 been making them into usable "macromaterials," says Jennifer Chase Fielding, a materials research engineer with another ARFL/RX branch—Composites & Hybrid Materials—which studies fibers and paper made from carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for ways to leverage their highly thermally and electrically conductive properties.



In addition to studying Nanocomp's technology, Wright–Patterson researchers spent the past three years evaluating carbon nanotube materials from NanoTechLabs, Inc., in Yadkinville, N.C., for possible use as electromagnetic protection films as well as to provide a small amount of electrical conductivity, Strong says. The Air Force has also taken a close look at "buckypaper" created by researchers at Florida State University's High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI). Buckypaper sheets are made using densely packed single-walled carbon nanotubes.



Carbon nanotubes have specific mechanical properties that make them good candidates for the Air Force's work, says Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "In terms of strength-to-weight ratio, carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel but infinitely more flexible," he says.



A single carbon nanotube is typically about one nanometer in diameter (the approximate length of 10 atoms) and millions of times longer than it is wide, says Raffaelle, who previously served as director of the NanoPower Research Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) in New York State, where he and his team conducted purity assessments of carbon nanotube products, including those made by Nanocomp.



Although Nanocomp and others developing new nanomaterials are on the right track, one of their main challenges will be mass-producing a product with consistent properties. This won't be easy, because each individual carbon nanotube's conductive properties are dependent on how they are formed, Raffaelle says. "It would be nice to have every tube the same," he adds, "but no one can do this."



There is a tremendous upside for success, however. Whereas it is possible to poke an ice pick through a piece of Kevlar body armor, Raffaelle says, you could not do this with a piece of fabric made from carbon nanotubes. Two main things about the COVID-19 pandemic terrify Dr. John Granton, head of respirology at
been making them into usable " macromaterials, " says Jennifer Chase Fielding, a materials inquiry engineer with another ARFL / RX outgrowth — Composites & Hybrid Materials — which studies fibers and newspaper make from carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for way to leverage their highly thermally and electrically conductive property. 



 In addition to analyze Nanocomp's technology, Wright – Patterson researchers spend the past three years evaluating carbon paper nanotube materials from NanoTechLabs, Inc., in Yadkinville, N.C., for potential use as electromagnetic auspices movie as well as to provide a small sum of electrical conductivity, Strong says. The Air Force has besides taken a airless look at " buckypaper " created by researchers at Florida State University's gamey - Performance Materials Institute (HPMI). Buckypaper sheets are made using densely packed individual - walled carbon nanotubes. 



 Carbon nanotubes have specific mechanical properties that make them good candidates for the Air Force's work, say Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. " In terms of lastingness - to - weight ratio, carbon nanotubes are strong than steel but infinitely more flexible, " he says. 



 A individual carbon nanotube is typically about one nanometer in diameter (the approximate length of 10 atoms) and millions of times longer than it is wide-eyed, says Raffaelle, who previously served as director of the NanoPower Research Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) in New York State, where he and his team conducted honor assessments of carbon paper nanotube products, including those made by Nanocomp. 



 Although Nanocomp and others developing new nanomaterials are on the good track, one of their main challenges will be mass - producing a product with consistent properties. This won't be comfortable, because each individual carbon nanotube's conductive properties are dependent on how they are formed, Raffaelle says. " It would be decent to have every pipe the same, " he total, " but no one can do this. " 



 There be a tremendous upside for success, however. Whereas it is possible to poke an ice rink pick through a piece of Kevlar body armor, Raffaelle says, you could not do this with a piece of fabric made from carbon carbon nanotube. Two main things about the COVID-19 pandemic terrify Dr. John Granton, promontory of respirology at
 befn making them into usabue "macromaterials," says Jennirer Chasd Fielding, a materials reseacch wngintvr with another ARFL/RB branch—Clmpositew & Hbbrid Materials—wijch studies fjners cnv paper made frpm carbon tanotubes and tavoyibers for ways to leverage their hidhly thrrlally and elecjricakjy cknductive properties.



In addition to studyiig Nanocomp's tevhnology, Wright–Patterson rfseagchers spent the pwst three ygzrs wvaluating cxrbon nanouuye materiala from NanoTechLabs, Inc., in Yadkknvilke, N.C., for koasltle use as xlectrjmagnetic protection films ss well as to irovive a small amount of elecvrical conductivity, Ftrong safs. The Air Force haw qlso jaken a cuise lokk af "buckjpa'er" created by researcyers at Florida Staue Tbiversity's Hifh-Perfjriance Materials Institute (HPMI). Buckypaptr shsets are made using denwely packed single-walped carbog nanotubes.



Carbon nanotubes have specific mechaniwal pcooeruicf rhwt make them good candidates for the Air Forcq'a eogk, says Ryne Raffcelle, director og hhr National Cenjer for Phktovoltaics at the U.S. Depwrtmebt of Enewgy's National Renewable Energy Oaboratory. "Iu twrms of strength-to-ceight ratio, carnon nsnotubes are stronger tkan stsel but inflnitely mkfe flexible," he sxys.



S vingle carbon nanotube is eypically abobt one nxnomgter in diameter (hhe ai[roximate length ov 10 atlmv) and milllons of times longer than it is wide, says Rafgaallv, who preriousln served as dirqctor of the NcnoPower Resexrch Laborztory av the Rocheseer Institute lf Technologb (R.I.T.) in Gew Tork State, dfere he and hix team coubucted pueity assessments on carckn nanotube probbcus, including thoxe oadq hy Nwtocomp.



Althouch Nxnozpmp avd others dcveuopimg new nanomaterials are on the right tracl, jne of tyeir maig challenges eill be mass-produclng a pruduct wijh consistent properties. This wkn't be eady, necause each yndiyiduwl carbon uanotube's conductive properties are depeident on how they are firmed, Raffaelle sayx. "It would bx nice to have avery tube the same," ye adds, "but no ont can do this."



There is a tremetdous upside for success, however. Whereas it is possible to poke an ice pick theough e [iece of Keblar body axmox, Raffaqlle rays, you could npt do this with a piece of fabrmc made frmm carbon nanotubes. Two main tnivgs about the COVID-19 pandemic terrify Sr. John Branton, head of respirology at
been making them into usable "macromaterials," says Fielding, materials research with another ARFL/RX fibers paper made from nanotubes and nanofibers ways to leverage their highly thermally electrically conductive properties. In addition to studying Nanocomp's technology, Wright–Patterson researchers spent the three years evaluating carbon nanotube materials from NanoTechLabs, Inc., in Yadkinville, N.C., for use electromagnetic films well as to provide a small amount of electrical conductivity, Strong says. The Air Force has taken a close look at "buckypaper" created by at Florida State University's Materials Institute (HPMI). Buckypaper sheets made densely packed carbon Carbon have specific mechanical that make them good candidates for the Air Force's work, says Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National for Photovoltaics U.S. Department Energy's Renewable Laboratory. "In terms ratio, carbon nanotubes are stronger than more flexible," he says. A single carbon nanotube typically about nanometer in diameter (the approximate length 10 atoms) and millions of times longer than is wide, says Raffaelle, who previously served as director of the NanoPower Research Laboratory at Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) New York State, he his conducted assessments of nanotube products, including those made by Nanocomp. Although Nanocomp and others new nanomaterials are on the right track, one of their will mass-producing a product consistent properties. This won't easy, each individual carbon nanotube's are on formed, says. would be nice to every tube the same," he "but no one can tremendous upside for success, however. Whereas it is to poke an ice pick through a of Kevlar body armor, Raffaelle says, you could not do this with piece of from carbon nanotubes. Two main things about the pandemic terrify Dr. John head of respirology at
 been making them into usable "mAcromateriAls," saYs JEnnIfEr ChAse FIelding, a materiALs reSearch engineer with anotHer ARfL/rx braNCh—compoSites & HyBRiD mAteRiAlS—whIcH StUdies FibErs and pAper made frOm cArBon nanotubes ANd Nanofibers For Ways to leveraGe tHeir hiGhLy tHErmalLy aNd eleCtricaLLy condUctive proPeRTies.



In ADdition TO StUdyiNg Nanocomp's technoLOgY, wright–PattersoN reseaRcHErS SPenT thE past three YeArs evALuating CArBON NanOTube materials From NanoTecHlabS, Inc., in yaDkiNVille, N.c., for pOsSIblE use as electRomaGnetic proTectioN Films as WEll as to ProvidE a sMalL amoUNt Of EleCtRIcaL CoNduCTivIty, StronG sAyS. The AIr FoRCE HAs alSo tAken A closE look at "buckypApeR" creATed By resEarchErs aT FLoridA State univeRsIty's High-PerformAnce materials insTiTutE (HpMI). BuCKypapeR shEetS are madE using dENseLy PACKeD single-walled carboN nANOtUbes.



CarbOn nanoTUbEs HAve speciFiC meChanICAl proPertIEs That make Them goOD cAnDidates FoR the AiR FOrcE's wOrk, saYS RynE RaffaElle, direCtor oF The National CenTEr for PhotovolTAiCS At THe U.S. depArtment of EnErgy'S natiOnal rEnEwaBLe EneRgy LaBoRAtORy. "In terms of strength-To-Weight Ratio, Carbon nanotubEs are stronGER Than steeL but INfINitely more flexIble," hE says.



A singLE carbon nAnotuBe is typiCally abouT ONe nanomeTer In dIamEteR (THe Approximate leNGTh of 10 AtOms) and mIllIons of tImeS loNgeR thAn It is wide, sAys RaffaElLe, WhO pRevIouslY Served as DiRecToR of The NaNOPower reseaRch LAbOrATorY at the ROChESTer INsTiTute Of TEcHnoloGy (R.I.t.) In NEw York STate, where He aND his TeAm ConductEd purity assesSmEnts of carbOn NanOtube pRODucts, incLuding those made by NanocoMP.



AlthouGh NAnocoMp anD others deVelOping nEw nANomateRials aRe on tHe RigHT Track, ONE oF thEiR main challENGes Will bE mAss-pRoducinG a product with consiSTenT properties. ThIs wOn't bE EAsY, beCAuSE eaCh INdiVIDual carbon nanotUbe's conducTiVE pRoperties aRE dePeNdent on How they Are foRMed, RaffAelle says. "it would be NiCe to HAVe eVery tube thE same," he aDds, "but no oNE can dO ThIs."



TheRe iS a tremEnDouS upsiDe for sUCceSs, howEver. WhErEas it iS possIbLe to poke An ice pick through a piece oF KevlaR body ArmOr, RaffaelLe sAYs, yOu could noT do tHis with a piEce Of fAbric MadE From cArboN NaNotUBes. TwO maiN Things aboUT tHe CoviD-19 Pandemic terRIFY Dr. john GRanTOn, head Of reSpirology at
 been making them into usa ble "macro mater ial s,"  s aysJenn ifer Chase Fie l ding , a materials research  engi ne e r wi t hanoth er ARFL / RX b ran ch —C omp os i te s & H ybr id Mate rials—whic h s tu dies fibersa nd  paper mad e f rom carbon n ano tubesan d n a nofib ers  forways t o  lever age their  h i ghly t h ermally a nd  ele ctrically conduct i ve properties.


In ad di t io n tostu dying Nano co mp'st echnolo g y, W r igh t –Patterson re searchers s p ent  the p as t t h ree ye ars e va l uat ing carbonnano tube mate rialsf rom Nan o TechLab s, Inc .,inYadk i nv il le,  N . C., fo r p o ssi ble useas  e lectr omag n e t i c pr ote ctio n fil ms as well as  to  pro v ide  a sm all a moun tof el ectric al co nd uctivity, Stron g sa ys. The A irFo rce  h as al s o take n a  cl ose loo k at "b u cky pa p e r "created by researc he r s  a t Florid a Stat e  U ni v ersity's  H igh -Per f o rmanc e Ma t er ials Ins titute (H PM I). Buc ky papersh eet s a re ma d e us ing de nsely pa ckeds ingle-walled c a rbon nanotube s .
C a rbon  na notubes hav e sp e cifi c me c ha nic a l pro perti es th a t make them good ca nd idates  forthe Air Force 's work, s a y s  Ryne Ra ffae l le ,  director of t he Na tional Cen t er for P hotov oltaicsat the U. S .  Departm ent  of  En erg y ' sNational Rene w a bleEn ergy La bor atory."In  te rms  of  s trength-t o-weight  r at io ,car bon n a notubesar e s tr ong er th a n stee l but  inf in it e lymore fl e xi b l e,"he  s ays. 


A  sing le c a rbo n nanot ube is ty pic a llyab ou t one n anometer in d ia meter (the  a ppr oximat e length o f 10 atoms) and million s  of tim eslonge r th an it iswid e, say s R a ffaell e, who  prev io usl y serve d as  di re ctor of th e Nan oPowe rRese arch La boratory at the Ro c hes ter Institute  of  Tec h n ol ogy (R . I.T .) inN e w York State, w here he an dh is  team cond u cte dpurityassessm entso f carbo n nanotub e product s,  inc l u din g those ma de by Na nocomp.

Alth o ug h Nan oco mp and  o the rs de velopi n g n ew na nomate ri als ar e onth e righttrack, one of their mai n chal lenge s w ill be ma ss- p rod ucing a p rodu ct with co nsi ste nt pr ope r ties.  Thi s  w on' t  be e asy, because e a ch  in d i vi dual carbon n a not ube's  co n ductiv e pr operties are depe n dent on how th ey a r e  fo rme d , Ra ff aelle says. "I t w ou l d  be nice  t o have ever y tube t he same, " he a dds, " but noo n ec an dothis ."


Thereisat remendo us  u p side f or s uc cess,howeve r . Wh e r eas it is possib le to p oke a n  ic e pic kthrough a pi ece of Kev lar body ar mor, R affa ellesays, y ou  could  no tdo this wi t h a piece  of f abric m ad e fr omcarbon  nan o t ubes.  Two  m ain  things a b o ut th eC OVI D-19  pand em ic t errify Dr .  John Gr ant o n, head  o f r e s pirolo g ya t 
 been_making them_into usable "macromaterials," says_Jennifer Chase_Fielding,_a materials_research_engineer with another_ARFL/RX branch—Composites &_Hybrid Materials—which studies fibers_and paper made_from_carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for ways to leverage their highly thermally and electrically conductive_properties.



In_addition to_studying_Nanocomp's_technology, Wright–Patterson researchers spent the_past three years evaluating carbon_nanotube materials_from NanoTechLabs, Inc., in Yadkinville, N.C., for possible_use_as electromagnetic protection_films as well as to provide a small amount_of electrical conductivity, Strong says. The_Air Force has_also_taken_a close look at_"buckypaper" created by researchers at Florida_State University's High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI)._Buckypaper sheets are made using densely packed_single-walled carbon nanotubes.



Carbon nanotubes have specific_mechanical properties that make them_good candidates_for the Air Force's work,_says Ryne Raffaelle,_director of_the National Center_for Photovoltaics at the U.S. Department_of Energy's National_Renewable Energy Laboratory. "In terms of_strength-to-weight_ratio, carbon nanotubes_are_stronger_than steel_but infinitely more_flexible,"_he says.



A_single_carbon nanotube is typically about one_nanometer_in diameter (the approximate length of 10_atoms) and millions of_times_longer than it is_wide, says Raffaelle, who previously_served as director of the NanoPower_Research Laboratory_at the_Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) in New York State, where he_and his team conducted purity assessments_of carbon nanotube products,_including those_made_by Nanocomp.



Although Nanocomp_and_others developing_new nanomaterials are on the right track,_one of_their main challenges will be mass-producing_a product with consistent_properties._This won't be easy, because each_individual carbon nanotube's conductive properties are_dependent on how they are_formed,_Raffaelle_says. "It would be nice_to have every tube the same,"_he adds, "but_no one can do this."



There is a_tremendous_upside for success, however. Whereas it_is_possible to poke an ice pick_through_a_piece of Kevlar body armor,_Raffaelle says, you could not do_this with a piece of fabric made from carbon_nanotubes. Two main_things about the COVID-19 pandemic_terrify_Dr._John Granton, head of respirology at