CARBON NANOTUBES - SCI & TECH
News: Scientists developed first carbon nanotube computer
What's in the news?
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Recently, Scientists, led
by an Indian-origin researcher, have developed the world’s first computer built
entirely with carbon nanotubes, opening the door to a new generation of faster-running
digital devices.
Carbon nanotube:
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Carbon nanotubes often
refer to single-wall carbon
nanotubes (SWCNTs) with diameters in the range of a nanometer.
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Carbon nanotubes also
often refer to multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consisting of nested
single-wall carbon nanotubes, weakly
bound together by van der Waals interactions in a tree ring-like structure.
Features:
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Carbon nanotubes, a semiconductor material, have the
potential to launch a new generation of electronic devices that run faster,
while using less energy, than those made from silicon chips.
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CNTs are long chains of carbon atoms that are
extremely efficient at conducting and
controlling electricity.
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They are so thin, thousands of CNTs could fit
side by side in a human hair, that it takes very little energy to switch them
off.
Uses:
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Carbon nanotubes are
promising drug delivery platforms
that can be functionalized with a variety of biomolecules, such as antibodies,
proteins or DNA. This allow for specific target payload delivery to particular
tissue, organ or cell.
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Carbon nanotubes are
well-suited for virtually any application requiring high strength, durability, electrical conductivity, thermal
conductivity and lightweight properties compared to conventional materials.
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Carbon nanotubes are
mainly used as additives to synthetics.
CNTs are commercially available as a powder form.
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Carbon nanotubes can be chemically modified.
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Carbon nanotubes can also
be spun into fibers, which promise interesting possibilities for specialty
textiles.
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NASA has demonstrated the
use of carbon nanotube arrays as biosensors.
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Used in electric wires to reduce losses.
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It can replace silicon made transistors as
they are small and emit less heat and it can revolutionize electronics.
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Can be used in solar cells.