Nanotube Fabric Length Control via Filtration and Sonochemistry

Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic devices and structures scale to smaller dimensions, there is a growing need for methods to adjust or control the average length and length distribution of nanotube elements within nanotube fabrics and films to enhance scalability and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves filtering or sono-chemical cutting processes to adjust the nanotube length distribution, allowing for the formation of scalable nanotube fabrics with nanotube elements that conform to specific length profiles, ensuring the mean or median length of nanotubes is within a preselected range, thereby preserving functionality as device geometry is reduced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If nanotube fabrics are scaled to smaller dimensions, then device miniaturization is achieved, but nanotube length control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice dimensionsVSAvoidnanotube length control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the nanotube length distribution before fabric formation. The method adjusts the length distribution of nanotubes in the application solution prior to depositing the nanotube fabric, ensuring that the nanotubes are pre-sized to match the target device dimensions. This prevents the need for post-fabrication trimming or selection, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision during scaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the nanotube length distribution parameter in the application solution. By adjusting the average length and distribution width of nanotubes to match the scaling requirements, the method enables precise control of nanotube dimensions in scaled-down devices without compromising manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If nanotube length distribution is adjusted to match preselected feature sizes, then scalability is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the nanotube length distribution before fabric formation. The method adjusts the length distribution of nanotubes in the application solution prior to depositing the nanotube fabric, ensuring that the nanotubes are pre-sized to match the target device dimensions. This prevents the need for post-fabrication trimming or selection, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the nanotube length distribution parameter in the application solution. By adjusting the average length and distribution width of nanotubes to match the scaling requirements, the method enables precise control of nanotube dimensions in scaled-down devices without compromising manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional nanotube fabrication methods are used, then existing manufacturing capabilities are maintained, but functionality is lost at smaller dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing capabilityVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the nanotube length distribution parameter in the application solution. By adjusting the average length and distribution width of nanotubes to match the scaling requirements, the method enables precise control of nanotube dimensions in scaled-down devices without compromising manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the creation of scalable nanotube fabrics with tailored nanotube length distributions, maintaining device functionality and adaptability to smaller dimensions, and producing high-quality, stable, and pure nanotube solutions suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting or otherwise controlling the nanotube length distribution of nanotube application solutions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

adjusting or otherwise controlling the nanotube length distribution of nanotube application solutions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSonochemistry: Sonochemistry

Data Source

PatentUS11643763B2Scalable nanotube fabrics and methods for making same

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 ZEON CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides scalable nanotube fabrics and methods for controlling or otherwise adjusting the nanotube length distribution of a nanotube application solution in order to realize scalable nanotube fabrics. In one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more filtering operations are used to remove relatively long nanotube elements from a nanotube solution until nanotube length distribution of the nanotube solution conforms to a preselected or desired nanotube length distribution profile. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a sono-chemical cutting process is used to break up relatively long nanotube elements within a nanotube application solution into relatively short nanotube elements to realize a pre-selected or desired nanotube length distribution profile.