Metal refinement and metal composite materials using carbon nanotubes
AssigneeIowa State Univercity Recearch Foundation, Inc.
InventorsMichael Richard Kessler, Danny Vennerberg, Rafael Lopes Quirino
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Abstract
The present invention relates to metals and matrix composites and methods of manufacture. A method of refining a metal oxide is shown. A method of forming a carbon nanotube metal matrix composite is shown using a metal oxide and an amount of carbon nanotubes. Processing is carried out using wave energy radiation such as microwave radiation. In some methods, processing is carried out while substantially isolated from external oxygen sources such as ambient air.
Claims30
A method, comprising:
- combining an amount of carbon nanotubes with an amount of a metal oxide to form a starting material;
- heating the starting material using wave energy radiation;
- and
- reducing the metal oxide to form a metal.
A method, comprising:
- combining an amount of carbon nanotubes with an amount of a metal oxide to form a starting material;
- substantially isolating the starting material from external oxygen;
- heating the starting material using microwave radiation;
- and
- reducing the metal oxide to form a metal matrix encapsulating at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes.
A method, comprising:
- combining an amount of carbon nanotubes with an amount of a powdered metal oxide;
- mixing the amount of carbon nanotubes with the amount of powdered metal oxide to form a substantially homogenous starting material;
- substantially isolating the starting material from external oxygen;
- heating the starting material using microwave radiation;
- and
- reducing the metal oxide to form a metal matrix encapsulating at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes.
A metal matrix composite, comprising:
- a reduced metal oxide matrix;
- and
- a carbon nanotube dispersed phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.