Researchers aim to develop a safety mechanism for next-generation nuclear power generators by studying carbon fiber composites embedded in a carbon matrix. The project seeks to understand how nanotubes improve the radiation-damage tolerance of ultra-thin carbon fibers.
Researchers have found semiconducting nanotubes produced by living bacteria, opening the door to cheaper and more environmentally friendly manufacture of electronic materials. The discovery could lead to novel functionality for next-generation semiconductors in nano- and opto-electronic devices.
Researchers have discovered MoSIx nanowires to be a promising alternative to carbon nanotubes for use in high-tech applications such as battery electrodes and field emission displays. The ease of synthesis and dispersion of these materials make them highly suited for commercialization.
A team of researchers from Fraunhofer Techologie-Entwicklungsgruppe has developed a measurement device to analyze the electromechanical properties of bucky paper actuators. The study provides insights into the actuation mechanism of carbon nanotubes and suggests future directions for research.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed a new method for growing controllable densities of interconnect type multiwall nanotubes with high proportions of Y-junction and multiple junction nanotubes. This breakthrough enables fine-tuning of junction structures through control of initial conditions and processing parameters.
Trinity College researchers have developed a technique to grow grid patterns of nanotube arrays, which can be used to strengthen polymer composites. This innovation is expected to lead to the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in various applications such as flat panel displays and flexible electronic devices.
Scientists from University College Cork, Dalian University of Technology, and Cardiff University developed a method for synthesizing bamboo-structured carbon nanotubes. The study found that catalytic nanoparticles played a key role in the synthesis process and acted as nucleation seeds for growth.
Researchers found that plasma treatment can convert carbon nanotube surfaces from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, allowing for instant wetting and contact angles of less than 10°. This breakthrough could pave the way for carbon nanotube incorporation into various applications.
Researchers characterize conductive and field emission properties of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, finding structure-dependent conductivity and emission. The findings bring next-gen flat panel TVs and monitors closer to reality.
The first 'State of the Carbon Cycle Report' reveals a troubling imbalance in North America's carbon budget, largely driven by human-caused emissions. The continent's natural sinks, such as forests and soils, may be unable to compensate for increasing carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University have successfully destroyed liver cancer tumors using radio waves that heat up carbon nanotubes embedded in them. While there were some side effects on healthy tissue, the study shows promise for a new therapy.
The US government is facing criticism for its lack of oversight on nanotechnology products, with expert Andrew Maynard warning of potential risks to the environment, health and workers. Maynard recommends establishing a clear risk research strategy and allocating funding for safety research and oversight.
Researchers have developed a way to use carbon nanotubes to stop bullets from penetrating material and even rebound their force. This could lead to more effective bulletproof materials that avoid blunt force trauma and critical organ damage.
A new study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reveals that blocks of carbon nanotubes can be used to create effective and powerful pressure sensors. The material's unique electrical and mechanical properties make it suitable for applications such as automobile tire pressure gauges and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
A study at the University of York found that microbes in plant roots rapidly consume sugars and convert them into carbon dioxide, creating a shortcut in the carbon cycle. This process was demonstrated using C-13-labeled carbon dioxide, allowing researchers to identify the active microbes.
Scientists have successfully measured the interaction between a single functional group and a carbon nanotube for the first time. The study found that the interaction strength depends on the electronic structure of the interacting molecule/CNT system, eliminating guesswork in designing new nanocomposite materials and devices.
Researchers develop technique to identify and repair small cracks in high-performance aircraft wings and polymer composites. A structure infused with electrically conductive carbon nanotubes can detect and repair stress-induced cracks, regaining 70% of its original strength.
Researchers at Rice University successfully detected carbon nanotubes in living fruit flies using a technique called near-infrared fluorescent imaging. The study found that only a small percentage of the nanotubes were incorporated into the flies' organs, suggesting potential for early disease detection and monitoring.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new material that enhances bone growth on orthopaedic implants, increasing the success rate of joint replacements and other implants. The new material, created by applying carbon nanotubes to anodized titanium, encourages bone cells to grow faster and produce more calcium.
A new company, Nanotailor, has licensed NASA Goddard's innovative process to produce high-quality, low-cost single-walled carbon nanotubes. This technology will benefit industries such as medical, construction, manufacturing, and imaging, making affordable nanotechnology available for a broad range of applications.
Researchers found that SWCNTs can kill bacteria like E. coli by severely damaging their cell walls, and this effect is only seen when there is direct contact between the nanotubes and the bacteria.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a way to control the dimensions of metal oxide nanotubes with sub-nanometer precision and lengths with precision of a few nanometers. The breakthrough could lead to new applications for inorganic nanotubes and other nanostructures.
A new analysis has identified cancer-causing compounds, air pollutants, and other substances of concern in the production of carbon nanotubes. Researchers are working with industry partners to develop environmentally sustainable manufacturing methods and filter systems to minimize hazardous by-products.
A new study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reveals that carbon nanotubes exhibit fatigue resistance similar to soft tissue, making them suitable for creating synthetic muscle or electro-mechanical systems. The researchers successfully compressed the nanotube block over 500,000 times without significant degradation.
Scientists developed a flexible patch that can stick and unstick repeatedly like a gecko foot, featuring carbon nanotube hairs for improved properties. The material has potential applications in robotics, electronic devices, and outer space.
Researchers at Stanford University are investigating carbon capture and storage as a solution to combat global warming. The technology can trap over 90% of an individual plant's carbon emissions, making heavy carbon spewers such as coal power plants relatively clean.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have overcome a major obstacle in producing fluorescent nanotubes, which can be used as contrast agents in cells and tissues. The breakthrough allows for the creation of trillions of nanotubes with high quantum efficiency, making them suitable for medical applications such as anti-cancer treatments.
Researchers used nanotechnology to study exciton mobility on carbon nanotubes, revealing that each excition travels about 90 nanometers and visits some 10,000 carbon atoms during its lifespan. The unique properties of carbon nanotubes made them an ideal system for observing single-molecule reactions.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to compact carbon nanotubes into dense bundles, which could outperform copper as an electrical conductor. The process boosts the density of these bundles by five to 25 times and is expected to play a critical role in the development of 3-D computer chips.
Researchers create nanotubes to deliver therapeutic proteins or drugs in a highly-controlled manner, avoiding side effects and improving treatment outcomes. The method targets the drug where it is needed, reducing dosage and promoting better absorption.
Researchers found that a soil model can accurately estimate carbon levels in soil, enabling farmers to verify soil carbon change and sell carbon credits. The Century model's accuracy depends on accurate soil texture data, highlighting the need for benchmark monitoring sites.
Researchers at UC San Diego are studying spiral-shaped carbon nanotubes for new switching and memory storage devices. These nanotubes may outperform conventional silicon technologies in terms of power consumption, radiation hardness, and heat dissipation.
A recent analysis reveals that inland water bodies are significant areas of terrestrial carbon transformation, deserving inclusion in global carbon cycle assessments. The findings show that rivers transport complex transformations of carbon, with half entering the atmosphere and 12% stored in sediments.
Researchers at NIST found that short DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes can selectively absorb into human lung cells, posing a potential health risk. The team's study suggests that the length of the nanotube plays a significant role in determining cellular uptake and toxicity.
Researchers have developed a simple and scalable assembly to integrate carbon nanotube structures on silicon chips, improving thermal management without increasing device weight. The cooling performance is comparable to that of copper, a significant advantage in miniaturized electronics.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that carbon nanotubes inhibited growth in mammalian cells but sustained bacterial growth, highlighting the need for further research on nanotechnology's environmental impacts. The studies suggest different nanomaterials have varying effects on human health and the environment.
Researchers have developed an approach using dense arrays of aligned nanotubes as a thin-film semiconductor material for integration into electronic devices. The arrays can be transferred to unusual substrates and enhance the performance of conventional silicon-based chip technology.
A new study reveals that elevated CO2 levels stimulate soils to release carbon dioxide, rather than store it. The research found that soil loss due to decomposition offsets gains in plant biomass, suggesting that soils may not be a reliable carbon sink under high CO2 conditions.
The L'Oréal-UNESCO Award For Women in Science recognizes five outstanding female researchers, including Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus, who pioneered carbon nanotube research at MIT's School of Engineering. The award honors their contributions to various fields, including medicinal chemistry and bio-medical applications.
Carbon nanotubes successfully deliver RNA fragments that shut off genes for HIV-specific receptors on human T-cells. This approach significantly slows down HIV infection by blocking the virus's entry points.
Researchers discovered that carbon nanotubes can repair themselves by moving blemishes across the surface of the material, sewing up larger holes as they go. This self-repair mechanism allows the nanotube to retain its strength despite severe damage, but comes with a price: releasing energy and mass in the form of gaseous carbon atoms.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new method to rapidly assess the quality of carbon nanotubes by spraying coatings onto a quartz crystal, measuring resonant frequency changes to detect mass variations and gauge consistency among samples. The new technique outperforms standard analytic methods in speed and sample analysis.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created new hybrid structures combining the strengths of carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires. This technique allows precise attachment of carbon nanotubes to individual metal pins, offering a practical solution for using carbon nanotubes in computer chips.
Researchers at NIST and NREL demonstrate a simple laser-based method for purifying raw nanotube materials, significantly reducing impurities. The technique uses carefully calibrated laser pulses to react with contaminants, resulting in cleaner samples that can be used in various applications.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) remain suspended for over a month when mixed with natural organic matter in water, making them more likely to be transported in the environment. The study highlights the need to study nanomaterials' environmental impact before commercial applications.
Researchers at Rice University and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that carbon nanotubes injected into lab animals cause no immediate harm and circulate in the blood and liver for over an hour before being eliminated. The study provides promising results for biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes.
The Delft University of Technology has successfully created the world's smallest piano wire, measuring approximately 2 nanometers in diameter. The researchers used carbon nanotubes and developed a model to predict their vibrations, which can be used for mass sensors and other applications.
A type of carbon from plant waxy material has been accumulating in soils for 11,000 years, challenging current models of the Earth's carbon cycle. This resilient carbon pool is thought to be responsible for long-term carbon storage on land and may play a role in offsetting increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Rice University chemists have successfully created and grown carbon nanotube seeds, which can be used to produce large quantities of pure nanotubes. The breakthrough offers significant potential for various materials applications, including energy storage and electronics.
NASA Goddard's carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and can conduct electricity like copper, with applications in materials science, electronics, and medicine. The technology has been licensed to Idaho Space Materials, making it more accessible for research and development.
Researchers developed carbon nanotube films that can stimulate nerve cells without damage, enabling potential use in pain management and muscle control. The technology bridges the gap between biology and electronics, offering new possibilities for biomedical devices.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed two new techniques to attach carbon nanotubes to metal surfaces, overcoming key hurdles to using them in computer chips, displays, and sensors. The techniques use either high-temperature chemical vapor deposition or a low-temperature contact printing method, allowing for st...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes by their diameter and electronic structure, overcoming the problem of structural heterogeneity that has limited their widespread use. This method, which exploits subtle differences in buoyant densities, promises to enable the produ...
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to detect defects in composite materials using a network of carbon nanotubes. The discovery has significant implications for predicting the lifespan of composite materials and ensuring their safety in various applications, including commercial airliners.
Researchers at Clemson University have created a nanotechnology-based countermeasure to render anthrax spores harmless. The method uses sugar-coated carbon nanotubes to bind with the spores, preventing their inhalation and destruction.
Researchers at MIT have identified a class of chemical molecules that preserve the metallic properties of carbon nanotubes, enabling them to be assembled and manipulated without losing conductivity. This breakthrough has potential applications in detectors, sensors, and optoelectronics.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and Motorola Labs developed sensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes that can detect heavy metal ions in water at parts per trillion levels. The devices use peptides to recognize specific compounds, allowing for selective detection of toxic chemicals.
Researchers develop nanotubes to enhance adult stem cells' ability to differentiate into neurons in stroke-damaged rat brains. Additionally, nanoparticles promote formation of blood vessels and boost cardiovascular function after heart attacks.
Researchers have created tiny test tubes made of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which enables them to probe the role of extreme molecular confinement on chemical behavior. The nanotubes allow water molecules to bond together into rings and shield reactive molecules from reacting with other chemicals.
Researchers print carbon nanotubes on paper and plastic surfaces, creating conductive patterns that could be used in flexible electronics, sensors, and other applications. The approach is simple, versatile, and inexpensive, making it a potential alternative to current methods.