Nanotubes smash length record

May 21/28, 2003

Duke University researchers have found a way to make especially long, well-aligned carbon nanotubes. Nanotubes, which are rolled-up, single-atom-thick sheets of carbon, have great potential as components of nanomachines and nanoelectronics.

The researchers' method produces nanotubes as long as two millimeters, which is 100 times longer than previous efforts, according to the researchers. The nanotubes were 2.5 nanometers in diameter, or about the length of a row of 25 hydrogen atoms. A nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter.

The key to making the straight, long nanotubes is a hot flow of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases. The researchers used tiny clusters of iron and molybdenum positioned on a small rectangle of silicon as a catalyst; the long nanotubes formed in the direction of the gas flow.

The researchers also reoriented the gas flow to make cross-connecting grids of nanotubes. Such patterns of tubes could form the basic building blocks of nanoscale circuitry. The nanotubes' length make them easier to handle; a single tube could even form several electronic components.

The technique should be perfected in two to five years, according to the researchers. The work appeared in the April 22, 2003 issue of the Journal of American Chemical Society.


Page One

Hydrogen storage eased

Flexible display slims down

Simulated evolution gets complex

Model explains market movements

News briefs:
Big qubits linked over distance
Software maps group work
Magnesium batteries show mettle
Nanotubes smash length record
DNA sensor changes color
Sensor serves up body slices




Research Watch blog

View from the High Ground Q&A
How It Works

RSS Feeds:
News  | Blog

Ad links:
Buy an ad link


Advertisements:



Ad links: Clear History

Buy an ad link

 
Home     Archive     Resources    Feeds     Glossary
TRN Finder     Research Dir.    Events Dir.      Researchers     Bookshelf
   Contribute      Under Development     T-shirts etc.     Classifieds


© Copyright Technology Research News, LLC 2000-2010. All rights reserved.