Carbon nano-tubes are tubed shaped molecules made up of carbon atoms. They are millions of times thinner than a human hair, superconductive, and hollow. Due to these properties, they react very strongly when they come into contact with another molecule. For this reason, they could have excellent applications detecting harmful substances, but are limited by the potentially hazardous methods of producing them.
Katherine Mirica, a chemistry post-doc, and a group of scientists have found a way to create a simple, safe sensor. By compressing the powdered molecules into a pencil lead form, it can be used in any mechanical pencil. The sensor is made by drawing on a piece of standard paper with gold electrodes to measure the electric current running through the nano-tubes. This can detect ammonia (a hazardous gas that is found in many industrial workplaces) at part per million concentrations and can be adapted for many other types of gases.
I find this process interesting, because it is a very easy way for people to detect hazardous fumes in the workplace, and maybe even improve security. It requires little effort on the part of the worker, and is adaptable to many situations. It's fascinating to think that something as simple as scribbling on a paper could save so many lives. If it can check my luggage for dangerous substances, I would much prefer that to waiting in line for hours at the airport.
http://video.mit.edu/watch/
Submitted by Megan Cleary
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