NanoSource is developing an Innovative Mechanosynthetic process converting graphene into carbon nanotubes.
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The Mechanosynthesis of graphene allows for precise control as to chirality and diameter which determines the properties of the nanotubes
Nanotube diameter is Dtube = 0.078 (n2 + nm + m2)1/2 nanometers, where (n, m) is the "rollup vector" defined by the number of steps required for a repeat pattern along two crystallographic cylinder wall axes wherein the cohesive energy per atom required to curve a flat graphene sheet into a cylinder is Erollup = (13 zJ-nm2 / Dtube2). (1 zeptojoule (zJ) = 1021 joules.) As an example, a (10,10) nanotube has Dtube = 1.36 nm and Erollup = 7 zJ/atom. NanoSource has overcome the large amount of energy required to mechanical transform graphene into a carbon nanotube by implementing a self-zippering process using Mechanosynthesis processes.