Application fields overview of carbon nanotubes in electronics and propulsion: CNTs photo-ignition by white power LEDs for improved fuels combustion

The aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview about the possible applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on two of the most crucial fields of the modern civilization, namely the electronic and propulsion ones. Specifically, implementation examples of some common electronic devices as MOSFETs, diodes and sensors, based on the unusual and exotic properties of CNTs are briefly shown. Moreover, by exploiting the photo-ignition property of CNTs (by means of an intense luminous pulse), this carbon-based material can be used to trigger the combustion of different kind of fuels in propulsion applications. In this context, the experimental results of the photo-ignition process of dry mixtures of CNTs enriched with metallic catalyzer, employing LED-based radiation source, are reported as well as the results related to the combustion tests of different fuels, mixed with air, in a combustion chamber.