Articles tagged with "carbon-nanotubes"
China discovers naturally occurring carbon nanotubes in lunar soil
Researchers from Jilin University have discovered naturally occurring single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in lunar soil samples returned by China’s 2024 Chang’e-6 mission from the Moon’s far side. Previously, these complex nanostructures—cylindrical carbon molecules just one atom thick—were thought to be producible only in controlled laboratory environments using vacuum chambers, precise temperatures, and metal catalysts. This finding provides the first definitive evidence that nature can spontaneously create such advanced nanomaterials, highlighting the Moon’s chemically dynamic environment. The study explains that these nanotubes formed through extreme lunar processes, including micrometeorite impacts, volcanic activity, and solar wind irradiation. High-speed impacts vaporized carbon from solar wind and meteorites, and as the vapor cooled rapidly, iron particles acted as catalysts to assemble the carbon atoms into single-walled nanotubes rather than ordinary soot. This natural synthesis suggests that the Moon’s surface acts as a nanofactory under harsh conditions, potentially enabling
carbon-nanotubeslunar-soiladvanced-materialsnanotechnologyspace-explorationdeep-space-resourcesmaterials-scienceCarbon nanotube-embedded lithium batteries could power drones, EVs
Researchers at Gyeongsang National University in Korea have developed a novel approach to structural lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on quartz-woven fabrics (QWFs) to serve as multifunctional electrodes. This innovation addresses a key challenge in LIB design: creating batteries that not only store energy efficiently but also bear mechanical loads, thereby reducing weight and improving safety. Traditional LIBs add significant weight without contributing structurally, which is a limitation especially in aerospace and electric vehicle (EV) applications where efficiency is critical. Quartz-woven fabrics offer excellent dimensional stability, chemical inertness, and thermal resistance but lack electrical conductivity, which the CNTs effectively provide by forming electron transport networks and reinforcing the electrode matrix. Using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method with nickel catalysts, the researchers achieved uniform CNT growth on QWFs, optimizing the process at two temperatures (600°C and 700°C). The sample grown at 700°C (C-QWF-
carbon-nanotubeslithium-ion-batteriesenergy-storageelectric-vehiclesdronesstructural-materialsbattery-technologyTrigger-based single photons generated on demand for quantum tech
Researchers in Japan have developed a laser-guided fabrication technique that enables precise placement of a single quantum light source—a color center—within a carbon nanotube. By suspending a carbon nanotube across a narrow trench and exposing it to iodobenzene vapor, they used a focused ultraviolet laser to trigger a localized chemical reaction that creates a defect acting as a quantum emitter. Continuous real-time monitoring of the nanotube’s photoluminescence allowed the team to stop the reaction immediately after forming a single color center, ensuring only one photon-emitting site was created at a controlled position with micrometer precision. This method overcomes previous challenges where multiple, unpredictable emission sites formed along the nanotube, which hindered practical quantum applications. This breakthrough is significant because carbon nanotubes can emit single photons at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths compatible with existing optical fiber networks, unlike many other materials that require extreme cooling. The ability to generate single photons on demand and at precise locations opens the door to scalable quantum phot
quantum-communicationsingle-photon-sourcecarbon-nanotubesquantum-technologymaterials-sciencephotoluminescencenanofabricationCambridge reactor shows 99% gas recycling can deliver hydrogen fuel
Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a breakthrough methane pyrolysis reactor that simultaneously produces high-quality carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and clean hydrogen fuel without emitting carbon dioxide. By operating the reactor at 2372°F (1300°C) and employing a multi-pass system that recycles 99% of the methane gas, the team significantly improved efficiency compared to traditional single-pass floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) methods. This approach enhances carbon nanotube production by over eightfold and achieves a 446-fold increase in molar process efficiency, meaning the system uses gas molecules far more effectively. The multi-pass reactor loops methane gas through the pyrolysis process multiple times until nearly all methane is converted into CNTs and hydrogen in a 3:1 ratio, eliminating the need for additional hydrogen input and reducing waste. The researchers also demonstrated the reactor’s ability to process a methane and carbon dioxide mixture, simulating biogas plant output, indicating potential for sustainable fuel and material production. These findings, published
energyhydrogen-fuelcarbon-nanotubesmethane-pyrolysisclean-energymaterials-sciencereactor-technologyNanotube design could shrink particle accelerators to hair-thin size
New research demonstrates that particle accelerators capable of producing intense, coherent X-rays—traditionally generated only by massive synchrotron facilities—could be miniaturized to fit on a table using carbon nanotubes combined with laser light. The key innovation involves exploiting surface plasmon polaritons, waves formed when laser light interacts with a material’s surface. Simulations showed that a circularly polarized laser pulse traveling through tiny hollow carbon nanotubes can trap and accelerate electrons in a synchronized spiral, producing coherent X-ray radiation amplified by up to 100 times. Carbon nanotubes, arranged in vertically aligned arrays called "forests," serve as ideal channels for this corkscrewing laser light, tolerating electric fields far stronger than conventional accelerators and enabling electric fields of several teravolts per meter—exceeding current technology limits. This advancement could democratize access to high-quality X-ray sources, currently limited to large national facilities with competitive access. Tabletop accelerators could enable hospitals, universities,
nanotubesparticle-acceleratorscarbon-nanotubesmaterials-sciencenanotechnologyX-ray-technologyadvanced-materialsThe Physics of A Space Elevator
The article "The Physics of A Space Elevator" discusses the concept of a space elevator as a long-envisioned solution for affordable and reusable access to space, eliminating the costs and environmental impact associated with traditional single-use rockets. Despite its appeal, the article highlights that humanity has yet to realize this vision due to significant technical and material challenges. Key obstacles include the need for materials with extraordinary tensile strength to construct the elevator cable, which must extend from Earth's surface into space while supporting its own weight and withstanding environmental stresses. Current materials do not meet these stringent requirements, making the construction of a functional space elevator unfeasible with today's technology. The article implies that advances in material science and engineering are essential before this concept can move from dream to reality.
materialsspace-elevatornanomaterialstensile-strengthcarbon-nanotubesadvanced-materialsspace-technologyDuke engineers break size barrier to print recyclable electronics
Duke University engineers have developed a novel printing technique called high precision capillary printing that enables the creation of fully functional, recyclable carbon-based electronics at sub-micrometer scales. This breakthrough overcomes a previous size limitation of 10 micrometers, allowing the printing of thin-film transistors (TFTs) with features separated by tiny gaps that enhance electrical performance. The team used inks derived from nanocellulose, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, which can be printed on various substrates including glass, silicon, and flexible materials like paper. These advances could enable environmentally friendly manufacturing of electronic displays, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods. While the printed transistors are not intended to replace high-performance silicon chips, they show promise for applications in display technologies, particularly OLEDs, which demand higher current and multiple transistors per pixel. The technology could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the $150 billion display industry and help revitalize U.S. manufacturing in a market currently dominated
materialsrecyclable-electronicsprinted-electronicscarbon-based-transistorsnanocellulosegraphenecarbon-nanotubesNew carbon nanotube insulation can resist temperatures exceeding 4,700°F
Chinese researchers at Tsinghua University have developed a novel carbon nanotube-based insulation film capable of withstanding temperatures up to 4,712°F (2,600°C), significantly surpassing the limits of conventional insulators that typically fail above 2,732°F (1,500°C). This ultralight, porous, multilayered material is made by growing vertical carbon nanotube arrays and drawing them into thin sheets, which are then stacked or wound into layers. The structure effectively blocks all three modes of heat transfer—solid conduction, gas conduction, and radiative heat transfer—by exploiting the nanotubes’ nanoscale dimensions, pore size, and unique electronic properties that absorb and scatter infrared radiation. The new insulation exhibits an exceptionally low thermal conductivity of 0.004 W/mK at room temperature and 0.03 W/mK at 2,600°C, outperforming common high-temperature insulators like graphite felt, which has a thermal conductivity of 1.6 W/m
materialscarbon-nanotubeshigh-temperature-insulationthermal-conductivityaerospace-materialsenergy-applicationsnanotechnologyWorld's first metal-free motor could supercharge EVs and spacecraft
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed the world’s first fully functional electric motor made entirely without metal components, using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) instead of traditional copper coils. This metal-free motor demonstrates a 133% increase in electrical conductivity and is 80% lighter than conventional copper-based motors. The innovation addresses a critical challenge in transportation—lightweighting—which can significantly improve energy efficiency, battery performance, and range in electric vehicles, drones, and spacecraft. The motor was successfully tested by powering a scale model car on asphalt roads, achieving speeds over half a meter per second and continuous operation for 60 minutes under varying loads. A key breakthrough enabling this development was a novel purification technique called the LAST (Lyotropic Liquid Crystal-Assisted Surface Texturing) process. This method removes metal catalyst impurities embedded in CNTs during production, reducing contamination from 12.7% to less than 0.8%, while preserving the nanotubes’ electrical properties. The process involves dissolving CNTs in chlorosulfonic acid to form a liquid crystal state that self-aligns the tubes; exposure to water then generates hydrochloric acid that eliminates iron impurities. The purified CNT cables achieved an electrical conductivity of 7.7 megasiemens per meter, comparable to copper but at a fraction of the weight (1.7 g/cm³ vs. copper’s 8.9 g/cm³). This advancement holds promise for significantly reducing motor weight across various applications without compromising performance.
materialscarbon-nanotubeselectric-motorlightweight-technologyelectric-vehiclesspacecraftenergy-efficiency