Multifunctional cnt-engineered structures

Abstract

Various applications for structured CNT-engineered materials are disclosed herein. In one application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of providing its own structural feedback. In another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of generating heat. In yet another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of functioning as an antenna, for example, for receiving, transmitting, absorbing and/or dissipating a signal. In still another application, systems are disclosed, wherein a structured CNT-engineered material forms at least part of an object capable of serving as a conduit for thermal or electrical energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an object having a portion formed from a carbon nanotube (CNT) engineered composite material having a CNT network formed of a first plurality of CNTs dispersed within a matrix material to conduct electricity to maintain or change a temperature of the portion of the object in a predetermined temperature pattern, wherein the first plurality of CNTs in the matrix material are uniformly distributed therein to form a contiguous network of CNTs;   a first electrical contact coupled to a first portion of the CNT network;   a second electrical contact coupled to a second portion of the CNT network; and   wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are couplable to a control system configured or programmed to drive the CNT network with electrical energy to generate heat across the CNT network in the pre-determined temperature pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the CNT engineered composite material has a structured form to define a geometry for the composite material and allow physical manipulation thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system drives the CNT network with the electrical energy to increase or maintain a temperature of a substance associated with the object at or above a selected temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system drives the CNT network with the electrical energy to increase the temperature of the portion of the object so as to de-ice the portion of the object or prevent icing on the portion of the object. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system drives the CNT network with the electrical energy to increase the temperature of the portion of the object to prevent icing thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system drives the CNT network with the electrical energy to increase the temperature of the portion of the object to melt a frozen fluid or prevent a fluid from freezing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection system for providing temperature feedback for at least one of the object or its surroundings. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical energy from the control system is adjustable based on the temperature feedback. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature feedback indicates a temperature rate of change for an interior or exterior portion of the object or for a substance heated by the object. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the detection system determines an amount of ice on the exterior portion of the object based on the temperature rate of change. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the detection system detects a phase change of a substance on a surface of the object based on changes in electrical conductivity or resistance across the CNT network. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of CNTs in the CNT network interact with a second plurality of CNTs in the CNT network to provide a contiguity between the first and second pluralities of CNTs. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 an object having a portion formed from a carbon nanotube (CNT) engineered composite material having a CNT network formed of a first plurality of CNTs organized within a matrix material to conduct electricity, wherein the first plurality of CNTs in the matrix material are uniformly distributed therein to form a contiguous network of CNTs;   a first electrical contact coupled to a first portion of the CNT network;   a second electrical contact coupled to a second portion of the CNT network; and   a configurable or programmable detection system couplable to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to detect a change in a physical property or characteristic related to a change in structure of the object, based on a measurement across a portion of the CNT network;   wherein detecting the change in the physical property or the characteristic includes detecting at least one of: (i) a change in electrical conductivity or resistance across the portion of the CNT network or (ii) a propagation of an acoustic wave across a portion of the object.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the CNT engineered composite material has a structured form to define a geometry for the composite material and allow physical manipulation thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the physical property or characteristic is related to structural health of the object, and   wherein the structural change to the CNT network is on account of damage to the object.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the physical property or characteristic is related to a shape of the object, and   wherein the structural change to the CNT network is on account of a change in the shape of the object.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the detection system is couplable to the CNT network via one or more electrode arrays defining a plurality of electrode pairs across the CNT network. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more multiplexers for combining measurements from the plurality of the electrode pairs. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 ,
 wherein the shape of the object is configurable, and   wherein the detection system provides feedback on the shape of the object.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the detection system detects a phase change of a substance on a surface of the object based on changes in electrical conductivity or resistance across the CNT network.