“Nanopopcorn” produced by the RosNOU Nanoreactor to Facilitate Russian Nanotechnology Development

Researchers of the Russian New University (RosNOU) presented the purest multi-layer carbon nanotubes at the International Nanotechnological Forum “Rusnanotech 2009”. The level of purity of these nanotubes is up to 99% which is considered to be of the highest in the world.

Among some few producers of similar purity carbon nanotubes RosNOU enjoys a significant advantage, the best market price. It results from a special production technique of nanotubes developed by in the Centre of Nanotechnologies at the RosNOU Innovation Park. Many other nanotechnology engineers seem to use a multilevel cleaning process layout to produce carbon nanomaterials. The RosNOU product doesn’t need any additional cleaning, which makes its cost price considerably lower. The secret lies in the RosNOU nanoreactor which looks very much like a “popcorn-producing device”. It is this plant that produces the purest nanotubes.

The use of carbon nanotubes is especially prospective in many kinds of business. They include:

•  Mechanical application (ultra strong fibers, composites, nano-scales)
•  Microelectronics (transistors, nanowires, transparent conductive surfaces, combustion cells)
•  To provide connection between biological neurons and electronic devices in the latest brain-computer projects
•  Capillary application and medicine (capsules for active molecules, storing of metals and gases, nanopipettes etc.)
•  Optics (screens, light emitting diodes)
•  Space exploration research.

Eugenie Palkin, RosNOU vice-rector for Innovation and Scientific Research, said:

“At the moment we are able to apply our nanotubes in various industries, such as aviation, for example. Also they can be used in the process of production of glues, paints, varnishes and lacquers, and in other trades”.

Business contacts with producers interested in nanotubes were successfully established at the nanoforum. Within a period of three days of the exhibition potential partners got about 100 g of RosNOU nanotubes to try. Just for comparison: it takes no more than 50 g of nanotubes to produce up to 500 kg of nanomodified paint.

Three more producers as well as RosNOU presented their carbon nanotubes at the exhibition. The level of purity of their products reaches only 80%.