From: Brett Paatsch (paatschb@optusnet.com.au)
Date: Mon May 26 2003 - 02:00:53 MDT
Robert Bradbury writes:
> On Sun, 25 May 2003, Party of Citizens wrote:
>
> > What is there about so-called carbon nanotubes which links them to
> > nanotechnology any more than any other molecule?
>
> I'm assuming this is a "serious" question.
>
> It involves (a) the precise structure of covalent bonding
> between the carbon atoms (in a buckyball/nanotube structure) --
> there are more covalent bonds between the atoms in the material
> per unit volume compared with other materials (proteins,
> cellulose, etc.); and (b) it is potentially one of the
> strongest known linear molecules (other linear molecules
> which have found uses that I can quickly think of include
> polyester, rayon and nylon).
>
> Nanotubes are linked to nanotech because at least in their
> diameter they are at the "nanoscale" (i.e. less than 100 nm
> as defined by the National Science Foundation). Their
> claim to fame (vs. polyester, etc.) is that they simply
> happen to be stronger. They also have some other interesting
> properties (they can be semiconductors, they *might* be able
> to wire together small electronic circuits in chips, they *might*
> be able to store hydrogen, etc. -- these are not properties one
> generally finds in more commonly known long molecules with nanoscale
> dimensions.
>
> To a large extent it remains to be seen whether the results will
> eventually match the hype. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Robert, it is my understanding that there are still some severe limits
on the length to which nanotubes can be produced, any idea of what
this might be at present and what the limiting factor(s) are in producing
these to longer lengths?
Also, when it comes to nanotubes as potential hollow containers or
short "pipes" what sorts of hollow diametres have been produced?
Clearly this depends on how many carbon atoms are in the cylindrical
cross section which in turn would be constrained by the bond angles
between some maximal and minimal ranges but do you know offhand
if say a double strand of dna could be contained in the hollow within a
constructible nanotube?
Regards,
Brett
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