Copper wire may be on its way out

John Winskas, Staff Writer
October 17, 2011
Filed under Commentary, Science & Tech

   A lot has been said about the potential application of nanotechnology, within the last 15 years. Investment banks, entreprenuers, and engineers have been spent billions of dollars in research into companies which until recently, have been running in the red. Things have changed in the past few years with on going improvement in nanomaterial production processes. Engineers are now able to produce these materials cost effectively and efficiently.

   The most prominent and exciting development that has come out of this are tiny tube-like structures made from branched chains of carbon called nanotubes. Researchers and engineers are busy trying to discover economical applications for a material that can be as flexible as rubber and at the same time up to 65 times stronger than steel. In the September 2011 issue of “Nature’, a report was published on nanotubes that were doped with Iodine showing higher electric-conductivity than copper wire, with some results showing higher conductivity than any metal except for sodium. It also showed a remarkable 478% less change in electrical resistance in temperatures ranging from 200-400 K.

   So, not only do these doped nano-tubes conduct electricity better than copper, they are also lighter and more dependable  at extreme temperatures. With all these advantages and a production process that is simple and economical, it may only be a matter of time before expensive copper wire will begin to be phased out.

   Yet copper wire is just the beginning;  nanotubes are one of the fastest growing fields in technology. In the coming years we can expect them to be replacing many of the products and materials we are currently using and creating drastic changes in the world as we know it.

   For more on nano technology, visit the National Nanotechnology Initiative:

http://www.nano.gov/

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Twitter @NNInanonews