Updated September 2011 Nanotechnology in Aerospace

Updated September 2011 Nanotechnology Things Are Heating UP!

Updated September 2011 Carbon nanotubes— a girl’s best friend? The diamond has long been considered the hardest mineral on earth until now! Diamond Enlarged Nanotubes Photo by NREL cc by Gregory Phillips

Updated September 2011 What on earth are carbon nanotubes? Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are carbon structures with special properties that make them useful in a wide range of scientific and everyday applications. cc by Michael Ströck

Updated September 2011 There are four distinct forms of carbon: Fullerene Graphite Diamond Nanotube cc by Gregory Phillips cc by Sauperad cc by Guillaume Paumier cc by Eurico Zimbres

Updated September 2011 Each form of carbon has its own unique properties determined by the arrangement of atoms within it. CNTs exist in three different forms. Even though the differences are very small, they cause each one to have its own unique properties. ZigzagArmchairChiral Images cc by Michael Ströck

Updated September 2011 CNTs are extremely strong. A one-inch thick rope made of CNTs is 100 times stronger than steel and is 1/6 the weight of steel. Can you imagine a building built with ropes instead of steel or an elephant on a platform supported by CNT ropes? cc by Follix

Updated September 2011 The strength and lightness of carbon nanotubes makes them great materials for the aerospace industry. This is an electron microscope image of multiwall carbon nanotubes. cc by Kristian Molhave

Updated September 2011 The new Boeing 787 is the most advanced passenger aircraft in use today. Public domain image by Brandrodungswanderfeldhackbau cc by MilborneOne

Updated September 2011 Its body is made from carbon composites instead of aluminum. Nanotubes are stronger and lighter. Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011 During the testing phase of the aircraft, the wings were stressed as much as they would be in the worst conditions of flight. Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011 The wings were tested to 150% of the stress that was expected during flight. Planes are going to be lighter and stronger because of the tiny nanotubes. Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011 Carbon Nanotube Model In your activity, your group will make a model of a carbon nanotube. cc by Guillaume Paumier Image by HighPoint Learning

Updated September 2011 This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable. The series was funded in part by: The National Science Foundation Grant DUE and the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.

Updated September 2011 Image Credits Aumier, Guillaume (Designer) Carbon Nanotubes.svg [Digital Image]. France. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Brandrodungswanderfuldhackbau (Photographer) 787-flight-check.jpg.[Digital Image]. Germany. Wikimedia Commons (commons. Wikimedia.org) Fokkix (Photographer). Elephants.jpg. [digital Image]. United States. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) MilborneOne (Artists B a.jpg [Digital Image]. United Kingdom. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Molhave, Kristian (Professor. Fe-cat CVD MWCNT SEM overview mats with scalebar.jpg. [Scanning Electron Microscope Image]. United Kingdom. WIkimedi Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011 Image Credits National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Photographer). Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. United States. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Phillips, Gregory (Photographer). CZ_Brilliant.jpg [Digital Image]. Canada. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Saperaud (Designer) Fullerene-C60.png [Digital Image]. Germany. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Strock, Michael (Designer) Types of Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. Austria. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Zimbres, Eurico (Photographer). GrafitaEZ.jpg [Digital Image]. Brazil, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011 References Hale, Justin. Boeing 787: From the Ground Up. Boeing. Retrieved from Teresco, John. Boeing 787: A Matter of Materials -- Special Report: Anatomy of a Supply Chain. Industry Week. Retrieved from _special_report_anatomy_of_a_supply_chain_15339.aspx?Page=1 Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: / Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from