ORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site carbon nanotubes Also known as a buckytubes, cylindrical carbon molecules that belong to the fullerene structural family, which also includes buckyballs. Carbon nanotubes resemble rolled-up sheets of graphite and have extraordinary strenth (weight for weight, more than 100 times stronger than steel), unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat. These characteristics make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications, including nano-electronics, optics, and materials applications. A nanotube cylinder typically has at least one end capped with a hemisphere of the buckyball structure. It has a diameter on the order of a few nanometers (approximately 50,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair) and a length of up to several centimeters. There are two main types of nanotubes: single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs). Related category    • ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP