Nanobiotechnology: Carbon nanofibers Presented by Vijay Viswanathan Prasanna Venkatesh

Outline Introduction Carbon Nanotubes Types Carbon Nano Fibers Equilibrium State Applications Bio – Technology Applications Conclusion

Introduction Carbon Nanotubes Discovered in 1991 by S. Iijima. Long thin cylinders of carbon. Sheets of graphite rolled into a cylinder. Property depends on diameter, length & chirality.

Types Single walled Nano Tubes Sheet of carbon atoms rolled into cylinder. Each carbon has three bonds to nearest neighbors Diameter just 1 or 2 nm. Properties still debated.

Multi walled Nano Tubes Concentric tubes of SWNT. Diameter : 15 ~ 40 nm Extremely elastic. Young’s modulus – 1 Terapascal 5 times elastic than steel.

Carbon NanoFibers Carbon nanofibers are woven from carbon nanotubes Rolled up sheets of carbon atoms.

Equilibrium state A balance state of an object, so that it remains firm; equipoise; as to preserve the equilibrium of the body For a CNF to be in equilibrium Arm chair (  =0) Zigzag (  =30) Chiral (  <30) Carbon Bond length in equilibrium is 1.42 Å

Applications Catalyst support in nanoelectronic devices Artificial muscles Energy storage devices Microelectronics Rubbers and Tires Stabilisation against UV Radiation Electrodes in Rechargeable Batteries BioTechnology

BioTechnology Applications Orthopedic and Neural Implants Chips using DNA Templates Neurotrophic electrode Rat-ical innovation for remote rescue

Cont.. Artificial eye Soul Catcher 2025 Cyber cat

Orthopedic and Neural Implants Nano fibers are compatible with human tissues. Can create better bone & neural implants. Compatibility arises from similarity in body tissue and Nano structure. Nano materials duplicate cell architecture. Orthopedic Nano implants – Commercially available in 5 – 10 years.

Cont… Establish better electrical connection with the brain than silicon. Reduces scar tissue formation compared to silicon electrodes. Neural Nano Implants – Commercially available in 1 – 2 decades.

Chips using DNA Templates Nanofibers are connected to proteins A segment of DNA is replaced using the concept of RECOMBINATION DNA is coated with gold on both ends passing electricity through it simulating a transistor

Neurotrophic electrode Carbon Nanofiber in form of a cone Tissues from body are embedded on the electrode and implanted in the brain allowing the neurons to get attached to the brain cells. A transmitted signal picked up by receiver on the computer translates into cursor movements commands on the computer

Robo-rats Rat steered by a computer can find buried earthquake victims (or) dispose off bombs Carbon nanofibers electrodes are implanted to the rats brain Movements signal transmitted from a computer to rat’s brain.

Cont….

Artificial eye An carbon nanofiber Electrode is in the retina of a blind person The Electrode fires electrical signals directly onto the optic nerves and brain The image is obtained in the video camera screwed to the eye glasses As the number of electrodes increases the picture becomes sharper. Cost $25,000 Commercially available in 5 – 10 years.

Cont….

Soul Catcher 2025 Currently developing a new microchip that will be ready for use by the year 2025 The microchip’s future-tech design will mean that, when implanted in the skull just behind the eye, it will be able to record a person’s every thought, experience and sensation Downloading a lifetimes experiences from an older person’s brain and transplanting them into a new-born babies

Cyber cat Computer wired to the nanofiber Electrode implanted cat’s brain. Recording the electrical activities in the nerve cell in thalamus, researchers were able to record images. Possible to record what a person sees and play it back on a later date.

Conclusion Nanotechnology is the greatest technological break through in the history of man Nanotechnology will be the foundation of technology-based firms in ten to fifteen years time “This technology [nanotechnology] is every bit as explosive as nuclear weapons.” -Brad Sherman, U.S. House of Representative (Democrat - California). We have got to be thoughtful of the after effects of nano technological researches and move forward in that direction

References http://ipn2.epfl.ch/CHBU/NTapplications9.htm http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Groups/SciTech/nano/images/images.html http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~crmartin/index.html http://www.techmonitor.net/techmon/03nov_dec/bio/bio_invent.htm http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2003/121703/Body_handles_nanofiber_better_121703.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/193946.stm http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/05/0501_020501_roborats.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/468857.stm http://website.lineone.net/~oly/BT.html http://www.2-sight.com/

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