Layers of these tiny springs called coiled carbon nanotubes,
each a thousand times smaller than a human hair, act as extremely
resilient shock absorbers
NRI Professor
invented tiny, shock-absorbing carbon springs
to protect Electronic devices such as cell phones from damage,
hitting the floor
New York, Aug 14, 2008
Surinder Singh
NRI Apparao Rao, physicist, Professor at Clemson University focuses
its research primarily on the synthesis and characterization of
carbon nanotubes. He is dedicated to understanding the properties
and applications of single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes.
Dr. Rao has devised tiny, shock-absorbing carbon nano springs
to protect delicate electronic devices like mobile phones from
damage, hitting the floor. Wouldn't it be great if they bounced
instead of cracked when dropped?
According to Bio-Medicine media group, a team of Clemson University
researchers, led by apparao Rao, professor of physics, has invented
a way to make beds of tiny, shock-absorbing carbon springs which
possibly could be used to protect delicate objects from damaging
impacts. With collaborators at the University of California at
San Diego, the team has shown that layers of these tiny springs
called coiled carbon nanotubes, each a thousand times smaller
than a human hair, can act as extremely resilient shock absorbers.
Similar coiled carbon nanotubes have been made before, yet Clemson
researchers say this method is unique since beds of coiled carbon
nanotubes can be grown in a single step using a proprietary hydrocarbon-catalyst
mixture.
The group also envisions coiled nanotubes in soldiers' body armor,
car bumpers and bushings and even as cushioning elements in shoe
soles.
"The problem we have faced in the past is producing enough
of these coiled carbon nanotubes at a reasonable cost to make
a difference," said Rao. "Because our current method
produces coiled nanotubes quickly in high yield, it can be readily
scaled up to industrial levels. After formation, the coiled nanotubes
can be peeled off in one piece and placed on other surfaces to
form instant cushioning coatings."
In earlier studies, Rao and his team, along with UCSD collaborators,
tested more conventional straight carbon nanotubes against coil-shaped
nanotubes. When a stainless steel ball was dropped onto a single
nanotube layer, the coiled nanotubes completely recovered from
the impact, while the straight ones did not.
Rao said, "If you move your hand backward as experienced
in catching a egg and increase the time of contact over which
the impact occurs, the impact will be less forceful and the egg
will not break. It is the same phenomenon experienced in catching
a baseball."
