Nanotubes

Nanotube Applications

The properties of nanotubes have caused researchers and companies to consider using them in several fields. For example, because carbon nanotubes have the highest strength to weight ratio of any known material, researchers at NASA are combining carbon nanotubes with other materials into composites that can be used to build lightweight spacecraft.

Another property of nanotubes is that they can easily penetrate membrances such as cell walls. In fact, nanotubes long, narrow shape make them look like miniature needles, so it makes sense that they can function like a needle at the cellular level. Medical researchers are using this property by attaching molecules that are attracted to cancer cells to nanotubes to deliver drugs directly to diseased cells.

Another interesting property of carbon nanotubes is that their electrical resistance changes significantly when other molecules attach themselves to the carbon atoms. Companies are using this property to develop sensors that can detect chemical vapors such as carbon monoxide or biological molecules.

These are just a few of the potential uses of carbon nanotubes The following survey of carbon nanotube applications introduces these and many other uses. Click on any of the links below to go to a more detailed explanation.

A survey of carbon nanotube applications under development:

Researchers and companies are working to use carbon nanotubes in various fields. The list below introduces many of these uses. Click on any of the links below to go to a detailed explanation.

Nanotubes bound to an antibody that is produced by chickens have been shown to be useful in lab tests to destroy breast cancer tumors. The antibody carrying nanotubes are attracted to proteins produced by a one type of breast cancer cell. Then the nanotubes absorb light from an infrared laser, incinerating the nanotubes and the tumor they are attached to.

Lightweight windmill blades made with an epoxy containing carbon nanotubes. The strength and low weight provided by the use of nanotube filled epoxy allows longer windmill blades to be used. This increases the amount of electricity generated by each windmill.

Aircraft using carbon nanotubes to increase strength and flexibility in highly stressed components.

Nanotube electodes in thermocells that generate electricity from waste heat.

Inexpensive nanotube based sensor that detects bacteria in drinking water. Antibodies sensitive to the particular bacteria are bound to the nanotubes, which are then deposited onto a paper strip. When the bacteria is present it attaches to the antibodies, changing the spacing between the nanotubes and the resistance of the paper strip containing the nanotubes.

Combining carbon nanotubes, bucky-balls and polymers to produce inexpensive solar cells that can be formed by simply painting a surface.

A lightweight, low power anti-icing system using carbon nanotubes in a layer coated onto aircraft wing surfaces.

Using gold tipped carbon nanotubes to trap oil drops polluting water.

Building transistors from carbon nanotubes to enable minimum transistor dimensions of a few nanometers and developing techniques to manufacture integrated circuits built with nanotube transistors.

Strong, lightweight composites of carbon nanotubes and other materials that can be used to build lightweight spacecraft.

Cables made from carbon nanotubes strong enough to be used for the Space Elevator to drastically reduce the cost of lifting people and materials into orbit.

Using nanotubes as a cellular scale needle to deliver quantum dots and proteins into cancer cells.

Ultracapacitors using nanotubes that may do even better than batteries in hybrid cars.

Stronger bicycle components made by adding carbon nanotubes to a matrix of carbon fibers.

Improve the healing process for broken bones by providing a carbon nanotube scaffold for new bone material to grow on.

Sensors using carbon nanotube detection elements capable of detecting a range of chemical vapors. These sensors depend upon the fact that the resistance of a carbon nanotube changes in the presence of a chemical vapor.

Static dissipative plastic molding compounds containing nanotubes that can be used to make parts such as automobile fenders that can be electrostatically painted.

Carbon nanotubes used to direct electrons to illuminate pixels, resulting in a lightweight, millimeter thick "nanoemissive" display panel.

Printable electronics devices using nanotube "ink" in inkjet printers

Transparent, flexible electronics devices using arrays of nanotubes.

Nanotube Company Directory

Company	Products
Eagle Windpower	Windmills with lightweight blades made with an epoxy containing carbon nanotubes.
Easton	Bicycle components that use a resin containing carbon nanotubes to fill gaps between carbon fibers and reinforce the composite material.
Unidym	Nanotube based transparent conductive film for use in applications such as LCD displays and e-paper
Nanomix	Carbon nanotube based sensors for detecting chemical vapors.
Nano-Proprietary, Inc	Sensor based upon enzyme coated carbon nanotubes for analyzing chemicals in liquid samples.
ZinRay Systems	Nanotube based X-ray systems
Zyvex Preformance Materials	Epoxy resins strengthened with carbon nanotubes
Hyperion	Nanotube based plastic mold compounds
Nano Lab	Functionalizied nanotubes and nanotube arrays
Nanoledge	Nanotube based resins
Nanocs	Functionalizied nanotubes
Nanocyl	Nanotube based epoxy resins
Amroy Europe Oy	Nanotube based epoxy resins
Bayer Material Science	Carbon nanotubes
Cheap Tubes	Carbon nanotubes
Catalytic Materials	Carbon nanotubes and graphite nanofibers
MER Corporation	Carbon nanotubes and buckyballs
NanoCarbLab	Carbon nanotubes
NanoAmor	Carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, nanowires and nanoparticles
Nanothinx	Carbon nanotubes
Rosseter Holdings	Carbon nanotubes
Nanoshel	Carbon nanotubes, metal and oxide nanoparticles
Xintek	Nanotube based cathodes, AFM probes and x-ray tubes

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