A carbon nanotube field emitter comprises at least two electrodes and at least one graphitized carbon nanotube structure. The at least one graphitized carbon nanotube structure comprises a first end and a field emission end. The first end is opposite to the field emission end. The first end is fixed between the at least two electrodes, and the field emission end is exposed from the at least two electrodes and configured to emit electrons.

A photovoltaic unit that includes a biological interface for sensing an electrical signal from the biological tissue, the biological interface including a multilayered piezoelectric amplifier including a composite impulse generating layer including a matrix of a piezo polymeric material and dispersed phases including piezo nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes. The photovoltaic unit also includes a transducer structure comprising a fiber substrate having quantum dots present on a receiving end of the fiber. The receiving end of the fiber receiving the electrical signal. The quantum dots converts the electrical signal to a light signal.

A photovoltaic unit that includes a biological interface for sensing an electrical signal from the biological tissue, the biological interface including a multilayered piezoelectric amplifier including a composite impulse generating layer including a matrix of a piezo polymeric material and dispersed phases including piezo nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes. The photovoltaic unit also includes a transducer structure comprising a fiber substrate having quantum dots present on a receiving end of the fiber. The receiving end of the fiber receiving the electrical signal. The quantum dots converts the electrical signal to a light signal.

A laser remote control switching system comprises a laser source and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a power, an electronic device, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photosensitive element electrically connected in sequence to form a loop. Each of the two nanofiber actuators comprises a composite structure and a vanadium dioxide layer. The composite structure comprises a carbon nanotube wire and an aluminum oxide layer. The aluminum oxide layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotube wire, and the aluminum oxide layer and the carbon nanotube wire are located coaxially with each other. The vanadium dioxide layer is coated on a surface of the composite structure, and the vanadium dioxide layer and the composite structure are located non-coaxially with each other.

A de-icing assembly for a surface of an aircraft includes: a carcass with a first layer, a second layer, and a carcass centerline and a plurality of seams sewn into the carcass, wherein the plurality of seams join the first and second layers of the carcass together. The assembly includes a plurality of inflation passages formed by the plurality of seams and disposed between the first and second layers of the carcass. The system also includes a manifold fluidly connected to and disposed beneath the carcass, the manifold comprising a width and a manifold centerline oriented approximately perpendicular or parallel to the carcass centerline. The seams are sown by a stitchline formed of carbon nanotube yarn

A de-icing assembly for a surface of an aircraft includes: a carcass with a first layer, a second layer, and a carcass centerline and a plurality of seams sewn into the carcass, wherein the plurality of seams join the first and second layers of the carcass together. The assembly includes a plurality of inflation passages formed by the plurality of seams and disposed between the first and second layers of the carcass. The system also includes a manifold fluidly connected to and disposed beneath the carcass, the manifold comprising a width and a manifold centerline oriented approximately perpendicular or parallel to the carcass centerline. The seams are sown by a stitchline formed of carbon nanotube yarn

A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

The present invention includes a method for producing a filler-resin composite including (a) preparing a filler assembly in which a plurality of fillers are assembled, (b) impregnating at least one end in the thickness direction of the filler assembly with a first polymer soluble in liquid to produce a first polymer layer, (c) impregnating a portion of the filler assembly other than the one end in the thickness direction with a second polymer insoluble to the liquid to produce a second polymer layer, and (d) dissolving the first polymer layer impregnated at at least an end in the thickness direction of the filler assembly in the liquid to remove the first polymer layer.

Provided herein are methods and devices for production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which have high structural uniformity and low levels of impurities. The device includes, for example, a module for depositing catalyst on a substrate, a module for forming CNTs, a module for separating CNTs from the substrate, a module for collecting the CNTs and a module for continuously and sequentially advancing the substrate through the above modules. The method includes, for example, the steps of depositing catalyst on a moving substrate, forming carbon nanotubes on the substrate, separating carbon nanotubes from the substrate and collecting the carbon nanotubes from the surface, where the substrate moves sequentially through the depositing, forming, separating and collecting steps.