APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Optical systems
- Radiation hardening
- Structural composite materials
- MEMS, NEMS
- Thermal management systems
- Equipment in extreme temperature or oxidizing environments
- High load, high wear conditions
- Electrical insulators
- Textiles
- Cancer treatment
ADVANTAGES:
- Scalable
- Reliable
- Enables continuous production
- Non-toxic materials
- Highly cost-effective
ABSTRACT:
Alex Zettl of Berkeley Lab has developed a technology to synthesize boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and related BN-containing nanomaterials. The Berkeley Lab technology allows production of BN nanomaterials using non-toxic gases and non-laser power sources. The system can be operated continuously as long as accumulated nanomaterials are extracted during the process.
BNNTs and related materials demonstrate exceptional thermal conductivity, uniform and tunable electronic bandgap, high mechanical strength, white color and functionalization capability. However, they have not been widely applied because typical approaches to synthesize BNNTs, such as arc growth, modified chemical vapor deposition and laser vaporization, cannot be easily scaled up for industrial applications. The Berkeley Lab technology provides a reliable, scalable method of synthesizing BNNTs for use in a wide range of applications.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle.
STATUS: Issued U. S. Patent 9,394,632. Available for licensing or collaborative research.
SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:
Defect Elimination in Nanoscale Materials, IB-2125
REFERENCE NUMBER: IB-2848