An ultrabright and monochromatic electron point source made of a LaB6 nanowire.

Electron sources in the form of one-dimensional nanotubes and nanowires are an essential tool for investigations in a variety of fields, such as X-ray computed tomography, flexible displays, chemical sensors and electron optics applications. However, field emission instability and the need to work under high-vacuum or high-temperature conditions have imposed stringent requirements that are currently limiting the range of application of electron sources. Here we report the fabrication of a LaB6 nanowire with only a few La atoms bonded on the tip that emits collimated electrons from a single point with high monochromaticity.

Co(OH) nanosheet-decorated graphene-CNT composite for supercapacitors of high energy density.

A composite of graphene and carbon nanotubes has been synthesized and characterized for application as supercapacitor electrodes. By coating the nanostructured active material of Co(OH) onto one electrode, the asymmetric supercapacitor has exhibited a high specific capacitance of 310 F g, energy density of 172 Wh kg and maximum power density of 198 kW kg in ionic liquid electrolyte EMI-TFSI.

Carbon composite microelectrodes fabricated by electrophoretic deposition.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes were deposited on one end of the etched carbon fiber electrodes by an electrophoretic method. The carbon nanotube bundles formed a dense network on the carbon fiber surface. The electrochemical properties of the composite carbon electrodes were studied in the buffered neutral solutions.

Graphene and carbon nanotube composite electrodes for supercapacitors with ultra-high energy density.

We describe a graphene and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite film prepared by a blending process for use as electrodes in high energy density supercapacitors. Specific capacitances of 290.6 F g(-1) and 201.

Effects of surfactants on spinning carbon nanotube fibers by an electrophoretic method.

Thin fibers were spun from a colloidal solution of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using an electrophoretic method. Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (NaDDBS) was chosen as a surfactant and showed good performance owing to its special chemical structure. The highest spinning velocity reached 0.

Nanostructured LaB6 field emitter with lowest apical work function.

LaB(6) nanowires are ideal for applications as an electrical field-induced ion and electron point source due to their miniature dimensions, low work function, as well as excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. We present here a reliable method to fabricate and assemble single LaB(6) nanowire-based field emitters of different crystal orientations. The atomic arrangement, emission brightness from each crystal plane, and field emission stability have been characterized using field ion microscopy (FIM) and field emission microscopy (FEM).

Ultrathin carbon nanotube fibrils of high electrochemical capacitance.

We have assembled single-wall carbon nanotubes into ultrathin long fibrils using a dielectrophoretic technique and studied the mechanical and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotube fibrils. The diameter of the fibrils can be controlled in the range of 200 nm to 2 mum, and the length can reach as long as 1 cm. The obtained fibrils have a tensile strength of about 65 MPa, electrical conductivity ranging from 80 to 200 S cm(-1), and specific capacitance more than 200 F g(-1).

Microassembly of semiconductor three-dimensional photonic crystals.

Electronic devices and their highly integrated components formed from semiconductor crystals contain complex three-dimensional (3D) arrangements of elements and wiring. Photonic crystals, being analogous to semiconductor crystals, are expected to require a 3D structure to form successful optoelectronic devices. Here, we report a novel fabrication technology for a semiconductor 3D photonic crystal by uniting integrated circuit processing technology with micromanipulation.