The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2003
Slade H. Gardner, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Slade H. Gardner, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A process for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes in a continuous manner includes carbon plasma generation, plasma stabilization, and product deposition. The plasma is generated by electrical resistance heating or electron beam vaporization of feedstock. The plasma is stabilized with radio frequency energy from inductance coils and with electrical resistance heaters in the reactor. Stabilization homogenizes the plasma energy density and concentration, leading to a more efficient reactor. Finally, a transition metal catalyst and associated catalyst support are used to form the end product. The formation region may have variations of geometry and supporting equipment that will affect the rate and purity of the swcnt production. The formation region is immediately downstream from the plasma stabilization region. In addition, the entire apparatus is designed so that it can be mounted vertically such that continuous deposition of product can be applied with precision using an overhead robotic arm.