This document discusses carbon nanotubes, which are cylindrical shells of graphitic carbon that were discovered in 1991. It has three main sections: the first provides a definition and potential applications of carbon nanotubes, the second discusses the history of discoveries related to carbon nanotubes, and the third outlines current and potential future technological uses, including for space exploration, electronics, and energy storage.

1. NANOTUBES

2. “Seamless cylindrical shells of graphitic
carbon which have novel mechanical and
electronic properties that suggest new high
strength fibers, submicroscopic test tubes,
and perhaps, new semiconductor
materials”…..Thomas W. Ebbesen

3. History
 The discovery of multi-wall
carbon nanotubes was in 1991.
 Hydrogen storage in
nanotubes in 1997
 The single-wall
nanotubes were
discovered in 1993
 Synthesis of nanotube
peapods in 1998

4. Technology
 The JSC Carbon Nanotube Project is focused on
developing bulk nanotube production, purification and
application of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT's).
 The goal for their project is to develop nanotube
applications for use in human space exploration.
 Carbon Nanotubes will be useful for miniaturized
electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, chemical
and for scanning probe nano-devices, and materials for
microscopic composites.

5.  Carbon Nanotubes can be metallic or
semiconducting and offers amazing
possibilities to create future
nanoelectronic devices, circuits, and
computers.

6.  Carbon Nanotubes can be metallic or
semiconducting and offers amazing
possibilities to create future
nanoelectronic devices, circuits, and
computers.