University of California at Berkeley accounced that they have constructed a fully functional, fully integrated radio receiver, orders-of-magnitude smaller than any previous radio, from a single carbon nanotube (that's about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair).
The single nanotube serves, at once, as all major components of a radio: antenna, tuner, amplifier, and demodulator. Moreover, the antenna and tuner are implemented in a radically different manner than traditional radios, receiving signals via high frequency mechanical vibrations of the nanotube rather than through traditional electrical means.
The scientists involved were able to play DJ to consecrate the moment of the first nano-transmission. Their tune of choice? Eric Clapton's Layla and the Beach Boy's Good Vibrations. The nanotube radio's extremely small size could enable radical new applications such as radio controlled devices small enough to exist in the human bloodstream, or simply smaller, cheaper, and more efficient wireless devices such as cellular phones.
A high resolution transmission electron microscope allows us to observe the nanotube radio in action. They have recorded four videos from the electron microscope of the nanotube radio playing four different songs. At the beginning of each video, the nanotube radio is tuned to a different frequency than that of the transmitted radio signal. Thus, the nanotube does not vibrate, and only static noise can be heard. As the radio is brought into tune with the transmitted signal, the nanotube begins to vibrate, which blurs its image in the video, and at the same time, the music becomes audible.
The single nanotube serves, at once, as all major components of a radio: antenna, tuner, amplifier, and demodulator. Moreover, the antenna and tuner are implemented in a radically different manner than traditional radios, receiving signals via high frequency mechanical vibrations of the nanotube rather than through traditional electrical means.
The scientists involved were able to play DJ to consecrate the moment of the first nano-transmission. Their tune of choice? Eric Clapton's Layla and the Beach Boy's Good Vibrations. The nanotube radio's extremely small size could enable radical new applications such as radio controlled devices small enough to exist in the human bloodstream, or simply smaller, cheaper, and more efficient wireless devices such as cellular phones.
A high resolution transmission electron microscope allows us to observe the nanotube radio in action. They have recorded four videos from the electron microscope of the nanotube radio playing four different songs. At the beginning of each video, the nanotube radio is tuned to a different frequency than that of the transmitted radio signal. Thus, the nanotube does not vibrate, and only static noise can be heard. As the radio is brought into tune with the transmitted signal, the nanotube begins to vibrate, which blurs its image in the video, and at the same time, the music becomes audible.
Courtesy Zettl Research Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California at Berkeley
This simulation shows the electric field surrounding the nanotube radio during radio operation. Notice how the field is strongest at the tip of the nanotube and how the field varies as the nanotube vibrates. This effect allows the nanotube radio to demodulate radio signals.
Carbon nanotubes are the miracle material of the chemistry world. Stronger than steel yet very light, nanotubes can also transmit electricity faster than metals as well as emit light. Scientists speculate that nanotubes one day could be incorporated into silicon chips, power lines, medicines, bridges, and aircraft parts. Nanotubes are essentially cylinders made completely from carbon atoms; the incredibly strong bonds that can be formed between carbon atoms are what give nanotubes their unusual properties.
Carbon nanotubes are the miracle material of the chemistry world. Stronger than steel yet very light, nanotubes can also transmit electricity faster than metals as well as emit light. Scientists speculate that nanotubes one day could be incorporated into silicon chips, power lines, medicines, bridges, and aircraft parts. Nanotubes are essentially cylinders made completely from carbon atoms; the incredibly strong bonds that can be formed between carbon atoms are what give nanotubes their unusual properties.
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