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Advanced composite materials are characterized by lightweight and unusually high stiffness, strength, modulus, etc. [1,2]. Their application field keeps on expanding as cheaper methods for synthesizing raw materials are found. Composite materials are now found in virtually all facets of applied materials [3]. Unlike a few decades ago when their application was limited to small parts; for example spoilers, failings, bonnets, etc., currently a new generation of airplane fuselage and wings are completely made of high-performance fiber reinforced composites [4–6]. The inherent high specific strength, low density, chemical and corrosion resistance [7] make them ideal for future applications. Typically, composite materials consist of a combination of two or more materials that are mixed with an aim of achieving a specific structural properties [8]. An effective composite should be able to optimize the properties of the individual components as one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we design and develop high-power electric double-layercapacitors(EDLCs) using carbon-based three dimensional (3-D) hybrid nanostructuredelectrodes. 3-D hybrid nanostructured electrodes consisting of verticallyaligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on highly porous carbon nanocups (CNCs)were synthesized by a combination of anodization and chemical vapordeposition techniques. A 3-D electrode-based supercapacitor showedenhanced areal capacitance by accommodating more charges in a givenfootprint area than that of a conventional CNC-based device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assess the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) grafting on interfacial stress transfer in fiber composites, CNTs were grown upon individual carbon T-300 fibers by chemical vapor deposition. Continuously-monitored single fiber composite (SFC) fragmentation tests were performed on both pristine and CNT-decorated fibers embedded in epoxy. The critical fragment length, fiber tensile strength at critical length, and interfacial shear strength were evaluated. Despite the fiber strength degradation resulting from the harsh CNT growth conditions, the CNT-modified fibers lead to a twofold increase in interfacial shear strength which correlates with the nearly threefold increase in apparent fiber diameter resulting from CNT grafting. These observations corroborate recently published studies with other CNT-grafted fibers. An analysis of the relative contributions to the interfacial strength of the fiber diameter and strength due to surface treatment is presented. It is concluded that the common view whereby an experimentally observed shorter average fragment length leads to a stronger interfacial adhesion is not necessarily correct, if the treatment has changed the fiber tensile strength or its diameter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]