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Buckyballs Polymerized Into Buckywires

Posted by kdawson on from the buck-for-your-thoughts dept.

KentuckyFC writes "Scientists have found a way to join buckyballs together so that they form buckywires. The wires form when buckyballs are dissolved in an aromatic hydrocarbon called 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The solvent links the balls together to make wires shaped like a string of pearls, which then precipitate out. This relatively simple procedure opens the door to industrial-scale manufacture. Buckywires ought to be efficient light harvesters because of their great surface area and the way they can conduct photon-liberated electrons. But perhaps the area of greatest interest is drug delivery. The researchers suggest that buckywires ought to be safer than carbon nanotubes because the production method is entirely metal-free. This contrasts with the production of nanotubes, which are formed in a reaction catalyzed by metallic nanoparticles."

6 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Great by kenp2002 · · Score: 3, Funny

    So can I get some cheap fishing line that doesn't break now?

    --
    -=[ Who Is John Galt? ]=-
    1. Re:Great by Eudial · · Score: 3, Funny

      So can I get some cheap fishing line that doesn't break now?

      It'll still tangle into a bucky-knot the moment it leaves your eyesight.

      --
      GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
    2. Re:Great by Red+Flayer · · Score: 2, Funny

      So can I get some cheap fishing line that doesn't break now?

      Yes. Yes you can.

      2 cm diameter nylon rope will rarely break under normal fishing use.

      What... you wanted to be able to *catch* something with it?

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  2. Bucky Balls create Pearl Necklace by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Bucky Balls create Pearl Necklace"

    Who would have guessed?

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    1. Re:Bucky Balls create Pearl Necklace by Amazing+Quantum+Man · · Score: 2, Funny

      Was ZZ Top involved in this research?

      --
      Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
  3. Re:balls, my ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    AHHHH, you said "a$$" and d@mn! Bad word!!!! Bad word!!!! Bad word!!!! Where's the word filter here?!? I though this was supposed to be a family-friendly site?!?!? You should be ashamed, mother fucker