Ordered Nanotube Fabrics

Abstract

A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A conformal surface coating, comprising:
 a material surface; and   at least one nanotube fabric layer in contact with said material surface;   wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric layers is ordered along a selected direction.   
     
     
         2 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one of said nanotube fabric layers provides a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         3 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 2  wherein at least one of said at least one of said nanotube fabric layers provides a superhydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         4 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 2  wherein said material surface is the interior of a fluid control mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 4  wherein said material surface is one of a pipe, pipeline, valve, storage vessel, and pump 
     
     
         6 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 4  wherein said nanotube fabric layer reduces drag between said interior of a fluid control mechanism and a fluid within said fluid control mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 4  wherein said coating increases flow rate of a fluid through said coated fluid control mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one nanotube fabric layers provides a low friction surface. 
     
     
         9 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 8  wherein said material surface is a surface of a mechanical component. 
     
     
         10 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 9  wherein said mechanical component is one of a piston, joint, rotor, shaft, cylinder, bearing, gear, servo, and solenoid. 
     
     
         11 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 9  wherein said nanotube fabric layer improves the durability of said mechanical component. 
     
     
         12 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 9  wherein said nanotube fabric layer reduces the amount of required lubrication. 
     
     
         13 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 9  wherein said nanotube fabric improves thermal conductance across said surface. 
     
     
         14 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 8  wherein said material surface is a contact surface. 
     
     
         15 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 14  wherein said material surface is a contact surface of one of a ski, water-ski, wakeboard, snowboard, snowmobile, sled, bobsleigh, surf board, wake surf board, jet-ski, and boat hull. 
     
     
         16 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one nanotube fabric layer protects said material surface from corrosion. 
     
     
         17 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said coating is substantially free of defects. 
     
     
         18 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said coating is substantially non-porous. 
     
     
         19 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said coating is substantially resistant to thermal degradation. 
     
     
         20 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said material surface is one of steel, aluminum, copper, metal, metal alloy, fiberglass, polymer, glass, paint, and ceramic. 
     
     
         21 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one nanotube fabric layers additionally comprises at least one of surfactants, binders, cross-linking agents, nanoscopic particles, microscopic particles, and polymers. 
     
     
         22 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers wherein each of said plurality is arranged at selected angles to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         23 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 22  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers wherein each of said plurality is arranged along alternating orthogonal directions with respect to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         24 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 22  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         25 . The conformal surface coating of  claim 1  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer prevents the growth and attachment of biological organisms.