How Razor Blade Combs Create Stronger Carbon Nanotube Films (image)
Caption
When a carbon nanotube (CNT) ribbon is dragged between two surgical blades, the blades function as a "microcomb" that pulls the CNTs into alignment -- just as a regular comb sorts through tangled hair.
When the ribbon of aligned CNTs is being wound onto the spool, the researchers apply an alcohol solution to pull strengthen the bonds between CNTs.
The CNT ribbon wraps around itself as it winds around the spool, creating a layered film of pure CNTs.
Credit
Liwen Zhang, North Carolina State University
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