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SUMMARY:Protein Assisted Assembly of  Carbon Nanotube into Functional Mate
 rials - joint with Nanoscience - Dr. Alan B. Dalton\, Department of Physic
 s and the Unis Materials Institute\, University of Surrey
DTSTART:20051021T131500Z
DTEND:20051021T141500Z
UID:TALK4428@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Duncan Simpson
DESCRIPTION:Individual Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) have extraordi
 nary properties. An important challenge is to develop practical technologi
 es for transforming this intractable\, low density soot into macroscopic a
 ssemblies such as composites\, sheets or fibers having properties that exp
 loit the extraordinary electrical and mechanical properties of the individ
 ual molecule. In particular\, the fabrication of such assemblies\, effecti
 vely using the spectacular modulus and failure strength of individual SWNT
 s coupled with other augmentative functions such as mechanical actuation w
 ould be a critical breakthrough to realizing their potential. In this talk
 \, I will present two different approaches to achieving these goals.\nSelf
 -assembly and specificity in biological systems derives from control of su
 rfaces.  Proteins and other biological materials have evolved diverse comp
 lementary surfaces that enable interactions that lead to self-assembly and
  specificity. We have identified a variety of peptides that give SWNTs a c
 ustomizable surface that not only facilitates separation and processing bu
 t can be interfaced with living cells. Moreover\, through control of inter
 -peptide interactions\, it is possible to assemble the hybrid nanostructur
 es into macroscopic functional materials.  We show that the self-assembly 
 process of individual short SWNTs wrapped by folded polypeptides into stru
 ctures is truly hierarchical. \nI will also describe spinning continuous S
 WNT composite fibers having a higher toughness than spider silk or any oth
 er natural or synthetic fiber\, as well as high tensile strength and modul
 us. Normalized to density\, the strength and modulus is twice that of stee
 l wire.  We make fiber supercapacitors from our spun fibers and weave them
  into textiles. These nanotube composite fibers\, which are easily woven o
 r sewn into textiles\, are quite interesting for artificial muscles and ot
 her electronic textile applications - such as distributed sensors\, electr
 onic interconnects\, electromagnetic shielding\, antennas\, and batteries.
  Such applications and the origin of the attractive fiber properties will 
 be discussed.\n\n\n\nNote change of venue - Small Lecture Theatre\n\nWebli
 nk for more info:\nhttp://www.ph.surrey.ac.uk/profiles?s_name=Alan_Dalton
LOCATION:Small Lecture Theatre\, Cavendish Laboratory
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