| abstract |
Methods for manufacturing nanotube composite materials are provided. One method includes providing a nonwoven sheet of nanotubes (11) and infiltrating the sheet with a resin material. The infiltrated sheet is subsequently heated to pyrolize the resin. Another method includes providing a carbon-containing resin material and adding an appropriate concentration of catalyst particles. Thereafter, the catalyzed resin may be subject to a high temperature range, at which point carbon in the resin begins to couple to the catalyst particles. Continual exposure to high temperature leads to additional attachment of carbon to existing carbon on the particles, producing an array of multi wall carbon nanotubes (31) and composite material. A stent (40) may be manufactured from the composite material. |