a catalyst when exposed to carbon nanotube growth conditions. The catalytic material or catalyst precursor and the non-catalytic material can be deposited from a solution containing water as a solvent. Illustrative deposition techniques include, for example, spray coating and dip coating.

Abstract: Electrical devices containing continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes are described herein. The electrical devices contain at least a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, where the first and second electrode layers each contain a plurality of continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the electrical devices can be supercapacitors, further containing at least a base plate, a layer of separator material disposed between the first and second electrode layers, and an electrolyte in contact with the first and second electrode layers. The first and second electrode layers can be formed by conformal winding of the continuous fibers. The electrical devices can contain any number of additional electrode layers, each being separated from one another by a layer of separator material. Methods for producing the electrical devices are also described herein.

Abstract: Electrical devices having a plurality of stacked electrode layers are described. At least one of the electrode layers contains continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes. The continuous fibers can be disposed upon an electrically conductive base plate. The electrical devices can further contain an electrolyte contacting each electrode layer and a layer of separator material disposed between each electrode layer, in which case the electrical devices can form a supercapacitor. Such supercapacitors can have a capacitance of at least about 1 Farad/gram of continuous fibers. The capacitance can be increased by coating at least a portion of the infused carbon nanotubes with a material such as, for example, a conducting polymer, a main group metal compound, and/or a transition metal compound. Methods for producing the electrical devices are also described.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures can convey enhanced electrical conductivity to various substrates, while maintaining a high surface area and low density per unit area. Such substrates can provide good shielding against electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of frequencies. Electrically conductive structures can include a support layer containing a plurality of fibers having apertures defined between the fibers, and a plurality of carbon nanostructures at least partially conformally coating the fibers and bridging across the apertures defined between adjacent fibers to form a continuous carbon nanostructure layer. Each carbon nanostructure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another.

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 can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another, thereby defining a porous space having a tortuous path within the carbon nanostructures. The porous space can be used for sequestering a range of particulate sizes from various types of substances. Separation membranes can include a separation body having an effective pore size of about 1 micron or less and providing a tortuous path for passage of a substance therethrough. The separation body can include carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: A carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate adhered to the carbon nanostructure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Carbon nanostructures can be agglomerated with one another and densified to form a carbon nanostructure layer in which at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes in each carbon nanostructure are aligned substantially parallel to one another. Methods for forming a carbon nanostructure layer can include providing a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of a growth substrate adhered to each carbon nanostructure, and forming a carbon nanostructure layer by depositing the carbon nanostructures on a surface.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures can be formed into polymer composites that are electrically conductive and highly reflective of microwave radiation, thereby facilitating transmission of the microwave radiation. Microwave transmission assemblies containing carbon nanostructures can include an elongate structure containing elongate opposing surfaces that extend the length of the elongate structure and that are spaced apart from one another with a channel region defined in between. The elongate opposing surfaces include a polymer composite containing a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures. Each carbon nanostructure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another.

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 carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. The carbon nanostructure can be released from a growth substrate in the form of a flake material. Optionally, the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanostructure can be coated, such as with a polymer, or a filler material can be present within the porosity of the carbon nanostructure. Methods for forming a carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate can include providing a carbon nanostructure adhered to a growth substrate, and removing the carbon nanostructure from the growth substrate to form a carbon nanostructure that is free of the growth substrate. Various techniques can be used to affect removal of the carbon nanostructure from the growth substrate. Isolation of the carbon nanostructure can further employ various wet and/or dry separation techniques.

Abstract: A large scale structure includes a plurality of panels, wherein each panel has at least one opening therethrough. And each panel has opposed edge profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels and opposed end profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels. A plurality of rods extend through aligned openings so as to interconnect the plurality of panels to one another. And a plurality of coupling nuts, each coupling nut attachable to an end of one of the rods, wherein the coupling nuts secure the panels to one another. An insert with apertures aligned with the openings allows a rod to extend through the insert and facilitate securement of the insert to the plurality of panels so as to form a section. Additional sections can be assembled as needed to form the structure.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a matrix material and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused fiber material that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to a fiber material. The CNT-infused fiber material is disposed throughout a portion of the matrix material. The composite structure is adapted for application of a current through the CNT-infused fiber material to provide heating of the composite structure. A heating element includes a CNT-infused fiber material includes a plurality of CNTs infused to a fiber material. The CNT-infused fiber material is of sufficient proportions to provide heating to a structure in need thereof.