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Can Carbon Nanotubes Deliver on Their Promise in Biology? Harnessing Unique Properties for Unparalleled Applications.

ABSTRACT: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical sheets of hexagonally ordered carbon atoms, giving tubes with diameters on the order of a few nanometers and lengths typically in the micrometer range. They may be single- or multiwalled (SWCNTs and MWCNTs respectively). Since the seminal report of their synthesis in 1991, CNTs have fascinated scientists of all stripes. Physicists have been intrigued by their electrical, thermal, and vibrational potential. Materials scientists have worked on integrating them into ultrastrong composites and electronic devices, while chemists have been fascinated by the effects of curvature on reactivity and have developed new synthesis and purification techniques. However, to date no large-scale, real-life biotechnological CNT breakthrough has been industrially adopted and it is proving difficult to justify taking these materials forward into the clinic. We believe that these challenges are not the end of the story, but that a viable carbon nanotube biotechnology is one in which the unique properties of nanotubes bring about an effect that would be otherwise impossible. In this Outlook, we therefore seek to reframe the field by highlighting those biological applications in which the singular properties of CNTs provide some entirely new activity or biological effect as a pointer to "what could be".

SUBMITTER: Serpell CJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4850505 | biostudies-other | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Can Carbon Nanotubes Deliver on Their Promise in Biology? Harnessing Unique Properties for Unparalleled Applications.

Serpell Christopher J CJ Kostarelos Kostas K Davis Benjamin G BG

ACS central science 20160406 4

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical sheets of hexagonally ordered carbon atoms, giving tubes with diameters on the order of a few nanometers and lengths typically in the micrometer range. They may be single- or multiwalled (SWCNTs and MWCNTs respectively). Since the seminal report of their synthesis in 1991, CNTs have fascinated scientists of all stripes. Physicists have been intrigued by their electrical, thermal, and vibrational potential. Materials scientists have worked on integrating th ...[more]

PMID: 27163049

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Project description:Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) devices and electronics are achieving maturity and directly competing or surpassing devices that use conventional materials. CNTs have demonstrated ballistic conduction, minimal scaling effects, high current capacity, low power requirements, and excellent optical/photonic properties; making them the ideal candidate for a new material to replace conventional materials in next?generation electronic and photonic systems. CNTs also demonstrate high stability and flexibility, allowing them to be used in flexible, printable, and/or biocompatible electronics. However, a major challenge to fully commercialize these devices is the scalable placement of CNTs into desired micro/nanopatterns and architectures to translate the superior properties of CNTs into macroscale devices. Precise and high throughput patterning becomes increasingly difficult at nanoscale resolution, but it is essential to fully realize the benefits of CNTs. The relatively long, high aspect ratio structures of CNTs must be preserved to maintain their functionalities, consequently making them more difficult to pattern than conventional materials like metals and polymers. This review comprehensively explores the recent development of innovative CNT patterning techniques with nanoscale lateral resolution. Each technique is critically analyzed and applications for the nanoscale?resolution approaches are demonstrated. Promising techniques and the challenges ahead for future devices and applications are discussed. Carbon nanotube (CNT) devices are achieving maturity and directly competing with devices using conventional materials. However, a major challenge to fully commercialize is the scalable placement of CNTs into nanoscale patterns/architectures into macroscale devices. This review comprehensively explores the recent development of nanoscale resolution CNT patterning techniques. Each technique is critically analyzed, applications are demonstrated, and challenges/opportunities are discussed.

Dataset Information

Can Carbon Nanotubes Deliver on Their Promise in Biology? Harnessing Unique Properties for Unparalleled Applications.

Publications

Can Carbon Nanotubes Deliver on Their Promise in Biology? Harnessing Unique Properties for Unparalleled Applications.

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