Multi-application Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials focused on carbon have taken center stage for many reasons. First, it is nontoxic therefore requiring less lab equipment and special handling procedures. Also, carbon is abundant, about number 15 in the composition of the earth’s crust and 4th most abundant in the universe. From a chemical standpoint, with only four electrons in the outer shell, it can easily bond with other carbon atoms and with a multiple number of other atoms easily. Carbon in the form of nanotubes has astounding properties from a physical, electrical, and thermal standpoint—many of which are still not completely understood. Sheets of carbon, graphene, can be fabricated and manipulated supporting multiple applications.