Semiconducting nanotubes produced by bacteria

[docm]

http://www.physorg.com/news116259447.html<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><b>Nanotube-producing bacteria show manufacturing promise<br /><br /><i>Two engineers at the University of California, Riverside are part of a binational team that has found semiconducting nanotubes produced by living bacteria – a discovery that could help in the creation of a new generation of nanoelectronic devices.</i></b><br /><br /> The research team believes this is the first time nanotubes have been shown to be produced by biological rather than chemical means. It opens the door to the possibility of cheaper and more environmentally friendly manufacture of electronic materials.<br /><br />Study results appear in today's issue of the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.<br /><br />The team, including Nosang V. Myung, associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering in the Bourns College of Engineering, and his postdoctoral researcher Bongyoung Yoo, found the bacterium Shewanella facilitates the formation of arsenic-sulfide nanotubes that have unique physical and chemical properties not produced by chemical agents.<br /><br />“We have shown that a jar with a bug in it can create potentially useful nanostructures,†Myung said. “Nanotubes are of particular interest in materials science because the useful properties of a substance can be finely tuned according to the diameter and the thickness of the tubes.â€<br /><br />The whole realm of electronic devices which power our world, from computers to solar cells, today depend on chemical manufacturing processes which use tremendous energy, and leave behind toxic metals and chemicals. Myung said a growing movement in science and engineering is looking for ways to produce semiconductors in more ecologically friendly ways. <br /><br /> Two members of the research team, Hor Gil Hur and Ji-Hoon Lee from Gw</p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MannyPim]

Thanks for the post docm,<br /><br />I have actually spoken to a couple of CNT epxerts about the possibility of using living organisms to build the CNTs...<br /><br />This is the FIRST time I have seen anything on it.<br />This looks very promising ! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>The only way to know what is possible is to attempt the impossible.</em></font> </div>

 

[thebigcat]

Yeah. Great find and thanks for the post, <b>docm</b>. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[themage]

Excellent article!