A super-hydrophilic carbon nanotube composite film includes a carbon nanotube layer, a polydopamine layer and a silicon dioxide layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and defines two opposite surfaces. The polydopamine layer is on at least one surface of two opposite surfaces of the carbon nanotube layer, and the polydopamine layer includes a plurality of polydopamine nanoparticles. The silicon dioxide layer is on a surface of the polydopamine layer away from the carbon nanotube layer, and the silicon dioxide layer includes a plurality of amino-containing silica nanoparticles, and the plurality of amino-containing silica nanoparticles are grafted onto the surface of the polydopamine layer.

A nanofiber yarn placement system includes a yarn dispenser assembly, and a placement assembly. The placement assembly includes a compliant flange, and a guide connected to the compliant flange. The guide defining a channel. The channel includes at least one internal surface and at least one corner defined by the at least one internal surface.

A facility for producing a composite material that includes carbon nanotubes. The facility includes a reaction chamber with an injection device for injecting an active gas mixture (for the growth of the carbon nanotubes) into the interior volume thereof. A transport device is to transport a substrate into the reaction chamber to form the composite material. The injection device may transport the active gas mixture in a first direction into the interior volume. A circulation device is to circulate the active gas mixture, and may transport the active gas mixture into the interior volume in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The circulation device may adopt a first configuration of injection of the active gas mixture into the interior volume of the chamber, and a second configuration of extraction of the active gas mixture from the interior volume.

A density of a nanofiber sheet can be changed using an edged surface, and in particular an arcuate edged surface. As described herein, a nanofiber sheet is drawn over (and in contact with) an arcuate edged surface. Depending on whether the arcuate surface facing a direction opposite the direction in which the nanofiber sheet is being drawn is convex or concave determines whether the nanofiber sheet density is increased relative to the as-drawn sheet or decreased relative to the as-drawn sheet.

Solder-carbon nanostructure composites and methods of making and using thereof are described. Such composites can be useful for thermal application and can serve, for example, as thermal interface materials (TIMs).

A light absorber preform solution includes a solvent, a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with each other to form a network structure, and a plurality of carbon particles in the network structure. The plurality of carbon nanotubes and the plurality of carbon particles are in the solvent.

A light absorber includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a plurality of carbon particles. The plurality of carbon nanotubes is entangled with each other to form a network structure. The plurality of carbon particles is located in the network structure.

A facility for producing a composite material that includes carbon nanotubes. The facility includes a reaction chamber with an injection device for injecting an active gas mixture (for the growth of the carbon nanotubes) into the interior volume thereof. A transport device is to transport a substrate into the reaction chamber to form the composite material. The injection device may transport the active gas mixture in a first direction into the interior volume. A circulation device is to circulate the active gas mixture, and may transport the active gas mixture into the interior volume in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The circulation device may adopt a first configuration of injection of the active gas mixture into the interior volume of the chamber, and a second configuration of extraction of the active gas mixture from the interior volume.

Methods and systems for the fabrication of composite materials are generally described. Certain inventive methods and systems can be used to fabricate composite materials with few or no defects. According to certain embodiments, composite materials are fabricated without the use of an autoclave. In some embodiments, composite materials are fabricated in low pressure environments.

A consumer product having a sensor for controlling the operation of the consumer product, a system and method including the consumer product and a sensor are provided. The system and method including a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions from the consumer product and sensor. The central communication unit communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm. The sensor has a cross-linked carbon nanotube network comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and at least one linker that covalently links adjacent carbon nanotubes. The algorithm controls the consumer product based on incoming signals sent from the sensor to the central communication unit.