US Patent 8168291 - Ceramic composite containing CNT infused fiber

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168291.html

This patent from Applied Nanostructured Solutions teaches forming composites using fibers with carbon nanotubes grown on the surface providing the advantages of EMI shielding and improved strength in materials such as concrete. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composite material comprising:

a sintered ceramic matrix; and

a carbon nanotube-infused fiber material distributed in the sintered ceramic matrix, wherein the carbon nanotube-infused fiber material comprises a fiber material, carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, and

a passivation layer overcoating the carbon nanotubes.