Methods for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabrics and films
First Claim
1. A method for arranging nanotube elements within a nanotube fabric layer, comprising:
- forming a nanotube fabric layer by depositing a plurality of nanotube elements in suspension over a material layer, said nanotube fabric layer comprising a plurality of deposited nanotube elements and wherein said nanotube fabric layer is a freely formed, fixed nanotube fabric layer and at least a portion of said nanotube elements within said nanotube fabric layer are unordered; and
translating a directional force with a component normal to said nanotube fabric layer across said nanotube fabric layer to arrange at least a portion of said nanotube elements into an ordered network.
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Abstract
A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.
83 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for arranging nanotube elements within a nanotube fabric layer, comprising:
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forming a nanotube fabric layer by depositing a plurality of nanotube elements in suspension over a material layer, said nanotube fabric layer comprising a plurality of deposited nanotube elements and wherein said nanotube fabric layer is a freely formed, fixed nanotube fabric layer and at least a portion of said nanotube elements within said nanotube fabric layer are unordered; and translating a directional force with a component normal to said nanotube fabric layer across said nanotube fabric layer to arrange at least a portion of said nanotube elements into an ordered network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification