Other aerospace applications of carbon nanotubes

Nanotechnology can be applied in many other scientific sectors of aerospace 

Chemical force microscopy nanostructures and in a special way functionalized carbon nanotubes allows selective micrographs to be created based on chemical discrimination (chemical force microscopy). With functionalized nanostructures it is possible to improve the special resolution of the micrographs produced by increasing the chemical reactivity of the samples. The chemical interaction between nanotubes and chemical species present on the observed surface, allows a chemical mapping of the analyzed sample to be performed. 

Field emission carbon nanotubes have been demonstrated to be very efficient field emitters. Using this fundamental property new innovative electronic devices may be developed, including flat panel, computers, X-ray facilities, etc. Eor example, replacing the traditional glass support of 

TV and PC screens with nanostructured polymeric materials would make it possible to produce a flexible screen. In addition, the use of carbon nanotubes gives the possibility of developing devices with high electronic emission stability, mechanical resistance and longer lifetimes. 

Chemical sensors the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (single wall or multiwall) were recently demonstrated to be very sensitive to chemical composition variations of the surrounding atmosphere at room temperature. This very interesting property would allow an iimovative chemical sensor to be designed with high sensibility and capability to detect various chemical substances. 

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