F A Hill et al 2009 J. Micromech. Microeng. 19 094015 doi:10.1088/0960-1317/19/9/094015
F A Hill1, T F Havel1, A J Hart2 and C Livermore1
Show affiliationsThe potential performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as springs for elastic energy storage is evaluated. Models are used to determine an upper bound on the energy density that can be stored in defect-free individual CNTs and in assemblies of such CNTs. The models reveal that optimal energy density may be achieved in small-diameter single-walled CNTs loaded in tension, with a maximum theoretical energy density for CNT groupings of 7.8 × 106 kJ m−3. Millimeter-scale CNT springs are constructed using 3 mm tall forests of multi-walled CNTs as the starting material, and tensile tests are performed to measure the springs' stiffness, strength and elastic properties. The measured strain energy density of these continuous CNT fibers is comparable to the energy density of steel springs.
81.40.Jj Elasticity and anelasticity, stress-strain relations
62.25.-g Mechanical properties of nanoscale systems
84.60.Rb Thermoelectric, electrogasdynamic and other direct energy conversion
Nanoscale science and low-D systems
Issue 9 (September 2009)
Received 13 January 2009, in final form 24 March 2009
Published 26 August 2009
F A Hill et al 2009 J. Micromech. Microeng. 19 094015
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