Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making nanofiber yarns. In some embodiments, the nanotube yarns comprise carbon nanotubes. Particularly, such carbon nanotube yarns of the present invention provide unique properties and property combinations such as extreme toughness, resistance to failure at knots, high electrical and thermal conductivities, high absorption of energy that occurs reversibly, up to 13% strain-to-failure compared with the few percent strain-to-failure of other fibers with similar toughness, very high resistance to creep, retention of strength even when heated in air at 450° C. for one hour, and very high radiation and UV resistance, even when irradiated in air.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for decapping single wall carbon nanotubes and purifying the decapped single wall carbon nanotubes. The disclosed methods include the steps of oxidizing the single wall carbon nanotubes to remove the terminal end cap and subsequently acid washing the single wall carbon nanotubes to remove the catalyst particles. The resulting carbon nanotubes have improved BET surface area and pore volume.

Abstract: The assembly for an aircraft comprises: at least one device; a part such as a support; and at least one damper via which the device bears against the part, the damper comprising carbon nanotubes covered at at least one of their ends by a layer having a diamond type crystal structure.

Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube structure is introduced. The method includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube precursor including a number of carbon nanotubes is provided. The carbon nanotube precursor is placed in a chamber with low oxygen environment. The carbon nanotube precursor is heated in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nanoscale cage of a material suitable for forming a molecular layer, including a step of shaping and packaging an object in the general shape of a revolving cylinder, the shaping and packaging step being adapted according to the position of the value of the diameter of the revolving cylinder relative to a threshold below which a folding of the ends of the cylinder is promoted.

Abstract: Fabrication methods for selective membranes that include aligned nanotubes can advantageously include a mechanical polishing step. The nanotubes have their ends closed off during the step of infiltrating a polymer precursor around the nanotubes. This prevents polymer precursor from flowing into the nanotubes. The polishing step is performed after the polymer matrix is formed, and can open up the ends of the nanotubes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure including a nanoribbon-containing layer of alternating graphene nanoribbons separated by alternating insulating ribbons. The alternating graphene nanoribbons are parallel to a surface of an underlying substrate and, in some embodiments, might be oriented along crystallographic directions of the substrate. The alternating insulating ribbons may comprise hydrogenated graphene, i.e., graphane, fluorinated graphene, or fluorographene. The semiconductor structure mentioned above can be formed by selectively converting portions of an initial graphene layer into alternating insulating ribbons, while the non-converted portions of the initial graphene form the alternating graphene nanoribbons. Semiconductor devices such as, for example, field effect transistors, can be formed atop the semiconductor structure provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: An improved method of synthesizing nanotubes that avoids the slow process and the impurities or defects that are usually encountered with regard to as-grown carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, nanotubes are synthesized from nanotubes providing a novel catalyst-free growth method for direct growth of single- or multi-walled, metallic or semiconducting nanotubes.

Abstract: Provided are aligned carbon nanotubes for a fuel cell having a large surface area, a nanocomposite that includes the aligned carbon nanotubes loaded with highly dispersed nanoparticles of a metallic catalyst, methods of producing the carbon nanotubes and the nanocomposite, and a fuel cell including the nanocomposite. In the nanocomposite, nanoparticles of the metallic catalyst are uniformly distributed on external walls of the nanotubes. A fuel cell including the nanocomposite exhibits better performance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention relates to new processes to simultaneously shorten and functionalize raw or purified carbon nanotubes to improve their dispersity and processibility, and the short functionalized nanotubes that may be made by the processes. This present invention also relates to new compositions of matter using short functionalized carbon nanotubes with thermoset, thermoplastic polymers, high temperature polymers, and other materials; the processes for making such composite materials; and the products of said processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for making carbon nanotube slurry. The method includes the following steps. First, a carbon nanotube array is provided on a substrate, the carbon nanotube array comprises a number of carbon nanotubes. Second, the carbon nanotube array is trimmed by a laser to obtain a trimmed carbon nanotube array comprising a plurality of trimmed carbon nanotubes having uniform lengths. Third, the trimmed carbon nanotube array is removed from the substrate to obtain the trimmed carbon nanotubes. Fourth, the trimmed carbon nanotubes are mixed with an inorganic binder and an organic carrier to obtain the carbon nanotube slurry.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) by controlled unzipping of structures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by etching (e.g., argon plasma etching) of nanotubes partly embedded in a polymer film. The GNRs have smooth edges and a narrow width distribution (2-20 nm). Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements reveal the high quality of the GNRs. Such a method of unzipping CNTs with well-defined structures in an array will allow the production of GNRs with controlled widths, edge structures, placement and alignment in a scalable fashion for device integration. GNRs may be formed from nanostructures in a controlled array to form arrays of parallel or overlapping structures. Also disclosed is a method in which the CNTs are in a predetermined pattern that is carried over and transferred to a substrate for forming into a semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the electron transport property measurements of a molecule when the molecule is placed between chemically functionalized carbon-based nanoscopic electrodes to which a suitable voltage bias is applied. The invention includes selecting a dopant atom for the nanoscopic electrodes, the dopant atoms being chemically similar to atoms present in the molecule, and functionalizing the outer surface and terminations of the electrodes with the dopant atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a method to create an enhanced carbon nanotube spaceframe network. The spaceframe network contains an assembly of regiofunctional carbon nanotube beams by crown-to-crown connection into nodes to form a networked lattice configuration. The inventive method includes selecting crown materials and applying appropriate processing conditions which result in the production of secondary forms. The crown materials include polymers with unsaturated sites, polymeric crowns, silicon boron, poly(hydridocarbyne). The processing conditions include radical initiation, vulcanization, pyrolysis, hydroboration at unsaturation sites, using silicon bearing polymers in the Rf-CNB crowns, dissolution of silicon containing organics into the nodes and poly(hydridocarbyne). The secondary forms include cross-linked polymers, carbonized, graphitized, ceramic, diamond-like along with tailored functionalization.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a regiofunctional carbon nanotube beam structures and a method the same. The regiofunctional carbon nanotube beam structures contain chemical moieties attached selectively to the ends and/or the sidewalls of the nanotube which differentiate the physico-chemical properties of the nanotube ends from the physico-chemical of the sidewalls to enable directed self-assembly. The method comprises the steps including opening carbon nanotube ends, protecting those ends from sidewall functionalization chemistry by chemically differentiating the open carbon nanotube ends from the nanotube sidewall, functionalizing the sidewalls, functionalizing the ends of the carbon nanotube and attaching crown to ends.

Abstract: A carbon nanohorn (CNH) is oxidized to make an opening in the side of the CNH. A substance to be included, e.g., a metal, is introduced through the opening. The inclusion substance is moved to a tip part of the carbon nanohorn through heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas. The CNH is further heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen in a low concentration to remove the carbon layer in the tip through catalysis of the inclusion substance. This exposes the inclusion substance. If the inclusion substance is a metal which is not moved to a tip part by the heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas, the carbon part surrounding the fine catalyst particle is specifically burned by a heat treatment in an low oxygen concentration atmosphere, while utilizing the catalysis. Thus, the fine catalyst particle is fixed to the tip part of the CNH.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube structure is introduced. The method includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube precursor including a number of carbon nanotubes is provided. The carbon nanotube precursor is placed in a chamber with low oxygen environment. The carbon nanotube precursor is heated in the chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a carbon nanotube fragment. In particular, this invention provides a method of producing a carbon nanotube fragment by the steps of 1) dispersing a carbon nanotube in a mixed acid of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, and 2) subjecting the dispersed carbon nanotube to an oxidation treatment to obtain a dispersion of carbon nanotube fragment in the mixed acid. Preferably, in the oxidation treatment the dispersed carbon nanotube is oxidized with a hydrogen peroxide added in the mixed acid.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube device includes a flexible substrate and a patterned carbon nanotube layer. The flexible substrate defines a plurality of recesses. The patterned carbon nanotube layer is formed on the flexible substrate. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotube arrays. Each carbon nanotube array is fixedly attached in the corresponding recess.

Abstract: The formation of arrays of fullerene nanotubes is described. A microscopic molecular array of fullerene nanotubes is formed by assembling subarrays of up to 106 fullerene nanotubes into a composite array.

Abstract: A method of separating, concentrating or purifying uniform carbon nanotubes with desired properties (diameter, chiral vector, etc) in a highly sensitive manner by the use of structure-sensitive properties peculiar to carbon nanotubes; and an apparatus therefor. There is provided a method of separating, concentrating, or purifying carbon nanotubes with the desired properties contained in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) irradiating a sample containing carbon nanotubes with light; and (b) selecting carbon nanotubes with desired properties. In a preferred embodiment, the light irradiation of the step (a) can be carried out in the presence of a metal so as to cause specified carbon nanotubes to selectively induce a photocatalytic reaction, resulting in metal deposition. Further, in a preferred embodiment, a given magnetic filed can be applied in the steps (b) so as to attain accumulation or concentration or carbon nanotubes with metal deposited.

Abstract: A method for preparing an iridium tip with atomic sharpness. The method includes tapering an iridium wire to a needle shape and heating the iridium needle in an oxygen atmosphere. Also disclosed is an iridium needle having a pyramidal structure which terminates with a small number of atoms prepared by the methods.

Abstract: A method for joining nanotubes end-to-end, includes contacting the nanotubes with a joining fluid. The joining fluid has at least one property that is different from at least one property associated with ends of the nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method further includes contacting the nanotubes with a first, treating fluid and removing the bulk first fluid before the nanotubes are contacted with the joining fluid. The joining fluid is immiscible in the treating fluid to effect end-to-end joining of the nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fibers of epitaxially grown single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and methods of making same. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (a) providing a spun SWNT fiber; (b) cutting the fiber substantially perpendicular to the fiber axis to yield a cut fiber; (c) etching the cut fiber at its end with a plasma to yield an etched cut fiber; (d) depositing metal catalyst on the etched cut fiber end to form a continuous SWNT fiber precursor; and (e) introducing feedstock gases under SWNT growth conditions to grow the continuous SWNT fiber precursor into a continuous SWNT fiber.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting and an interconnect is provided to connect a first component and a second component of an integrated circuit. The interconnect includes a plurality of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), which provide a conducting path between the first component and the second component. The interconnect further includes a passivation layer to fill the gaps between adjacent CNTs. A method of producing Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF) and an ACF is provided. The ACF includes a plurality of CNTs, which provide a conducting path between a first side of the ACF and a second side of the ACF. The sides of the ACF can also include a conductive curable adhesive layer. In an embodiment, the conductive curable adhesive layer can incorporate a B-stage cross-linkable polymer and silver particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano particle phosphor with superior luminous characteristic formed using nitride semiconductor material, a method of manufacturing the phosphor with high production yield, and a light emitting device using the phosphor. The phosphor is formed of a columnar crystal having a diameter of at most 3 nm, a light emitting region and a light absorbing region are defined in the columnar crystal, and the light emitting region and the light absorbing region are adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the columnar crystal.

Abstract: An electron emission device is provided which has sufficient on/off characteristics and is capable of efficiently emitting electrons with a low voltage. An electron emission device includes a substrate, a cathode electrode, a gate electrode, which are arranged on the substrate, an insulation layer covering the surface of the cathode electrode, and a dipole layer formed by terminating the surface of the insulation layer with hydrogen.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing hydrophilic carbon nanotubes, which is capable of imparting hydrophilicity without damaging the surface of the carbon nanotubes. By irradiating carbon nanotubes 4 with ultraviolet ray 3, hydrophilic functional group(s) are introduced into the surface of carbon nanotubes 4. Hydrophilicity is imparted to the carbon nanotubes to such an extent that a contact angle of water is in the range of less than 130°. Ultraviolet ray 3 is a far ultraviolet ray having a wavelength ranging from 1 to 190 nm. The irradiation with ultraviolet ray 3 is conducted in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen or in the presence of ozone and hydrogen. The end part(s) of carbon nanotubes 4 is opened by the irradiation with ultraviolet ray 3.

Abstract: A hierarchical structure that has at least one carbon nanotube extending radially from a nanofiber substrate and related methods of use and manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for producing functionalised short carbon nanotubes with at least one open tip by mechanical treatment of long carbon nanotubes, wherein said long nanotubes are submitted to mechanical milling forces in the presence of a reactant able to chemically react with the nanotubes so that short carbon nanotubes comprising at least one specific chemical group are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing fullerene nanotube catalyst supports and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, fullerene nanotubes or fullerene nanotube structures can be employed as the support material. A transition metal catalyst is added to the fullerene nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst metal cluster is deposited on the open nanotube end by a docking process that insures optimum location for the subsequent growth reaction. The metal atoms may be subjected to reductive conditions.

Abstract: A thermal interface material (40) includes a macromolecular material (32), and a plurality of carbon nanotubes (22) embedded in the macromolecular material uniformly. The thermal interface material includes a first surface (42) and an opposite second surface (44). Each carbon nanotube is open at both ends thereof, and extends from the first surface to the second surface of the thermal interface material. A method for manufacturing the thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) forming an array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate; (b) submerging the carbon nanotubes in a liquid macromolecular material; (c) solidifying the liquid macromolecular material; and (d) cutting the solidified liquid macromolecular material to obtain the thermal interface material with the carbon nanotubes secured therein.

Abstract: A graphitized fine carbon fiber comprising a hollow space extending along its center axis, and a plurality of graphene sheets, wherein the fiber has an end surface comprising a portion of discontinuity in which ends of graphene sheets are not bonded to one another and at least one portion of continuity comprised of at least one group of graphene sheets in which one graphene sheet is bonded to another graphene sheet adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A method for the self assembly of a macroscopic structure with a pre-formed nano object is provided. The method includes processing a nano object to a desired aspect ratio and chemical functionality and mixing the processed nano object with a solvent to form a suspension. Upon formation of the suspension, a substrate is inserted into the suspension. By either evaporation of the solvent, changing the pH value of the suspension, or changing the temperature of the suspension, the nano objects within the suspension deposit onto the substrate in an orientational order. In addition, a seed crystal may be used in place of the substrate thereby forming single-crystals and free-standing membranes of the nano-objects.

Abstract: A method is described for providing a nanostructure suspended above a substrate surface. The method includes providing a nanostructure encased in an oxide shell on a substrate and depositing a sacrificial material and a support material over the oxide encased nanostructure. Then, the sacrificial material is removed to expose the oxide encased nanostructure. Once the oxide encased nanostructure has been exposed, the oxide shell is removed from the oxide encased nanostructure such that the nanostructure is suspended above the substrate surface.