Described herein are a molecular memory obtained using DNA strand molecular switches and carbon nanotubes, and a manufacturing method thereof. In particular, the nonvolatile memory is manufactured according to an architecture that envisages the use of carbon nanotubes as electrical connectors and DNA strands as physical means on which to write the information. In other words, the nonvolatile memory is made by means of a set of molecular DNA strand switches, the addressing of which is controlled by molecular wires made up of carbon nanotubes.

A system and method for manipulation of nanotubes using an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. Exemplary types of manipulation include cutting nanotubes into shortened nanotubes, dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes. The organic material used in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a solid organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material used for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

Electrical, thermal and mechanical applications are provided for nanocomposite materials having low percolation thresholds for electrical conductivity, low percolation thresholds for thermal conductivity, or improved mechanical properties.

A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel .pi.-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups for solubilizing such nanotubes. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel .pi.-stacking. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.