Updated September 2011 Nanotechnology in Electronics

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 Carbon nanotubes are different from other natural materials. The CNT’s incredibly small size and distinct properties allow it to do things other materials cannot do. These special properties include increased electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and tensile strength. Electrical and thermal conductivity Tensile strength Image by NASA Image cc by CDang

Updated September 2011 CNTs conduct electricity extremely well. However, other materials such as copper nanowires have tens of thousands of electrons traveling through the center of the wire together. Imagine what would happen if a large group of people tried to go through a narrow doorway at the same time.

Updated September 2011 In the same way, electrons rush together and bump into stationary atoms. Because of this, the electrons move forward, sideways and even backward. This is called scattering. This process generates a lot of heat and wastes energy. In carbon nanotubes there is not as much scattering because the carbon tubes are hollow. This prevents electron “clumping,” so CNTs do not lose as much heat and do not waste as much energy.

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 special properties of these tiny structures make CNTs useful for several current and future applications in the electronics field. Photo by Mike 1024

Updated September 2011 Flat panel display screens: CNTs are being used to make thinner, lighter display screens. An electrified nanotube will shoot electrons from its end like a small cannon. When these are allowed to bombard a phosphor screen, an image is created. Image courtesy of Universal Display Corporation

Updated September 2011 Transistors are devices that can act like an on/off switch or an amplifier for currents and are in nearly every piece of electronic equipment used today. The properties of CNTs can produce molecular electronic devices, transistors being the most significant. cc by Rolf Süssbrich

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 Phillips, Gregory (Photographer), CZ_Brilliant.jpg [Digital Image], Canada, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Photographer), Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image], United States, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Ströck, Michael (Designer) Types of Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image], Austria, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Saperaud (Designer) Fullerene-C60.png [Digital Image], Germany, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Paumier, Guillaume (Designer) Carbon Nanotube.svg [Digital Image], France, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Zimbres, Eurico (Photographer), GrafitaEZ.jpg [Digital Image], Brazil, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Cdang. (Photographer). Gunt WP300 tensile testing machine, for educational purpose. [Digital Image]. France. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011 Image Credits Mike1024. (Photographer). 28 pin MLP integrated circuit [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Jordan, Chuck (Photographer). Apple TV and Sony flatscreen TV on display at Macworld San Francisco [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org) Süssbrich, Rolf (Photographer). Small Transistor Metal 1.jpg. [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011 References Weichman, Joe. Science Happens (2009). [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from 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