APPLICATIONS
CTIC’s solid Carbon NanoSphere Chains (CNSC) are totally new nanocarbon materials. Current corporate and academic research is revealing the unique properties of this material, indicating applications in a variety of industries including: electronics, composites, airframe coatings, protective armor, fuel additives, super capacitors, hydrogen fuel cells. The majority of CTIC’s material research has been done by the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati.
As new research data and results are available, they will be added to the application summaries noted below. CNSC material is now available to selected companies for internal R&D and pursuit of new product applications.
Metal and Plastic Composites – As carbon nanomaterial is approximately 10 times stronger than steel and 10 times lighter, the blending of solid carbon nanospheres with steel, aluminum, titanium, plastics, fiberglass, ceramics, and other materials, has exciting potential for products with significantly enhanced strength, durability and weight reduction. We believe the use of CNSC material in composites has the potential to revolutionize many industries (steel and PVC pipe, fiberglass materials, ceramics, etc.) and real potential to revolutionize the auto industry, with lighter and stronger frames and components.
Protective Armor – The American military and contracted corporations are continually pursuing lighter and stronger armor – both for individual soldiers and military vehicles, to save lives and reduce casualties as enemy explosive devices become more lethal and widespread. We believe the CNSC material to have excellent potential for armor – either in composite form (ceramic, steel) or mixed with a polymer and spun into fibers for strong and lightweight fabrics.
Airframe Coatings/Paints – With increasing demands for stronger but more fuel-efficient aircraft, military and commercial corporate contractors have to move beyond the current metals, plastics and composites – which has been limited by the properties of graphite fiber and metal blends. Until now, there have been no options for moving beyond the composite graphite materials, which have shown ongoing problems with strength and bonding under extreme aircraft environmental demands. With CleanTech CNSC material, revolutionary airframe manufacturing may now be a reality.
Electronic Circuits/Capacitors – Microcircuits, chips and super-capacitors have enabled the manufacture of various nano components. Significant issues of conductivity and high temperature operation remain challenges faced by the industry in progressing beyond current capabilities. Extensive electrical conductivity research at the University of Cincinnati has shown that CTIC carbon nanospheres are conductive as produced. However, current research is showing that with functionalization, the nanosphere material changes to a faceted nanographite sphere structure (approximately 20-40nm in size) with high conductivity. Because of the faceted surface property, there are multiple flat connectivity points. There is no need for magnetic alignment.
Super Capacitors – In the development of stronger and longer-range autos, and other electrical components/motors, super capacitors needing the ability to store higher voltages to be released over longer periods of time. CTIC’s conductive and moldable carbon nanomaterials could bring major advancements to field of electrical energy storage.
Radar Cross-Sectional Absorption – Research on the unique properties of CNSC material indicates that there may be immediate application due to the material’s unique properties of being radar/x-ray absorbing, and its ability to mix in polymer solutions for uniform spray-on application to wing structures and other airframe components.
Oil/Diesel Additive – Preliminary testing of nanosphere chains in motor oil shows that the spherical property of the material enables it to function as micro ball bearings when used as an additive. As this is a solid carbon material, even the most extreme diesel or gas motor operating temperatures have no effect as to the strength and durability of CNSC. Test data from the Southwest Research Institute documents a significant increase in oil lubricity using a 1% dilution. Corporate and academic research is now underway on the use of CTIC materials in diesel, bio-diesel and reduced sulfur diesel, as an additive for improving lubricity, protecting metal parts and increasing gas mileage. Look for more research data on this website.
Electrical Anti-Icing – The U.S. East Coast ice/snowstorm of March 16 this year, caused airlines to cancel 3,600 flights (WSJ, 8/23/07), and there are controversial and expensive FAA protocols for planes taking off in ice/ice pellet conditions. The nanomaterials department of the University of Cincinnati report that a new nanoskin material (using CleanTechnology International’s CNSC) may be hydrophobic and prevent ice buildup. And because the material is electrically conductive, a nanoskin coating could possibly be activated by pilots to prevent/minimize ice build-up while on the ground or in flight.
Fuel Cells – Hydrogen fuel cells are recognized as one of the future solutions for decreasing our dependency on fossil fuels. Auto and battery companies are aggressively researching materials to make hydrogen fuel cells/batteries with longer charge times, light in weight and with high temp capabilities. The high conductivity of CTIC’s solid carbon nanomaterials represents a breakthrough in electrical efficiency and cost effective applications.
Other Possible Applications/Research Pending
Solar Energy/Solar Cells
High-End Water Filtration Systems
Liquid/Gas Pollution Absorption Systems
Flat Panel Screens/Monitors
Lightning Strike Protection
Flexible/Moldable Antennas (strong, highly conductive, extreme environments)
Pharmaceutical Delivery Systems
Medical Equipment/Stents/MRI Calibration
Arthritic Joint Lubrication
