Nanowires Formed By Novel Extrusion Method - New Technology

Researchers from the University of Chicago, Oxford University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Purdue University have combined forces to find a new way to form nanowires from bulk material. Their findings could dramatically cut costs and increase yields.

The discovery was initially made from the observation of a drop water falling into viscous oil. The water started out as the expected smooth parabolic shape, but when it looked to be about to break off, liquid from inside the droplet shot out the tapered end in a thin stream. The researchers have taken that dynamic flow and are able to form long, narrow wires 8 microns in diameter and 2 millimeters long.

They believe they can refine the process and produce nanowires only or 2 to 4 nanometers in diameter.

Posted 17^th November 2003