Nanomaterials

: Nano particle

Nanotechnolgy has become very popular in a variety of research areas due to their potential industrial applications. The miniaturization of structural elements and mechanical components poses completely new challenges to material science. New material compositions are needed with specialized requirements in terms of strengths, flexibility, electrical properties, and functional properties.

Nanotubes

The full potential of solids NMR has come to bear with the advent of carbon nanotubes. These remarkable materials have enormous technical potential, e.g. as very low resistance conductors or in the fabrication of ultra high-strength cables. The bonding characteristics of single-wall and multi-wall nanotubes can be determined only by magic angle spinning (MAS) ¹³C NMR techniques.

The additional potential for EPR technology can be realized in studies of the motional properties of atoms trapped within the nanotube channel. Motion involving restricted diffusion can be rapidly distinguished from regular hopping processes.

Clusters

From carbon clusters it is only a small step into the fascinating world of small metallic assemblies. The answer to the question: How small can a cluster be and still show metallic characteristics? can now be investigated with the advent of more advanced techniques such as ultra fast spinning.