Seldon Technologies, LLC (Woodstock, VT) reveal a method of fusing carbon nanotubes together to form a super tough three-dimensional structure in U.S. Patent 7,682,654. Nanotubes generally have an average diameter in the inclusive range of from 1-60 nm and an average length in the inclusive range of from 0.1 micron to 250 millimeters.
According to inventors Christopher H. Cooper and Alan G. Cummings the manufacturing methods include a batch type process, as well as multi-step recycling methods or continuous single-step methods. A wide range of articles may be made from the nanostructured material, including fabrics, ballistic mitigation materials, structural supports, mechanical actuators, heat sink, thermal conductor, and membranes for fluid purification.
In the most general sense, the method of making the nanostructured material comprises dispersing nanotubes in an appropriate fluid, with or without surfactants, to form a nanotube aliquot, depositing the nanotube aliquot onto a porous substrate in an amount sufficient to obtain a substantially stable interlocking monolithic structure, and fusing the carbon nanotubes together to form a three dimensional nanostructure.
The manufacturing technique includes a multi-step recycling method of making a three-dimensional nanostructure, comprising (1) growing carbon nanotubes in a reactor; (2) fusing the grown nanotubes to form a three dimensional nanostructure; (3) performing a catalytic procedure on the three-dimensional nanostructure; (4) repeating (1) to (3) for a time sufficient to achieve a desired thickness or property for the three-dimensional nanostructure.
The process can be used to manufacture ballistic cloth which is a material in a shape of a cloth that will protect personnel or equipment from projectile impact. The ballistic cloth with carbon nanotubes may be combined with polymers, ceramics, and metals in an amount sufficient to mitigate blast forces from projectiles or explosives coming into contact with the ballistic cloth. This type of material may comprise a component of body armor, vehicle armor, bullet-proof vests, shields, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, cargo containers, shipping containers, storage boxes and containers, building shielding materials, and structural components of vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, and train cars.
More generally, a fabric made from or comprising the nanostructured material may be used in a garment or article of clothing to be worn or to cover a person or animal. The fused carbon nanotubes can also cover a vehicle, aircraft, spacecraft, train car, or generally any equipment or structure which may benefit from the mechanical, electrical, and/or thermal properties associated with the carbon nanotubes.
The manufacturing technique includes a multi-step recycling method of making a three-dimensional nanostructure, comprising (1) growing carbon nanotubes in a reactor; (2) fusing the grown nanotubes to form a three dimensional nanostructure; (3) performing a catalytic procedure on the three-dimensional nanostructure; (4) repeating (1) to (3) for a time sufficient to achieve a desired thickness or property for the three-dimensional nanostructure.
The process can be used to manufacture ballistic cloth which is a material in a shape of a cloth that will protect personnel or equipment from projectile impact. The ballistic cloth with carbon nanotubes may be combined with polymers, ceramics, and metals in an amount sufficient to mitigate blast forces from projectiles or explosives coming into contact with the ballistic cloth. This type of material may comprise a component of body armor, vehicle armor, bullet-proof vests, shields, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, cargo containers, shipping containers, storage boxes and containers, building shielding materials, and structural components of vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, and train cars.
More generally, a fabric made from or comprising the nanostructured material may be used in a garment or article of clothing to be worn or to cover a person or animal. The fused carbon nanotubes can also cover a vehicle, aircraft, spacecraft, train car, or generally any equipment or structure which may benefit from the mechanical, electrical, and/or thermal properties associated with the carbon nanotubes.
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