Carbon
Nanotubes & Development of Pleural Mesothelioma - Single-Walled
Carbon Nanotubes versus Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Products
& Applications, Chemical Properties & Diagrams
(December 29th, 2010)
 Carbon
nanotubes are tiny carbon molecules that have a nanostructure and
a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 10 million and as high as
40 million. These carbon molecules are widely used in nanotechnology
science projects, optics, electronics and in the field of materials
science. They are so popular because of their resistance to heat
and heat conductor properties, extreme strengths, super light weight
and their applications in electricity. As the use of carbon nanotubes
grows, scientists are trying to study their uses and conduct tests
on them. Scientists think that current uses of Carbon nanotubes
can lead to the development of Pleural mesothelioma, which is a
Cancer of the pleura or linings of the lungs. Scientists ask the
public not to be too concerned about the effects of Carbon nanotubes
as yet, however, they think the increasing popularity of the substance
definitely warrants further research in to possible asbestos exposure
occuring naturally from the environment thanks to carbon nanotubes.
The groups of people who are at most risk for exposure to Asbestos
from Carbon nanotubes are lab researchers, manufacturers, vendors
and other people who work directly with this substance. The image
on the left is of methane molecules travelling through a Carbon
nanotube. The molecules look like billiard balls because carbon
nanotubes have slippery walls with luminal surfaces, so gas and
water molecules bounce off these slippery walls and form the image
of billiard balls. The image below on the right is the structures
of single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) that look like seamless
cylinders with hexagonal graphite layers. Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes
(SWNTs) may nest within each other to form multi-walled carbon nanotubes
(MWNTs), that look like Russian dolls. This application is shown
on the image below in Part (c). Carbon nanotubes have excellent
electronic, mechanical, and optical properties that has made them
very popular for scientists in their research projects. Carbon nanotubes
are therefore very popular in chemical products such as biosensors,
hydrogen fuel cells, flat-panel displays, field effect transistors
and other molecular channels.
 What
Kinds of Products Contain Carbon Nanotubes?
Because they are extremely durable, very strong & lightweight,
and due to their resistance to heat, carbon nanotubes are used in
a vast variety of products, including sports equipment, medical
apparatus, household goods and automobile parts.
i) Sports Equipment
Sports equipment such as tennis rackets and golf clubs contain
Carbon nanotubes. Bicycle parts such as chains and pedals may also
contain carbon nanotubes. Because carbon nanotubes are super lightweight,
and are almost shock-and-impact resistant, they make for important
add-ons for sports equipment.
ii) Medical Apparatus
Scientists are currently researching the use of Carbon nanotubes
for use in medical parts & components. Such an example is Fluorescent
nanotubes that will be used in certain anti-Cancer treatments.
iii) Household Goods
Carbon nanotubes are used in thousands of different household goods,
including plastic cookware, light bulbs, computer parts, refrigerator
magnets, other forms of Plastic and CD Roms.
iv) Automobile Parts
Examples of automobile parts that contain Carbon nanotubes include
fuel lines, front & rear bumpers, tubes, among other plastic
parts. In the future, car manufacturers also see the use of Carbon
nanotubes in the interiors of cars, including car seats and headrests.
|
