By Rob Coppinger: 29 March 2002

A NEW low-energy method of mass-poducing carbon nanotubes has been developed.
Carbon nanotubes are lighter than stell and 100 times as strong. They conduct electricity more efficiently than copper and have many potential applications in the electronics industry.

Although several companies around the world have successfully made nanotubes, the efficient production of large amounts has been proved a challenge.

Now Rosseter Holdings in Cyprus claims to have developed a low-energy production technique and says it is on the verge of signing supply contracts with a number of electronics manufacturers.

Maria Xenophontos-Ioannou, managing director, said the company can produce 60kg of carbon nanotubes per week using the new process.

"That is industrial scale. We have finally put into production what we call our Nanotube Generator. We are already in talks to supply US and Japanese companies that make mobile phones, flat panel displays, computers and fuel cells. A European consortium developing artificial organs is also in discussions with us."

Other potential applications for nanotubes include artificial muscles, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, data storage, reinforced armour, electromagnetic shielding and nano-electronics. With such a range of uses, the race is on to win a piece of what promises to be a valuable market.

Until now, nanotubes have been produced by chemical vapour deposition using a hydrocarbon gas under high pressures, which is relatively expensive, said Xenophontos-Ioannou.
Instead her company uses a liquid hydrocarbon, a process which she claims is more environmentally friendly and easier to use, and can achieve a higher level of output.

The Nanotube Generator is a canister with six rod-like electrodes inside. The canister is filled with the hydrocarbon liquid and a current is passed through it. the nanotubes fix to the rods, enabling easy collection.

This production method was developed by Russian scientist Dr. Vladislav Ryzhkov, who is now the company's R&D director. Previously he worked as a senior researcher at Russia's NuclearPhysics Institute of Tomsk.

The UK company Hyperion Catalysis and Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. of the US, are also producing nanotubes.

Carbon Nanotechnologies is run by Richard Smalley of Texas University. His nanotube work with Prof. Sir Harry Kroto at the University of Surrey was awarded the Nobel prize in 1996.