Dominoes in Carbon Nanotubes

Tienchong Chang
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 175501 – Published 21 October 2008
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Abstract

We demonstrate by molecular dynamics simulations that the domino process can be developed in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Once a section of a SWCNT with an appropriate diameter (>3.5nm) is collapsed, the successive collapse of the neighboring portions can generate a domino wave along the longitudinal direction of the tube. The wave is driven by van der Waals potential energy and its natural speed can be up to 1km/s. Molecules inside the SWCNT can be accelerated by the domino wave and finally shot out. The finding shows for the first time that a SWCNT can be an energy supplier, which provides opportunities for designing new concept (domino-driven) nanoelectromechanical system devices.

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  • Received 17 June 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.175501

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Tienchong Chang*

  • Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Institute of Low Dimensional Carbon and Device Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People’s Republic of China

  • *tchang@staff.shu.edu.cn

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 17 — 24 October 2008

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