Challenges in the Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes for Real-World Applications

Presenter: Dr. Mark Banash (President, Neotericon)

Carbon nanotubes have been studied in the laboratory for decades, but manufacture of them at a commercial scale is still elusive.  The changes in the chemical and physical properties that occur at the nanoscale create problems in achieving controlled synthesis.  Also, existing analytical techniques are likewise limited in what they can characterize and quantify.  Even the role of reactants is disputed, and many proposed mechanisms do not match experimentally observed results.  All of these issues restrain these materials from their applications in composites and renewable energy.  Despite the scale, concepts from classical thermodynamics and elementary molecular orbital theory can provide insight into the nature of these problems as well as guidance into the experiments needed to resolve them.

Prior to becoming involved with nanotechnology in the early 2000s, Dr. Banash had been working in industry doing research on surfactants, biocides, ceramics, glasses, optical fibers, and polymer coatings.  In 2003 he joined Zyvex, an early nanotechnology company, in Richardson, TX overseeing the development and manufacture of their carbon nanotube-based polymer resins as well as their nanomanipulator systems for electron microscopy.  In 2007 he joined Nanocomp Technologies, now in Merrimack, NH as Vice President, Chief Scientist where his duties included the synthesis, production, processing, and characterization of the company’s carbon nanotube-based yarns and fabrics, as well as developing new classes of nanotube dispersing agents for use with advanced composites.  Since leaving Nanocomp in 2018, he has been CTO of DarkPulse, a start-up fiber optic sensor company, and President of Neotericon, his nanotechnology consultancy.  Besides his Ph.D. from Princeton, Dr. Banash has a BA in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvanica and a MBA from the University of Maryland, University College, where he was adjunct professor of Technology Management for 10 years.  He also works with NIST and ANSI on nanomaterial standards development, NIOSH on environmental, safety, and health issues with nanomaterials, and has worked with both the EPA and DC law firms on their regulatory and liability issues.  He holds a Six Sigma Black Belt in experimental design and statistical process control.