1. Nanobiotechnology: Carbon nanofibers Presented by Vijay Viswanathan Prasanna Venkatesh

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. Cont..
Artificial eye
Soul Catcher 2025
Cyber cat

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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.

17. Cont….

18. 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.

19. Cont….

20. 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

21. 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.

23. 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

24. References http://ipn2.epfl.ch/CHBU/NTapplications9.htm

25. Questions
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comments