Self-Assembled Thin Films of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes were discovered in 1991 by S. Iijima. These are large macromoleculesthat are unique for their size, shape, and remarkable physical properties. In particular, the thermal and electrical conductivity of nanotubes promises improvements in next generation electronic and computer systems, in addition to potential applications in multifunctional structures. Luna Innovations proposes to demonstrate the construction of a new class of thin-film polymeric-nanotube composite materials using the recently developed self-assembly process. The resulting thin films will form a nanostructured composite which not only incorporates the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the nanotubes, but in addition may be used to produce micropatterned structures automatically during the deposition process.