SBIR Phase I: Dry Nano Adhesive Based on Carbon Nanotubes

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project will develop a flexible, reusable, two-sided, dry, thermally and electrically conductive adhesive film consisting of a dense vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) embedded in a flexible polymer matrix. The polymer chosen as the matrix is Parylene. The CNTs protrude from the polymer matrix to form an active adhesive interface. When the film is attached to a target surface, significant van der Waals (vdW) attraction occurs between the CNTs and the target surface. The vdW adhesion is unaffected by vacuum or moisture, does not require applied pressure and, therefore, can provide a universally effective adhesion mechanism. Consequently, the proposed product can be used as a replacement for many other and less convenient kinds of fasteners and fixtures, saving time and money due to its ease of use and more optimal design..