Carbon nanotube structures, carbon nanotube devices using the same and method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures

Abstract

Carbon nanotube structures are provided, in which the networks with a desired area and volume, where the carbon nanotubes are electrically or magnetically connected, are formed and the method for easily manufacturing the carbon nanotube structures with less carbon nanotube structures. Carbon nanotube devices are also provided, to which the useful carbon nanotube structures mentioned above are applied. A method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures includes the steps of applying carbon nanotubes to a low-viscosity dispersion medium to obtain a high-viscosity dispersing liquid which includes carbon nanotubes, and forming a network of the carbon nanotubes having electrical and/or magnetic connections therebetween by removing the low-viscosity dispersion medium from the high-viscosity dispersed liquid.

1 . A method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures comprising the steps of: 
 applying carbon nanotubes to a low-viscosity dispersion medium to obtain a high-viscosity dispersing liquid which includes carbon nanotubes; and    forming a network of the carbon nanotubes having electrical and/or magnetic connections therebetween by removing the low-viscosity dispersion medium from the high-viscosity dispersed liquid.    
     
     
         2 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 1 , wherein other objects are further dispersed in the high-viscosity dispersing liquid.  
     
     
         3 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion medium is removed while the high-viscosity dispersing liquid dispersed being in contact with given trapping sites.  
     
     
         4 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 3 , wherein the trapping sites are planar boards.  
     
     
         5 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 3 , wherein channel structures, in which the trapping sites contact the high-viscosity dispersing liquid, are contained, the high-viscosity dispersing liquid is made to contact the trapping sites through the channel structures, and the carbon nanotubes are arranged along the channel structures.  
     
     
         6 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 5 , wherein the channel structures are formed by concave and convex parts on the planar boards.  
     
     
         7 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 5 , wherein, the channel structures are formed by patterning a surface of the planar board into a condition, in which it has a different lyophilic from that of the dispersion medium.  
     
     
         8 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 3 , wherein the trapping sites are formed by arranging particulate and/or film metal on the planar boards.  
     
     
         9 . The method for manufacturing carbon nanotube structures according to  claim 1 , wherein a quantity of the carbon nanotubes is controlled by adjusting a density of the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanotube structures to be produced.  
     
     
         10 - 28 . (canceled)