Sensors and Actuators Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites: a Review

The emergence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has stimulated considerable interest in investigating their physical and mechanical properties toward the development of potential technological applications. It has been confirmed theoretically and experimentally that nanotubes possess remarkably high stiffness and strength. Carbon nanotubes also have exceptionally high electrical and thermal conductivities. The unique mechanical and physical properties of nanotubes combined with their high aspect ratio and low density have brought about extensive research in creating composite material systems to exploit these properties. Considerable interest has focused on utilizing nanotubes as passive reinforcement to tailor mechanical, electrical and thermal properties [1, 2].