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Enhanced Strength Carbon Nanotube Yarns

技術優勢

Superior weight/strength ratio  Significantly enhanced strength and toughness

詳細技術說明

Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel CNT/resin composite material that approaches the strength of Kevlar at a lighter weight. This new method involves compounding thousands of CNTs into a single unit CNT yarn on the millimeter scale, followed by surface chemistry performed on the CNT yarn to allow for resin compatibility, and infusion of resin by a Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. This method can drastically reduce the viscosity of the resin and allow it to fully permeate in between the CNTs within the yarn. The resulting CNT/resin composite has a superior weight/strength ratio than that of materials such as steel, aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fibers, and thus has the potential to replace these materials in the automotive and aeronautic industry.

*Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the strongest and stiffest materials yet discovered in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus, compared to steel and Kevlar at a fraction of the weight. CNTs superior strength is a result of their unique cylindrical nanostructure of carbon molecules. In order to harvest these unique properties of CNTs for commercial applications, CNTs and their composites must be processed in a cost efficient and scalable way. Researchers have attempted to incorporate CNTs into inexpensive, lightweight resins, by directly infusing resins into mats of carbon fibers, or performing chemistry on the surface of the CNTs to make them more compatible with current resin. However, in the latter method, resins often cannot penetrate the nano/microporous air pockets within the CNT yarns, and the resulting carbon fiber/resin composite materials are not able to achieve the strength of carbon fiber or Kevlar.

*IP Issue Date

Jun 25, 2013

*Principal Investigation

Name: Larry Carlson

Department:

附加資料

Patent Number: US8470946B1
Application Number: US13590130A
Inventor: Carlson, Lawrence E.
Priority Date: 20 Aug 2012
Priority Number: US8470946B1
Application Date: 20 Aug 2012
Publication Date: 25 Jun 2013
IPC Current: C08F013602 | C08F013206
US Class: 5263403 | 5253261 | 5253319 | 5253321 | 5253325 | 526089 | 526280 | 526335 | 526336 | 977778 | 977783 | 977786 | 977788 | 977832 | 977896 | 977897
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Enhanced strength carbon nanotube yarns and sheets using infused and bonded nano-resins
Usefulness: Enhanced strength carbon nanotube yarns and sheets using infused and bonded nano-resins
Summary: For making improved strength carbon nanotube yarn or tows, useful as structural components (claimed) in producing performance enhancements in various commercial products such as sporting goods (bats, arrows, hockey sticks, golf shafts and heads), aerospace products (struts, cowls, optic mounts, fuselage, solar sails, antennas and drone structures), and vehicle armor.
Novelty: Making improved strength carbon nanotube yarn used in e.g. sporting goods involves surface-activating unspun yarn via atmospheric pressure plasma to produce open bonds, infusing nano-resin into all voids, tightening the fibers and curing

主要類別

化工/材料

細分類別

納米材料

申請號碼

8470946

其他

State Of Development

Conceptual stage.

Summary

Researchers at the UCLA Department of Engineering have developed novel carbon nanotube/resin composite material that dramatically enhances strength and toughness of carbon nanotubes.

Applications

• Automotive industry 
• Aerospace and defense 
• Sporting goods

Tech ID/UC Case

23442/2011-132-0

Related Cases

2011-132-0

國家/地區

美國