(thanks to donpat, raging bull, for the link)

Carbon nanotube-reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are so long that they cannot be penetrated inbetween carbon fibers during a prepreg preparation process, and are shortened in order for them not to be filtered out by the carbon fibers. This results in a huge improvement of the mechanical properties (flexural strength and flexural modulus) compared with neat epoxy.

Inventors:
Mao; Dongsheng (Austin, TX), Yaniv; Zvi (Austin, TX)
Assignee:
Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. (Austin, TX)
Appl. No.:
12/180,359
Filed:
July 25, 2008

What is claimed is:

1. A composite material carbon nanotubes, a polymer, and carbon fibers, wherein an average length of the carbon nanotubes is less than 2 .mu.m, wherein the carbon nanotubes are impregnated into gaps between individual ones of a weave of the carbon fibers, wherein the weave comprises the carbon fibers oriented in a unidirectional manner to each other, wherein the carbon nanotubes are impregnated into gaps between individual ones of the carbon fibers oriented in the unidirectional manner to each other, wherein the polymer comprises a bisphenol-A epoxy resin, wherein the loading of the carbon nanotubes is 1.0 wt. %.

http://is.gd/ve5mCB