Clemson scientists put a (nano) spring in their step

15-Aug-2008

Electronic devices get smaller and more complex every year. It turns out that fragility is the price for miniaturization, especially when it comes to small devices, such as cell phones, hitting the floor. Wouldn't it be great if they bounced instead of cracked when dropped?

A team of Clemson University researchers, led by Apparao Rao, professor of physics, has invented a way to make beds of tiny, shock-absorbing carbon springs which possibly could be used to protect delicate objects from damaging impacts. With collaborators at the University of California at San Diego, the team has shown that layers of these tiny springs called coiled carbon nanotubes can act as extremely resilient shock absorbers.

Similar coiled carbon nanotubes have been made before, yet Clemson researchers say this method is unique since beds of coiled carbon nanotubes can be grown in a single step using a proprietary hydrocarbon-catalyst mixture.

"The problem we have faced in the past is producing enough of these coiled carbon nanotubes at a reasonable cost to make a difference," said Rao. "Because our current method produces coiled nanotubes quickly in high yield, it can be readily scaled up to industrial levels. After formation, the coiled nanotubes can be peeled off in one piece and placed on other surfaces to form instant cushioning coatings."

Original publications: Advanced Materials 2008, 20, 179-182.

Other news from the department science

These products might interest you

Dursan

Dursan by SilcoTek

Innovative coating revolutionizes LC analysis

Stainless steel components with the performance of PEEK - inert, robust and cost-effective

HPLC accessories
OCA 200

OCA 200 by DataPhysics

Using contact angle meter to comprehensively characterise wetting behaviour, solids, and liquids

With its intuitive software and as a modular system, the OCA 200 answers to all customers’ needs

contact angle measuring instruments
Tailor-made products for specific applications

Tailor-made products for specific applications by IPC Process Center

Granulates and pellets - we develop and manufacture the perfect solution for you

Agglomeration of powders, pelletising of powders and fluids, coating with melts and polymers

toll manufacturing
Loading...

Most read news

More news from our other portals

So close that even
molecules turn red...