US Patent 7758776 - Fused freeform nanotube composite

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758776.html

This patent from Lockheed Martin has relatively early priority (Nov. 3, 2000) and includes some basic claims to composite structures formed from carbon nanotube fibers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A free form composite structure comprising:

a plurality of discrete nodal elements, each of the nodal elements comprising:

a matrix; and

a multiplicity of reinforcement elements formed of carbon nanotubes;

wherein the multiplicity of reinforcement elements are dispersed throughout the matrix; and

wherein the plurality of nodal elements are arranged and fused with respect to one another to form the free form composite structure.