There seems to a kind of binding and cooperative force that exists within groups of nanotubes. This is not the case with individual tubes. It is like the bond between groups of living beings. The relation binds them together. But what is it with nanotubes?
This mysterious force was observed when the nanotubes are tested for their fatigue. The nanotubes are compressed over and again. Every second for over 100 hours. But they found that the groups of nanotubes are regaining their original shape even after hundreds of thousands of repetitive compressions.
The researches found that when the nanotubes are compressed they become like zigzag tubes. They are actually getting compressed and the shape is modified under the application of pressure. But immediately after releasing the pressure they are able to regain their original shape exactly as they were before. This recovery from exhaustive fatigue has attracted lot of researches and has become an important property of nanotubes.
Now researchers think that this property can be used to create artificial muscles. Why because the muscles respond by expanding after a stimulus. This is rather a smooth motion than a jerky one unlike with electric motors or pneumatic devices. Thus nanotubes are found to be useful for building artificial muscles. They are like the intricate structures found in the human body.
The invention of nanotubes has been really intriguing as they are the most advanced technology available today.
The same is not applicable with individual nanotubes. The researchers found this fatigue recovery property only with large groups of nanotubes rather than individual nanotubes. They did not understand the reason for this. There seems to some kind of mysterious force that binds them and lets them cooperate under pressure.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
What Kind of Mysterious Bond Exists in Groups of Nanotubes?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Paper made from a Graphite is stronger than Carbon Nanotubes but vulnerable to water
Carbon has interested the researchers the most in the 21st century for its stiffness and strength. After the invention of nanotubes they didn’t stop but developed carbon papers called super papers. This strongest material has only one problem. It is prone to destruction by water.
Researchers have recently developed paper sheets from a form of graphite which is a sister of diamond. They have found that the grapheme oxide particles bind together when immersed in water. This forms a layer like a paper sheet. The strength of this sheet surpasses that of the nanotubes which are currently known to be the strongest.
Unlike carbon nanotubes this can be manufactured to any shape and size. This makes it the most useful for many applications ranging from protective coatings, fuel cells to aircraft fuselages. It was reported that this paper can be formed cheaper than any other stronger material. The quest for stronger and cheaper materials is still ongoing.
But there is one trouble for this invention. The backlash is that this paper is vulnerable to exposition of water. The same water which has bonded the particles together will loosen them and causing their destruction. The next step researchers are taking is obvious. They are looking for finding other materials which can be bonded from any other liquid. Do you have any comments on these developments?
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