Writing with NanotubesCategory: Science & Technology Posted:
October 9, 2012 11:25AM Graphite is one of the most well-known
forms of carbon because of its use in pencils, but it is no
longer the only carbon-based pencil lead. Researchers at MIT
have created carbon-nanotube pencil lead for creating devices,
such as gas sensors. As this method of placing nanotubes on a
device is free of solvents, it is both safer and cheaper than
some other methods. Typically carbon nanotubes are added to a
device while in a solution with a potentially hazardous solvent.
Inspired by graphite pencil lead, the researchers compressed a
powder of nanotubes into the shape of pencil lead for a
mechanical pencil. With a mechanical pencil, they then started
drawing connections on pieces of paper with gold electrodes, and
found the lines they drew worked. Even when the lines were
irregularly shaped, the nanotubes' ability to detect gases was
not compromised. The researchers are now testing to see if they
can expand this method's selecti