[NLRS] nanotube antennas

[chuck munce]

Gang=20
I got this from qrp ref
CHUCK MUNCE K0SQ

From: Science Daily=20
<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031231082951.htm>

In the future, your cell phone calls and television pictures could =
become a=20
lot clearer thanks to tiny antennas thousands of times smaller than the=20
width of a human hair. At least that's the speculation of a University =
of=20
Southern California researcher who has been investigating nanotube =
transistors.

The USC scientist, Bart Kosko, Ph.D., a professor in the school's=20
Electrical Engineering Department, led a study that has demonstrated for =

the first time that minuscule antennas, in the form of carbon nanotube=20
transistors, can dramatically enhance the processing of electrical =
signals,=20
a development that could pave the way for improved performance of =
consumer=20
electronic devices.

The finding adds to a growing number of promising electronic components=20
that are nanotube-based, including logic gates for computers and diodes =
for=20
light displays. The study appears in the December issue of Nano Letters, =
a=20
monthly peer-reviewed publication of the American Chemical Society, the=20
world's largest scientific society.

"No one knows exactly how these little tubes work or even if they will =
work=20
out in manufacturing, but they are surprisingly good at detecting=20
electrical signals," says Kosko. "Once we figure out all the parameters=20
that are needed to fine tune them, both physically and chemically, we =
hope=20
to turn these tubes into powerful little antennas."

If all goes well, the tubes could start appearing in consumer products=20
within five to ten years, he predicts.

The finding hinges on a well-known but counterintuitive theory called=20
"stochastic resonance" that claims noise, or unwanted signals, can =
actually=20
improve the detection of faint electrical signals. Kosko set out to show =

that the theory was applicable at the nano scale.

Under controlled laboratory conditions, Kosko's graduate student, Ian =
Lee,=20
generated a sequence of faint electrical signals ranging from weak to=20
strong. In combination with noise, the faint signals were then exposed =
to=20
devices with and without carbon nanotubes. The signals were =
significantly=20
enhanced in the container with the nanotubes compared to those without=20
nanotubes, Kosko says.

Although much testing needs to be conducted before the structures are=20
proven to be of practical use, Kosko sees big potential for the little=20
tubes. He says they show promise for improving "spread spectrum"=20
technology, a signal processing technique used in many newer phones that =

allows listeners to switch to different channels for clearer signals and =
to=20
prevent others from eavesdropping.

Arrays of the tiny tubes could also process image pixel data, leading to =

improved television images, including flat-panel displays, according to=20
Kosko. The tubes also have the potential to speed up Internet =
connections,=20
the researcher says.

In a more futuristic application, Kosko believes the tubes have the=20
potential to act as artificial nerve cells, which could help enhance=20
sensation and movement to damaged nerves and limbs. The sensors might =
even=20
be used as electrical components in artificial limbs, he adds.

By adjusting the shape, length and chemical composition of the =
nanotubes,=20
as well as the size of the tube array, they can in essence be customized =

for a wide-variety of electronic needs, Kosko predicts. "There are =
likely=20
many good applications for the technology that we have not foreseen."

Funding for this study was provided by the National Science Foundation.

This story has been adapted from a news release issued by American =
Chemical=20
Society.



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