ABSTRACT
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes a decade ago,1 many important studies and results related to these nanostructural materials in different scientific and engineering fields have emerged. The extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the nanotubes are governed by their atomic architecture, commonly called their chiral arrangement. Ideally all carbon atoms in the nanotubes are covalently bonded and form repeated close-packed hexagonal structures in each layer or shell. Due to these chemically formed atomic arrangements, the carbon nanotubes possess superior mechanical properties, and the nanotubes are stronger than any known metallic materials. Many critical results have been reported recently by using nanotubes as atomic force microscope (AFM) probes, conductive devices in artificial muscles, and nanothermometers, and to store hydrogen for fuel cells.2-5 In the United States, the investment in the development of fuel cells by storing hydrogen atoms inside the cavities of nanotubes to supply electricity to microelectromechanical (MEM) or even nanoelectromechanical (NEM) devices has been increasing. Although all this work is still at the research stage, it demonstrates a high potential for the development of nanotuberelated products and components for real-world applications.
