Patent ID: 9017537
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: B03C,B41J,B82Y,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of separating metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes comprising: providing a source of a mixture of semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes in a carrier liquid, one of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes being functionalized to carry a charge; providing a nozzle in liquid communication with the source; pressurizing the source of the mixture to a pressure sufficient to cause a liquid jet of the mixture to be emitted through the nozzle; providing a drop formation mechanism; modulating the liquid jet using the drop formation mechanism to cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into a first drop and a second drop, the first drop and the second drop traveling along a path; providing an electric field modulating device positioned relative to the liquid jet, the electric field modulating device including: providing a deflection device; applying the first electric field as the first drop is formed to concentrate the functionalized carbon nanotubes in the first drop; applying the second electric field as the second drop is formed; and causing the first drop to begin traveling along a second path using the deflection device, wherein the nozzle further comprises a plurality of nozzles in liquid communication with the source.