Nanobiotechnology: Carbon
nanofibers
Presented by
Vijay Viswanathan
Prasanna Venkatesh
Outline
Introduction
 Carbon Nanotubes Types
 Carbon Nano Fibers
 Equilibrium State
 Applications
 Bio – Technology Applications
 Conclusion
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Introduction
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Carbon Nanotubes
 Discovered in 1991 by S. Iijima.
 Long thin cylinders of carbon.
 Sheets of graphite rolled into a cylinder.
 Property depends on diameter, length &
chirality.
Types
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Single walled Nano
Tubes
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Sheet of carbon atoms
rolled into cylinder.
Each carbon has three
bonds to nearest
neighbors
Diameter just 1 or 2
nm.
Properties still
debated.
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Multi walled Nano Tubes
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Concentric tubes of SWNT.
Diameter : 15 ~ 40 nm
Extremely elastic.
Young’s modulus – 1
Terapascal
5 times elastic than steel.
Carbon NanoFibers
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Carbon nanofibers
are woven from
carbon nanotubes
Rolled up sheets of
carbon atoms.
Equilibrium state

A balance state of an object, so that
it remains firm; equipoise; as to
preserve the equilibrium of the body
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For a CNF to be in equilibrium
 Arm chair (  =0)
 Zigzag (  =30)
 Chiral (  <30)
Carbon Bond length in equilibrium is
1.42 Å
Applications
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Catalyst support in nanoelectronic devices
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Artificial muscles
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Energy storage devices
Microelectronics
Rubbers and Tires
Stabilisation against UV Radiation
Electrodes in Rechargeable Batteries
BioTechnology
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BioTechnology Applications
Orthopedic and Neural Implants
 Chips using DNA Templates
 Neurotrophic electrode
 Rat-ical innovation for remote rescue
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Cont..
Artificial eye
 Soul Catcher 2025
 Cyber cat
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Orthopedic and Neural Implants
Nano fibers are compatible with human
tissues.
 Can create better bone & neural implants.
 Compatibility arises from similarity in body
tissue and Nano structure.
 Nano materials duplicate cell architecture.
 Orthopedic Nano implants – Commercially
available in 5 – 10 years.

Cont…
Establish better electrical connection with
the brain than silicon.
 Reduces scar tissue formation compared
to silicon electrodes.
 Neural Nano Implants – Commercially
available in 1 – 2 decades.
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Chips using DNA Templates
Nanofibers are connected to proteins
 A segment of DNA is replaced using the
concept of RECOMBINATION
 DNA is coated with gold on both ends
passing electricity through it simulating a
transistor
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Neurotrophic electrode
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Carbon Nanofiber in form of a cone
Tissues from body are embedded on the
electrode and implanted in the brain allowing the
neurons to get attached to the brain cells.
A transmitted signal picked up by receiver on the
computer translates into cursor movements
commands on the computer
Robo-rats
Rat steered by a computer can find buried
earthquake victims (or) dispose off bombs
 Carbon nanofibers electrodes are
implanted to the rats brain
 Movements signal transmitted from a
computer to rat’s brain.

Cont….
Artificial eye
 An carbon nanofiber Electrode is in the retina of a blind
person
 The Electrode fires electrical signals directly onto the
optic nerves and brain
 The image is obtained in the video camera screwed to
the eye glasses
 As the number of electrodes increases the picture
becomes sharper.
 Cost $25,000
 Commercially available in 5 – 10 years.
Cont….
Soul Catcher 2025
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Currently developing a new microchip that will
be ready for use by the year 2025
The microchip’s future-tech design will mean
that, when implanted in the skull just behind the
eye, it will be able to record a person’s every
thought, experience and sensation
Downloading a lifetimes experiences from an
older person’s brain and transplanting them into
a new-born babies
Cyber cat
Computer wired to the nanofiber Electrode
implanted cat’s brain.
 Recording the electrical activities in the
nerve cell in thalamus, researchers were
able to record images.
 Possible to record what a person sees and
play it back on a later date.
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Conclusion
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Nanotechnology is the greatest technological break
through in the history of man
Nanotechnology will be the foundation of technologybased firms in ten to fifteen years time
“This technology [nanotechnology] is every bit as
explosive as nuclear weapons.” -Brad Sherman, U.S.
House of Representative (Democrat - California).
We have got to be thoughtful of the after effects of nano
technological researches and move forward in that
direction
References
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http://ipn2.epfl.ch/CHBU/NTapplications9.htm
http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Groups/SciTech/nano/images/images.html
http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~crmartin/index.html
http://www.techmonitor.net/techmon/03nov_dec/bio/bio_invent.htm
http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2003/121703/Body_handles_nanofib
er_better_121703.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/193946.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/193946.stm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/05/0501_020501_ro
borats.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/468857.stm
http://website.lineone.net/~oly/BT.html
http://www.2-sight.com/
Questions
and/or
comments