A lot of effort and progress has been made during the past decade in the prepration and characterization of the flexible FEAs based on CNTs and other materials. In addition, the flexible field emitters, expecially CNT-based emitters, have developed into a new research field.Several strategies,such as attachment, composite matrix and direct growth methods, have been successfully developed for CNT flexible emitters and have exhibited considerable electron emission properties.

However, carbon nanotubes-based flexible field emitters are still in the development stage.Therefore,there is not much information available yet regarding the lifetime and triode structure of flexible emitter arrays. The lifetime may be affected by the potential rise of the partial pressure of oxygen inside the devices. Compared to conventional field emission devices, flexible devices must be exposed to mechanical stresses, such as compression, tension and torsion. Under these conditions,there must be no leak generation to prevent oxygen gases from entering the flexible devices. For aoolication to type condigurations.

Nevertheless, considering the excellent emission properties from CNTs and recent progress in this field, the authors believe that carbon-based flexible field emitters and, in particular, CNTs offer the most promising route to achieving this goal and making CNT-based flexible field emitters a commerical reality. Peototypes and widely available commercial products containing CNT-based FEAs are eagerly anticipated.