Method and Apparatus for Carbon Nanotube Alignment

UW ID: 19-080

 

Description of Technology

          Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are a new material that have many different applications in electronics, as well as applications in materials and batteries that are still being researched and discovered. SWCNTs are carbon tubes with diameters of close to one nanometer, and lengths that can be millions of times longer. The nanotubes are usually used by aligning many to create bundles that have remarkable properties along the axis of alignment, including low mass density, high electron mobility, large current-carrying capability, high thermal conductivity, and large aspect ratio. These properties rely heavily on having all of the nanotubes aligned on the same axis; if they are not, the effectiveness of the properties decreases substantially.

          Researchers at the University of Wyoming have invented a technology that creates SWCNT films with true global alignment. The technology works by flowing a liquid solution of carbon nanotubes at a constant rate through a pressure-controlled system to align the nanotubes, and then flattens them to remove unwanted spherulite formation on the film. The process is also automated, which not only removes human control and error, but also enables production upscaling.

Applications

          The true global alignment of the carbon nanotubes in the films allows for more consistent properties from film to film. Such consistency can make research more repeatable and allows for the film to have the best possible properties. The automation of this process also enables upscaling of production to make large manufacturing more feasible.

Features & Benefits

• Creates single-walled carbon nanotube films with true global alignment

• Automated to eliminate human control and error

• Possible to upscale production

Downloadable PDF: 19-080

Inventors: 

William D. Rice

Jeffrey A. Fagan

 

Patent Status:  

Patent Pending

 

Contact Us: 

University of Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center 

Dept. 3672

1000 E. University Ave. 

Laramie, WY 

82071 

Phone: 307-766-2520

Fax: 307-766-2530

Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu