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US 11,820,663 B2Granted
Crystalline film of carbon nanotubes
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsAbram L. Falk, Damon B. Farmer, Lynne M. Gignac
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A membrane is electrically charged to a polarity. A surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a solution is caused to acquire a charge of the polarity. The solution is filtered through the membrane. An electromagnetic repulsion between the membrane of the polarity and the CNTs of the polarity causes the CNTs to spontaneously align to form a crystalline structure.
Claims15
A method comprising:
- imparting a first electrical charge on a membrane;
- combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a solution that imparts a second electrical charge on surfaces of the CNTs and results in an electromagnetic repulsion between the membrane and the CNTs,
- wherein the membrane comprises pores that allow the solution to pass therethrough and block the CNTs from passing therethrough;
- and
- forming a film of aligned CNTs on a surface of the membrane by exposing the solution to a force that urges the solution through the membrane and thereby urges the CNTs against the membrane where the CNTs align in the presence of the electromagnetic repulsion,
- wherein the forming of the film by exposing the solution to a force comprises:
- exposing the solution to a first amount of force for a first period of time;
- exposing the solution to a second amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force for a second period of time;
- and
- exposing the solution to a third amount of force that is greater than the second amount of force for a third period of time.
7 more elements
An apparatus to manufacture a crystalline carbon nanotubes film (CCF), comprising:
- a membrane having a first electrical charge;
- a solution containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the solution imparting a second electrical charge on surfaces of the CNTs and results in an electromagnetic repulsion between the membrane and the CNTs,
- wherein the membrane comprises pores that allow the solution to pass therethrough and block the CNTs from passing therethrough;
- and
- a filtering mechanism that forms a film of aligned CNTs on the surface of the membrane by exposing the solution to a force that urges the solution through the membrane and thereby urges the CNTs against the membrane where the CNTs align in the presence of the electromagnetic repulsion,
- wherein the forming of the film by exposing the solution to a force comprises:
- exposing the solution to a first amount of force for a first period of time;
- exposing the solution to a second amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force for a second period of time;
- and
- exposing the solution to a third amount of force that is greater than the second amount of force for a third period of time.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.