CNT-bases nanomechanics

Abstract

With the continual push to shrink computer circuit density, scientists nowadays are delving into the possibility of nano-sized electronic circuits. [1] Carbon nanotubes are destined to play an integral part in nanodevices due to their resistance to wear [2] and low frictional resistance [2], among other properties. During ongoing research on carbon nanotubes, it was discovered that the (4,4)/(9,9) nanobearing exhibited alternating angular dissipation and rotational plateaus when the rotating outer tube is much shorter than the fixed inner tube. This is contrary to what is expected for a nanobearing made up of atomically-perfect carbon nanotubes, especially when the inter-wall friction has been reported to be very low. [2] [3] [4] [5] To determine if the dissipation behaviour exhibited by the (4,4)/(9,9) nanobearing is common to others, several others with approximately the same inner and outer tube lengths were simulated. At the request of the professor in charge of this project, a perl script to measure the frictional force was also written. In addition, four more perl scripts were written to examine the structural change in the nanobearing during energy dissipation.