Shaping nanostructure arrays

US10138120B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Anastasios John Hart · Newton, US
• Sameh Tawfick · Champaign, US
• Michael DeVolder · Estero, US
• Davor Copic · Cambridge, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 5, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B82Y40/00
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Nanostructured assemblies are manufactured by condensing an evaporated wetting agent onto a nanostructure array formed from a plurality of generally aligned carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures. The condensed wetting agent draws the individual nanostructures together to form various geometries of nanostructured assemblies based on various parameters including process variables and the starting shape and dimensional features of the nanostructure array. Various simple and complex geometries can be achieved in this manner, including geometries that are curved, bent, or twisted. Adjacent nanostructure arrays of the same or different starting geometries can be shaped into compound or interrelating structures. Additional process steps such as plasma etching, coating and others can be used to control the shaping and structural attributes of the nanostructured assemblies. A method of making a molded replica of a shaped nanostructure array is also disclosed.