Researchers at NIST have developed a method using tailored DNA strands to selectively purify “armchair” carbon nanotubes, which are crucial for creating efficient quantum wires. These nanotubes, which are essentially rolled-up sheets of carbon atoms, could revolutionize electricity transmission by conducting electricity 10 times better than copper with much less energy loss.
The process involves using DNA strands that have a specific affinity for the desired type of nanotube. By methodically evolving the DNA patterns, researchers were able to create strands that selectively wrap around and recognize the metallic armchair nanotubes. This allows for efficient separation and purification of these nanotubes using standard chemistry techniques.
The next step is to use these pure nanotube samples to further understand their unique properties and potentially enable mass production of these ideal quantum wires for various applications.
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, DNA, nanotube properties, armchair nanotubes, chirality
