Updated September 2011

Nanotechnologyin Aerospace

Updated September 2011

NanotechnologyThings Are Heating UP!

Updated September 2011

Carbon nanotubes—a girl’s best friend?

The diamond has long been

considered the hardest mineral

on earth until now!

DiamondEnlargedNanotubes

Photo by NRELcc by Gregory Phillips

Updated September 2011

What on earth are carbon nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are carbon structures with special properties that make them useful in a wide range of scientific and everyday applications.

cc by Michael Ströck

Updated September 2011

There are four distinct forms of carbon:

Fullerene

GraphiteDiamond

Nanotube

cc by Gregory Phillips

cc by Sauperad

cc by Guillaume Paumier

cc by Eurico Zimbres

Updated September 2011

Each form of carbon has its own unique properties determined by the arrangement of atoms within it.CNTs exist in three different forms. Even though the differences are very small, they cause each one to have its own unique properties.

Zigzag Armchair Chiral Images cc by Michael Ströck

Updated September 2011

CNTs are extremely strong. A one-inch thick rope made of CNTs is 100 times stronger than steel and is 1/6 the weight of steel. Can you imagine a building built with ropes instead of steel or an elephant on a platform supported by CNT ropes?

cc by Follix

Updated September 2011

The strength and lightness of carbon nanotubes makes them great materials for the aerospace industry.

This is an electron microscope image of multiwall carbon nanotubes.

cc by Kristian Molhave

Updated September 2011

The new Boeing 787 is the most advanced passenger aircraft in use today. Public domain image by

Brandrodungswanderfeldhackbau

cc by MilborneOne

Updated September 2011

Its body is made from carbon composites instead of aluminum.

Nanotubes are stronger and lighter.

Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011

During the testing phase of the aircraft,

the wings were stressed

as much as they would be

in the worst conditions of

flight.

Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011

The wings were tested to 150% of the stress

that was expected

during flight. Planes are going to be lighter and

stronger because of

the tiny nanotubes.

Image ©Boeing

Updated September 2011

Carbon Nanotube Model

In your activity, your

group will make a

model of a carbon

nanotube.

cc by Guillaume Paumier

Image by HighPoint Learning

Updated September 2011

This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

 The series was funded in part by:

 The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative 

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative. 

Updated September 2011

Image Credits Aumier, Guillaume (Designer) Carbon Nanotubes.svg [Digital Image]. France. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Brandrodungswanderfuldhackbau (Photographer) 787-flight-check.jpg.[Digital Image]. Germany. Wikimedia Commons (commons. Wikimedia.org)

Fokkix (Photographer). Elephants.jpg. [digital Image]. United States. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

MilborneOne (Artists B787-2155a.jpg [Digital Image]. United Kingdom. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Molhave, Kristian (Professor. Fe-cat CVD MWCNT SEM overview mats with scalebar.jpg. [Scanning Electron Microscope Image]. United Kingdom. WIkimedi Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011

Image Credits National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Photographer). Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. United States. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Phillips, Gregory (Photographer). CZ_Brilliant.jpg [Digital Image]. Canada. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Phillips, Gregory (Photographer). CZ_Brilliant.jpg [Digital Image]. Canada. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Saperaud (Designer) Fullerene-C60.png [Digital Image]. Germany. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Strock, Michael (Designer) Types of Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image]. Austria. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Zimbres, Eurico (Photographer). GrafitaEZ.jpg [Digital Image]. Brazil, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Updated September 2011

References

Hale, Justin. Boeing 787: From the Ground Up. Boeing. Retrieved from http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/qtr_4_06/article_04_1.html

Teresco, John. Boeing 787: A Matter of Materials -- Special Report: Anatomy of a Supply Chain. Industry Week. Retrieved from http://www.industryweek.com/articles/boeing_787_a_matter_of_materials_--

_special_report_anatomy_of_a_supply_chain_15339.aspx?Page=1

Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233 Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic

Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com