Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to make highly aligned, wafer-scale films of densely packed single-walled carbon nanotubes. The thin films offer possibilities for making flexible electronic and photonic devices, such as bendable computer chips.
Researchers have synthesized micrometer length-scale carbon chains, surpassing previous records by more than one order of magnitude. The discovery confirms the existence of ultra-long linear carbon chains, also known as carbyne, using various advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.
Carbon nanotubes as small as eight-tenths of a nanometer in diameter can transport protons faster than bulk water. Researchers validated a 200-year-old mechanism by creating one-dimensional water wires that allow for enhanced proton conductivity.
Berkeley Lab scientists discover a family of nature-inspired polymers that spontaneously assemble into hollow crystalline nanotubes in water. The nanotubes have uniform diameters and can be tuned for specific functions, opening up new possibilities for filtration, desalination, and more.
A new Dartmouth study finds that Arctic soils are releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere at an accelerated rate due to rising temperatures and moisture levels. The research suggests that warmer conditions could create a positive feedback loop, further boosting global temperatures.
Scientists have developed a method to transform CO2 from smokestack emissions into high-value materials for lithium and sodium batteries. The process produces carbon nanotubes with stable performance, offering a potential solution for reducing environmental impact of current power plants.
Researchers have found that adding carbon nanotubes to aluminum can slow down the breakdown process caused by radiation exposure, allowing it to last longer. The new material has been shown to retain its strength and resilience even after prolonged irradiation, with reduced embrittlement and pores.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University and George Washington University have developed a way to convert carbon dioxide into batteries using graphite electrodes replaced with carbon material recovered from the atmosphere. This process produces carbon nanotubes that can be incorporated into lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, offering a ...
Researchers create flexible, high-performance coating that replaces metal braid with carbon nanotubes, benefiting airplanes and spacecraft. The new cable reduces weight by 97%, meeting military-grade standards for shielding and strength.
Researchers at Rice University and Swansea University have developed a two-step process using microwaves and chlorine to remove iron catalyst residues from carbon nanotubes. This method makes the nanotubes more pristine and suitable for applications such as drug delivery and solar panels.
A new process has been developed to isolate high-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes with minimal damage and at high purity. The technique uses supramolecular hydrogen-bonding polymers to sort nanotubes according to their structure and length, enabling precise customization for optoelectronic devices.
Scientists at Rice University and Montreal Polytechnic designed computer simulations to investigate the electromagnetic properties of graphene-boron nitride hybrids. The researchers found that these hybrid materials exhibit both electronic and magnetic properties, which could be useful in spintronic and nano-transistor applications.
A Louisiana Tech University senior has co-authored a paper on using halloysite clay nanotubes to create an antimicrobial coating that could help fight superbugs. The research was published in the prestigious journal Biomacromolecules, highlighting the potential for natural materials in biomedical technology.
Scientists developed an imaging method to measure single-walled carbon nanotube quantum capacitance, a unique property of these materials. The technique allows sub-wavelength spatial resolution and enables optimization of processing strategies, shedding light on the quantum properties of nanotubes.
Researchers at Binghamton University have discovered a material with superior mechanical properties that could be used in fighter planes and spacecraft. The boron nitride nanotubes exhibit stronger interfaces with polymers, enabling the creation of lighter yet more fuel-efficient aircraft and space shuttles.
Researchers have discovered that boron nitride nanotubes can create even stronger and more stable materials when combined with lightweight polymers than previously thought. The unique properties of boron nitride nanotubes make them an attractive alternative to carbon nanotubes for aerospace and other industries.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique for trapping hard-to-detect molecules using forests of carbon nanotubes. The team created a three-dimensional array of permeable nanotubes within a microfluidic device, which they coated with polymers to capture specific bioparticles.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created flexible, wire-shaped microsupercapacitors that can be woven into garments to power wearable electronics. The capacitors increase energy density and capacitance by coating a titanium wire with aligned carbon nanotubes, allowing for more efficient charging and discharging.
A global challenge is launched to discover new carbon-bearing minerals, with an estimated 145 yet-to-be-described minerals waiting discovery. Researchers believe most of these minerals will be hydrous carbonates, potentially making them challenging for collectors to find.
The Rice researchers used experiments and simulations to study the stiffness of joined nanotubes and found that some types are tougher than others, with all having potential uses in macroscale structures. The team discovered that the X's were the stiffest and most able to bounce back to nearly their original shapes.
A team of researchers developed a unique sensing device using chewing gum and carbon nanotubes that can track breathing and detect humidity changes. The flexible sensor, which can withstand bending and stretching up to 530% strain, has the potential to monitor body functions around the clock.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered a new phase of solid carbon, called Q-carbon, which has unusual characteristics such as ferromagnetism. They have developed a technique for creating diamond-related structures at room temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure using Q-carbon.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Earth Science found that climate change is likely to increase the input of black carbon to the Arctic Ocean. The team, led by University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist Aron Stubbins, discovered that black carbon stored in Arctic soils is being exported to the oceans.
Scientists developed a simple method to quickly detect meat spoilage using nanotubes, providing real-time analysis and high sensitivity. The test reacts in under an hour to a teaspoon of vapor emitted by the samples, indicating freshness.
Scientists at the University of South Carolina have created a new catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into carbon monoxide, a potential fuel source. The nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes are more stable and cost-effective than traditional metal-based catalysts.
A new University of Iowa study found that tree planting in the Twin Cities region offsets only one percent of the area's carbon emissions. The research identified 'hotspots' where trees are scarce and carbon generation is high, suggesting targeted tree-planting efforts may help balance carbon supply and demand.
Researchers detected carbon nanotubes in Parisian children's lung cells and exhaust pipes, suggesting widespread exposure to the pollutants. The findings prompt further investigation into the potential health effects of nanotubes, which are found naturally but also produced by human activities.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for analyzing carbon nanotubes in solution using variance spectroscopy. This technique allows for the rapid analysis of small regions in dilute nanotube solutions, providing insights into the types, numbers, and properties of nanoparticles in the solution. By zooming in on thes...
The team uses multiwall carbon nanotubes and tiny rectifiers to create an antenna that captures light from the sun or other sources, producing a small direct current. The efficiency of the devices is below one percent, but the researchers hope to boost it through optimization techniques.
Researchers have discovered that vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) can be used to capture and store greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide more effectively than traditional adsorption materials. The study found that adjusting the morphological parameters of VACNTs can significantly impact gas adsorption.
Researchers create a one-step process to make seamless carbon-based nanomaterials that possess superior thermal, electrical and mechanical properties in three dimensions. The material enables high efficiency batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells, and has potential for applications such as energy storage, sensors, and wearable ele...
Researchers have created digital switches using graphene-nanotube hybrids, outperforming existing graphene-based switches. The material's lopsided band gaps create a potential barrier that stops electrons, enabling high-speed switching.
A new study suggests that the world's deserts may be storing significant amounts of climate-changing carbon dioxide, with estimates suggesting up to 20 billion metric tons stored in underground aquifers. This discovery could improve models used to predict future climate change and enhance calculations of the Earth's carbon budget.
Researchers develop a new method to create highly stretchable conductors by aligning carbon nanotubes with rubber cores, resulting in an impressive 1000% stretch-to-conductivity ratio. This innovation has significant implications for future medical devices, optical elements, and robotics.
Scientists at University of Michigan and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center discovered microscopic nanotubes facilitating cell-to-cell communication in stem cells. The findings suggest that these structures may play a crucial role in retaining stem cell identities during division.
Rice University researchers have developed a new method to create valuable graphene nanoribbons by grinding carbon nanotubes, eliminating the need for harsh chemical solutions. This solid-state process enables strong chemical coupling between nanostructures and produces novel forms of nanostructured products with specific properties.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution calculated the first direct estimate of how much organic carbon is exported to the ocean by rivers. The study found that rivers transport approximately 200 megatons of carbon to the ocean annually, with 80% coming from terrestrial biosphere and 20% from petrogenic sources.
A study found that thawing Arctic permafrost converts 60% of its organic carbon to carbon dioxide in two weeks, potentially creating a positive feedback loop. This release could significantly affect the climate change picture by introducing ancient carbon into the global carbon cycle.
Rice University researchers discovered that double-walled carbon nanotubes can be tuned for specific electronic properties by controlling their configuration and distance between walls. The study found that combining metallic with semiconducting nanotubes could lead to the creation of nanotube transistors.
A new sensor developed by MIT chemists uses carbon nanotubes to detect gases emitted by rotting meat, offering a cheaper and more accurate alternative to traditional methods. The sensor could reduce food waste by identifying safe consumption dates for perishable items.
A team of researchers has found a way to strip out metallic carbon nanotubes from arrays using a simple, scalable procedure, leaving behind semiconducting nanotubes suitable for electronic devices. This breakthrough could lead to the development of smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that chemicals emitted by plant roots break bonds between carbon and minerals in the soil, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This process could accelerate climate warming by up to 1% per year, as current models may be underestimating carbon loss from soil.
Scientists have created buckybombs, nanoscale explosives that could target and eliminate cancer cells at the cellular level without affecting surrounding tissue. The new explosives were built by attaching nitrous oxide molecules to a Bucky-Ball and then heating it, triggering a controlled explosion.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new DNA nanotube assembly method that allows for better control over size and structure. This breakthrough could lead to applications in opto-electronics and smart drug-delivery systems.
Researchers have developed gold nanotubes that can selectively destroy cancer cells while imaging tumors, using near-infrared light to convert to heat. The technique has the potential to enhance conventional treatments with minimal toxicity.
Researchers found that a massive release of carbon dioxide from the ocean during the last ice age warmed the planet and ended the glacial period. The study, published in Nature, suggests that natural variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide are linked to carbon stored in oceans.
A new UC Berkeley study shows that combining biomass electricity production with carbon capture and sequestration can store more carbon than emitted, making the western US a critical contributor to an overall zero-carbon future. The technology could reduce emissions by up to 80% by 2050 and even become carbon-negative.
A team of chemists at Nagoya University has synthesized novel transition metal-complexed cycloparaphenylenes that enable selective monofunctionalization of CPPs. The discovery opens doors to the construction of unprecedented nanocarbons, including carbon nanotubes with new properties.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed ultra-high-purity semconducting carbon nanotubes using a new technique, enabling more efficient and durable electronics. This breakthrough could lead to flexible displays, clothing-integrated electronics, and improved consumer devices with longer battery life.
Researchers at Princeton University found that increased CO2 and plant growth could destabilize soil's carbon stores. The team developed a computer model to show the complex interaction between carbon, plants, and microorganisms in soil.
OU professors Dr. Daniel Resasco and Dr. Paul Weigel have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their innovative contributions to fields like chemical engineering and biochemistry. Their research has led to significant advancements in industries such as energy, healthcare, and biotechnology.
A new theoretical equation demonstrates that every million-million tonnes of carbon emitted will generate one degree Celsius of global warming. The research also shows that surface warming is related to total carbon emissions, with little change over time as ocean carbon and heat uptake cancel each other out.
Researchers have created a new material that can detect explosives and toxic gases in seconds, offering four advantages over current detectors: sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The breakthrough could lead to flexible solar panels and improved public safety.
Researchers have discovered that single-wall carbon nanotubes can form channels in artificial membranes and living cell membranes with comparable transport properties to protein channels. These structures are stable in solution and can transport ions and even DNA, offering a promising approach for membrane transportation mechanisms.
Researchers have created synthetic analogs of biological membrane channels using carbon nanotubes, enabling precise control over ion transport and potential applications in drug delivery, biosensing, and synthetic cells. The discovery holds promise for targeted treatment and precise molecular transport.
University of Oregon chemists use special microscope to visualize traps that disrupt energy flow in carbon nanotubes. The study provides a detailed view of internal structures of electronic waves trapped by external electrostatic charges.
Researchers have developed a new type of energy-efficient flat light source using highly crystalline single-walled carbon nanotubes as field emitters, demonstrating potential for low-power lighting devices. The device has a brightness efficiency of 60 Lumen per Watt and requires only 0.1 Watt of power consumption.
A Duke University team found that nanoparticles called single-walled carbon nanotubes accumulate rapidly in wetland sediments, potentially harming aquatic food chains. The accumulation of these nanoparticles in sediment poses concerns for both sediment-dwelling organisms and animals that eat them.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show promise as a successor to silicon for smaller, faster and cheaper electronic devices. A new method improves their reliability and performance by coating them with PVDF-TrFE, a fluoropolymer that mitigates impurities and defects.
Researchers at Rice University created patches infused with conductive single-walled carbon nanotubes to overcome limitations in current patches, which hinder the transfer of electrical signals between cardiomyocytes. The patches can serve as full-thickness repairs without inducing abnormal cardiac rhythms.