Controlled deposition and alignment of carbon nanotubes

A method for the deposition and alignment of carbon nanotubes, comprising the steps of:

• providing an assembly that comprises a substrate having at least two electrodes supported thereon and opposing one another with a gap region being defined therebetween;
• depositing a CNT attraction material on at least portions of each of said two opposing electrodes and on said substrate in said gap region between said portions of each of said two opposing electrodes;
• applying an electric potential to said two opposing electrodes wherein an electric field is generated across said gap region;
• wetting said CNT attraction material with a solution defined by a carrier liquid having CNTs suspended therein with said carrier liquid selected to minimize van der Waal forces between said CNTs suspended therein, wherein said carrier liquid is chosen to avoid clumping of said CNTs, wherein a first portion of said CNTs are aligned with said electric field and adhered to said CNT attraction material, and wherein a second portion of said CNTs are not adhered to said CNT attraction material;
• and
• removing said electric potential, said carrier liquid and said second portion of said CNTs from said assembly.

A method for he deposition and alignment of carbon nanotubes, comprising the steps of:

• providing an assembly that comprises a substrate having at least two electrodes supported thereon and opposing one another with a gap region being defined therebetween;
• depositing a monolayer material on said substrate in said gap region, said monolayer material being capable of forming at least one hydrogen bond with a sidewall of a carbon nanotube when coming into contact therewith;
• applying an electric potential to said two opposing electrodes wherein an electric field is generated across said gap region;
• wetting said monolayer material with a solution defined by a carrier liquid having CNTs suspended therein with said carrier liquid selected to minimize van der Waal forces between said CNTs suspended therein, wherein said carrier liquid is chosen to avoid clumping of said CNTs, wherein a first portion of said CNTs are aligned with said electric field, come into contact with said monolayer material and are bonded thereto, and wherein a second portion of said CNTs do not come into contact with said monolayer material and are not bonded thereto;
• and
• removing said carrier liquid and said second portion of said CNTs from said assembly.