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Scientists have long predicted that unnatural forms
of carbon could have many technologically useful properties, much like
those found for the natural phases of carbon, which are graphite and
diamond. Haley's research seeks to prove those predictions are true
and to do so, the new carbon materials must be of sufficient size to
observe their properties.
"'Supersizing' fragments of unnatural carbon has
enormous implications for determining future applications because
certain properties can only be realized at much larger dimensions,"
said Haley. At a diameter of five to six nanometers (a nanometer is a
billionth of a meter) the new disk-shaped molecules are more than
twice the size of the one-to-two nanometer pieces previously developed
by Haley's team. For instance, Haley explains that molecules of
polystyrene used for Styrofoam cups are rigid because of their large
size. At much smaller molecule sizes, however, the same material is a
viscous liquid. "Size is important," he said.
Haley and doctoral student Jeremiah Marsden were
able to produce several different supersized molecules by using
acetylene subunits to link benzene anchors to form the giant networks.
The expanded molecules have a high density of pi-electrons that are
extremely useful for electronics and optics. Haley said the most
promising application for the new material is in optical electronics
and, specifically, switches used in telecommunications. Haley's group
is collaborating with researchers at the University of Michigan to
test the strength, reliability, and durability of the new material.
Mike Haley is a professor of chemistry and a member
of the university's Materials Science Institute. His research was
funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. |
