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 as shown in the photo below 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.
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.
Researchers are developing materials, such as a carbon nanotube based composite developed by NASA that bends with when a voltage is applied, that will need only an electrical voltage to change the shape (morphing) of aircraft wings and other structures. This video from NASA gives you an idea of what a future morphing aircraft might look like.
Longer lasting concrete, researchers have found that carbon nanotubes can fill the voids that occur in conventionial concrete. Because it's these voids that allow water to penetrate into concrete, resulting in the formation of cracks; including nanotubes in the mix stops the cracks from forming.
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.
Using carbon nanotubes as the pores in reverse osmosis membranes. This can decrease the power needed to run reverse osmosis desalination plants because water molecules pass through carbon nanotubes more easily than through other types of nanopores. This is because the inside walls of the nanotubes are much smoother than the walls of other types of nanopores.
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.
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.
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