Nanotube films and articles

Abstract

Nanotube films and articles and methods of making the same are disclosed. A conductive article or a substrate comprises at least two unaligned nanotubes extending substantially parallel to the substrate and each contacting end points of the article but each unaligned relative to the other, the nanotubes providing a conductive pathway within a predefined space.

1 . A conductive article or a substrate comprising: 
 at least two unaligned nanotubes extending substantially parallel to the substrate and each contacting end points of the article but each unaligned relative to the other, the nanotubes providing a conductive pathway within a predefined space.    
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes include single-walled nanotubes.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes include multi-walled nanotubes.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes have different lengths.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are of a controllable density.  
     
     
         6 . A conductive article comprising: 
 at least two unaligned nanotubes extending substantially parallel to a substrate and each contacting end points of the article but each unaligned relative to the other, wherein the nanotubes conform to a non-planar surface of a substrate.    
     
     
         7 . The conductive article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes form a conductive pathway within a predefined space.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes include single-walled nanotubes.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes include multi-walled nanotubes.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes have different lengths.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes form a conformal layer.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the nanotubes are of a controllable density.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making a conductive article on a substrate comprising: 
 providing a layer of nanotubes on a substrate, said nanotube layer comprising at least two unaligned nanotubes, the nanotubes being substantially parallel to a surface of the substrate; and    selectively patterning the layer to define an electrically conductive element having the unaligned nanotubes.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the layer comprises nanotubes of a controllable density.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the nanotube layer is provided by dipping, spraying or spincoating.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein patterning is provided by selectively removing a portion of the nanotube layer.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein selective removal comprises a stencil.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein selective removal comprises photoresist.