Plenary Lecture
Science to Commercialization of Carbon Nanotube Sheet and Yarn Materials
Professor Mark J. Schulz
(co-Authors: Guangfeng Hou, Vianessa Ng, David Mast, Vesselin Shanov, Massoud Rabiee, Marc Cahay, Sumeet Chaudhary, Dustin Lindley, Devika Chauhan, Michael Paine, Dineshwaran Vijayakumar, Zhangzhang Yin, Andy Xu, Yijun Liu, Weifeng Li)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Cincinnati, OH, USA
E-mail: Mark.J.Schulz@uc.edu
Abstract: Nanotechnology based yarn and sheet materials are being continuously improved due to better understanding of the science behind the nanotube growth process. Improved fuel injection has increased the quality of the nanotubes and multiphysics which uses multiple physical fields is providing additional parameters to increase control over nanotube formation and growth. Multicomponent materials also just beginning to be produced directly from the reactor which opens up a new arena of possibilities for the design of nanostructured materials. The cost of the materials will also be reduced due to a higher yield in manufacturing. These improved carbon nanotube and hybrid multicomponent materials have properties that are unique compared with those of many existing materials. Enticed by the potential commercial value of these materials, more industries are now beginning to supplement or replace their incumbent materials such as copper, aluminum, and composites with nanotube/hybrid materials that are lighter, tougher, and carry more electrical current. This lecture discusses science and manufacturing of these materials followed by making a projection of a range of emerging applications that will benefit from wholly new or improved capabilities. Applications discussed include electrical power cables; electrical shielding from electromagnetic waves and lightning strike; filtering air and water; multi-functional composites for increased thermal and electrical conduction, and structural health monitoring; biomedical devices such as biosensors and millirobots; carbon electric motors; energy generation and storage through very large structural supercapacitors; future automotive components such valves and motors; and electronic devices such as field emitters and touch screens. Carbon nanotube materials overall represent a new class of materials that fit in-between lightweight and high strength but brittle synthetic fibers, and more conductive but dense metals. The new nanotube materials will provide high value broadly from industrial nanotechnology to consumer products.
Brief Biography of the Speaker: Mark J. Schulz is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and director with Dr. Vesselin Shanov of the Nanoworld Laboratories at the University of Cincinnati. He is also one of the deputy directors of the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials. Mark’s research focus is in the area of smart materials and nanotechnology. The Nanoworld Laboratories synthesize carbon nanotubes and process the nanotubes into intermediate materials such as yarn and sheet. The intermediate materials are a new kind of structural and electronic “raw material” that is used to build multifunctional and smart materials and devices for engineering and medical use.