Organic/inorganic matrix nanocomposites have been created using an acid catalyzed, tetraethyl orthosilicate-based sol–gel technique with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). By utilizing nanotubes functionalized with the dendron methyl 3,5-di(methyltrigycoloxy)benzylic alcohol (IPEG), ultrasonic blending in the sol phase prior to gelation yields excellent dispersion characteristics of the na...

Introduction We have previously reported downsizing ancient twistbased spinning technology for making continuous, densified nanotube yarns from multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) forests [1]. Such nanotube yarns provide unique properties and property combinations. Despite this important progress, the relationship between nanotube yarn properties and component carbon nanotube properties is not ...

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes consist of many cup-shaped graphitic compartments termed as nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube cups (NCNCs). These as-synthesized graphitic nanocups from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method were stacked in a head-to-tail fashion held only through noncovalent interactions. Individual NCNCs can be isolated out of their stacking structure through a series of chemical...

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown great potential as sensing component in the electrochemical field effect transistor and optical sensors, because of their extraordinary one-dimensional electronic structure, thermal conductivity, and tunable and stable near-infrared emission. However, the insolubility of CNTs due to strong van der Waals interactions limits their use in the field of nanotechnol...

Polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole-carboxylic functionalized multi wall carbon nanotube composites (PPy/f-MWCNT) were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The structure of the resulting complex nanotubes was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effects of f-MWCNT concentration on t...

An all-optical ultrasound probe for vascular tissue imaging was developed. Ultrasound was generated by pulsed laser illumination of a functionalized carbon nanotube composite coating on the end face of an optical fiber. Ultrasound was detected with a Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity on the end face of an adjacent optical fiber. The probe diameter was < 0.84 mm and had an ultrasound bandwidth of ~20 MHz....

In the present work we have devised the synthesis of a novel promising carbon nanotube carrier for the targeted delivery of radioactivity, through a combination of endohedral and exohedral functionalization. Steam-purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been initially filled with radioactive analogues (i.e. metal halides) and sealed by high temperature treatment, affording closed-...

Abstract Background/Introduction Heart failure (HF) is an expensive major public health problem in the United States and around world (1). The current treatments for HF are aimed at reducing symptoms, slowing disease progression, mortality not repairing heart muscle or restoring function. Furthermore, even with these treatments, approximately half of patients will die within 5 years diagnosis (...