(December 27, 2010) — Nanoscience Instruments, a distributor of nanotechnology instrumentation and supplies, announced a new benchtop carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis device. The Nanotech Innovations SSP-354 is a low-cost system for producing high-quality, multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The device uses an injection CVD process developed at NASA and is integrated into an instrument small enough to fit in a fume hood. The system can produce research-quality, multi-wall carbon nanotubes within a few hours.
The SSP-354 CNT system was designed for affordability and ease of use. The user injects Nanotech Innovations’ organometallic precursor solution into a two-zone furnace where iron catalyst particles are formed. Once growth is catalyzed, the nanotubes form on the surface of a quartz process tube, which is later removed to collect the material. The nanotubes average 50nm in diameter and can be anywhere from several micrometers to a few hundred micrometers in length, depending on operating parameters.
Because the design eliminates many of the steps normally required in producing CNTs, the system suits educational environments where students may be trained to both produce and characterize CNTs. "The SSP-354 CNT system is a great complement to our easy to use AFMs," says Mark Flowers, director at Nanoscience Instruments. "We can now provide simple and cost-effective nanomaterial fabrication along with our line of characterization tools."
Nanoscience Instruments Inc. provides products and services for nanoscience and supports research and engineering at universities, government laboratories, and industrial R&D facilities around the world. More information can be found at www.nanoscience.com
Nanotech Innovations LLC was formed in 2005 to commercialize the NASA technology that is at the heart of the SSP-354 system and process. The company received the patent in July 2010 and continues to produce systems for sale to the educational and research markets as well as investigate the production of new nanomaterials.
Follow Small Times on Twitter.com by clicking www.twitter.com/smalltimes. Or join our Facebook group
