To seed the growth of highly uniform carbon nanotubes (gray), researchers use tungsten-cobalt alloy nanocrystals (yellow and orange), as shown in these side- and top-view illustrations.
Credit: Nanomaterials & Nanostructures Group/Peking
Because of their strength, flexibility, and conductivity, carbon nanotubes might one day feature prominently in devices such as solar cells and miniaturized electronic circuits. Standard methods used to grow the tiny cylinders, however, typically produce a mixture of tubes with varying carbon-atom geometries and electrical properties, making their incorporation into gadgets problematic.
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