On the NanoSolutions 2008, the Fraunhofer Technology Development Group TEG presents its most recent research results in application development with carbon nanotubes (CNT).

In particular:

– CNT in Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) und Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)

Since 2006 the Fraunhofer TEG in close cooperation with the Max-Planck-Society and the University of Dallas has been working intensively on the improvement of metals concerning their mechanical, tribological and conductive features as well as on the reduction of their density. In the future, this will enable a more economical use of material, which will lead to lower emissions both in construction and in later application, for example in automobile or in aerospace industry.

For the last four years the Fraunhofer TEG has been developing CNT-ceramics composites. They can be implemented as high-temperature heating elements and feature extremely short pre-heating times, a very homogenous heat distribution and an excellent heat shock resistance.

– Highly conductive polymers with CNT

One more impressive development of the Fraunhofer TEG are highly conductive polymers which open numerous ranges of application: By utilizing the options of form design, even complex geometries can be realised. Thereby, common processing methods of plastics technology as, for example, injection moulding, extrusion or  can be applied. An outstanding feature is made up by implementing the same component for more than one purpose, as for example for shielding electromagnetic waves, as an antenna or heating element. For these purposes, the features can be adapted according to the required field of application. Compared to intrinsically conductive polymers the CNT-polymers convince by an extraordinary long-time stability at a price which is similar to comparable modified polymers.

– CNT-layers as sensors

Together with the Chair Microsystems at the Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF) of the Stuttgart University (Universität Stuttgart) the Fraunhofer TEG is developing layers of CNT which can be implemented as extension-sensitive sensors. The newly developed method allows to spray sensors right onto surfaces for measuring local extensions. This is considerably more cost-efficient and more flexible than past methods which measure the bending stresses of three-dimensional surfaces, for example in machine parts, by means of wire strain gauges.

In addition to that, the high affinity of CNT to other molecules leads to adsorbing, for example, gases, steams or also biological substances like DNA. These features render CNT extraordinarily interesting for many sensory applications in biological and chemical analysis.