US Patent:
20120126449, May 24, 2012
Inventors:
Anastasios John Hart - Ann Arbor MI, US
Sameh Tawfick - Ann Arbor MI, US
Michael DeVolder - Heverlee, BE
Davor Copic - Ann Arbor MI, US
Assignee:
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Ann Arbor MI
International Classification:
B29C 41/00
B05D 3/12
B22D 23/00
B29C 41/38
B29C 41/42
B05D 3/10
B05D 5/00
B82Y 40/00
US Classification:
264220, 427444, 427256, 427258, 164 6, 977842
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.