Protective armor using 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 composite armor plate, comprising:
 a plurality of material layers, wherein at least one of said material layers is an ordered nanotube fabric stack;   wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer arranged along a selected direction;   wherein at least one of said at least one material layer comprises steel, steel alloy, metallic alloy, fabric, ballistic fabric, ceramic plates, or shaped ceramic particles suspended in a matrix.   
     
     
         2 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers arranged at selected angles to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         3 . The composite armor plate of  claim 2  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers arranged along alternating orthogonal directions with respect to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         4 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises nanotubes and a matrix material. 
     
     
         5 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack additionally comprises at least one additive, said additive including surfactants, cross-linking agents, polymers, dopants, photoactive particles, ceramic fibers, ceramic particles, metallic fibers, metallic particles, ballistic fiber, and nanoscopic particles. 
     
     
         6 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to dissipate kinetic energy. 
     
     
         7 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to attenuate electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         8 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to dissipate thermal energy. 
     
     
         9 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is resistant to penetration. 
     
     
         10 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to attenuate infrared radiation. 
     
     
         11 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to attenuate microwave radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to reduce radar cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack protects at least one of said at least one material layer from corrosion. 
     
     
         14 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack provides a hydrophobic coating. 
     
     
         15 . The composite armor plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack provides a low friction coating. 
     
     
         16 . A personal armor, comprising:
 at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack;   a wearable structure;   wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises at least one ordered nanotube fabric layer arranged along a selected direction;   wherein said wearable structure encases said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack;   wherein said wearable structure comprises a vest, helmet, greave, glove, gauntlet, shoulder pad, and shield.   
     
     
         17 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers arranged at selected angles to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         18 . The personal armor of  claim 17  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises a plurality of ordered nanotube fabric layers arranged along alternating orthogonal directions with respect to adjacent ordered nanotube fabric layers. 
     
     
         19 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack comprises nanotubes and a matrix material. 
     
     
         20 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack additionally comprises at least one additive, said additive including surfactants, cross-linking agents, polymers, dopants, photoactive particles, ceramic fibers, ceramic particles, metallic fibers, metallic particles, ballistic fiber and nanoscopic particles. 
     
     
         21 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to dissipate kinetic energy. 
     
     
         22 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to attenuate electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         23 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to dissipate thermal energy. 
     
     
         24 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is flexible. 
     
     
         25 . The personal armor of  claim 16  additionally comprising a material layer comprising ceramic plates or shaped ceramic particles suspended in a matrix. 
     
     
         26 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is resistant to penetration. 
     
     
         27 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is slash resistant. 
     
     
         28 . The personal armor of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said at least one ordered nanotube fabric stack is designed to attenuate infrared radiation.