Aligned carbon nanotube-polymer materials, systems and methods

摘要

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 nano structures 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. The architecture of the plurality of nanotubes defines at least one orientation for a plurality of nanotubes, and also defines the approximate spacing between nanotubes and/or groups of nanotubes. The carbon nanotube architecture is at least partially embedded with a polymer matrix in a manner that the architecture is stabilized in the predetermined architecture. The polymer matrix may also be formed to have a desired predetermined thickness.

主权项

1. A carbon nanotube/polymer composite material comprising,
a plurality of carbon nanostructures formed into a predetermined architecture, each of the plurality of nanostructures having a substantially predetermined width and length, and the architecture of the plurality of nanostructures defining at least one orientation for a plurality of nanostructures, and defining the approximate spacing between nanostructures and/or groups of nanostructures, the carbon nanostructures architecture being at least partially embedded within a polymer matrix in a manner that the architecture is stabilized in the predetermined architecture, with the polymer matrix formed to have a substantially predetermined thickness, the carbon nanostructures being substantially vertically aligned and extending uniformly in one direction only, the carbon nanostructures architecture and polymer matrix being positionable between a first surface and a second surface, and the carbon nanostructures maintaining their substantial vertical alignment and uniform one-direction extension when the carbon nanostructures architecture and polymer matrix are positioned between, and under strain from, the first and second surfaces.