Brief, General Overview of Applications

Abstract

Since their ``rediscovery'' in the early 1990s, CNTs have been studied exhaustively from a theoretical and experimental as well as applications point of view. Applications researched have encompassed an extremely wide field. The applications below, while not exhaustive, are representative: Specialized materials, e.g., those possessing high strength, high conductivity (electrical as well as thermal), greater elasticity, high electromagnetic absorption (e.g., for radar cross-section (RCS) reduction), and other desirable properties. The high strength applications encompass not only postulated esoteric applications such as ``elevators to space'' but also more mundane ones such as yarns for more durable textiles and composite materials with higher strength and greater durability. Batteries and energy devices, including especially Li batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, and materials for hydrogen storage. Many of the applications in such areas as Li batteries have originated in simple replacement of already established additives such as activated-C and graphite. Sensors and actuators, including electrochemically based sensors and biosensors (especially those coupled with DNA and RNA) but including other sensor types such as mechanical (e.g., strain) sensors, optical power detectors, acoustic detectors, and fluorescence-based imaging. It also includes actuators and ``nanomotors.'' Drug delivery. Microelectronics, ``nanoelectronics,'' and ``nano-bioelectronics'' applications, including ``flexible electronics,'' ``wearable electronics,'' and ``biocompatible electronics'' and computing applications. Displays and transparent, conductive films/substrates. This especially includes field emission displays and conductive replacements that seek to be replacements for transparent, conductive ITO (indium tin oxide) coatings. Electrical conductors (to replace metals), ``quantum nanowires'' or ``quantum wires'' (ideal one-dimensional conductors), potential superconductors, and other conductivity-based and one-dimension-based, specialized applications. Environmental applications and materials used in separation science. These include filters, membranes, and water treatment.