Scientists have finally gotten a handle on carbon nanotubes. By controlling where those tiny hollow fibers of carbon sprout up on ultrafine shafts of silicon carbide, the researchers have made brushes and brooms loaded with bristles and have demonstrated myriad uses for the minuscule tools.
ITTY-BITTY BROOM. Using a tweezer and microscope, a scientist manipulated this tiny brush on a silicon surface to sweep nanometer-scale debris into a minuscule pile.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.