Graphite

Graphite, natural or synthetic, is composed of covalently bonded carbon atoms that are crystalline in structure due to Van der Waals attraction of its layered carbon sheets. It has a gray or black color, with thermal and electrical conductivity. With its properties, it can be used in many “industrial applications like in batteries and fuel cells” (Olson 2003). Although graphite has its useful characteristics, its performance is limited due to its large particles’ size resulting to “low aspect ratio” (Neja, Manjula and Subhas 2012, vol.2, 74-78). For this reason, studies to increase high aspect ratio lead to researches in decreasing its size by making graphite nanoplatelets, graphite nanosheets and even the mono-layered carbon sheets known as…

The power pack was connected to a non-power electrical outlet. 2. Alligator-clip wires were attached to the D.C. outputs of the power pack. 3. An ammeter with already an alligator clip wire attached, was connected to one end of a wire that was attached to the power pack (See Diagram A). 4. The opposite ends of the alligator clip wires were attached to either end of a 17.5cm long graphite pencil (making sure that both ends of the pencil were sharpened). 5. A voltmeter that had two alligator clip…

Nanotubes are members of fullerene structural family. Nanotube’s walls are formed by one-atom thick sheet of carbon called Graphene. The combination of rolling angle and radius decides the nanotube’s properties. They have extraordinary thermal conductivity, mechanical, and electrical properties. There are two types of CNTs: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Multi-walled consists of two or more concentric cylindrical shells of graphene sheets…

In the book Stuff Matters, Mark Miodownik delves into the intricacies of the materials that allow the modern world to exist and thrive. In chapter 8, Unbreakable, Miodownik discusses the significance and characteristics of various forms of carbon in a historical lens. Although derived from the same element, graphite, diamond, and graphene all have unique properties unlike any other materials. Miodownik begins by offering a relatable anecdote to his childhood art class in order to truly show the…

Chapter-4 (Introduction to FEM Analysis using COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS) 4.1 Introduction: In simplest form we can define Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) as miniaturized electro-mechanical devices made by using various techniques of micro-fabrication, where the dimensions can be in the range from less than one micron to several millimeters. Many MEMS devices are of the size of a grain or the eye of a needle. MEMS is indeed one of the most promising and emerging areas of engineering. This…

1. INTRODUCTION Graphene consists of single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the basic structural element of many other forms of carbon, such as graphite, charcoal, carbon nanotubes and fullerenes. In simple terms, graphene, is a thin layer of pure carbon bonded together in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice. It is the thinnest compound known to man, the lightest material known, the strongest compound discovered, the best conductor of heat at room temperature and also the…

properties up to 2000 °C, which makes them great candidates for heat shielding applications. CFRCs are great heat conductors and have low coefficients of thermal expansion. These properties in turn yield a low susceptibility to thermal shock and exceptional creep resistance. CFRC Composite Structure Carbon fibers have great tensile mechanical properties; they show better yield strength (1.5-4.8GPa) and lower density than homogeneous metals such as steels and aluminum alloys. On the other hand,…

Dr. Andrzeij Sygula Research Dr. Sygula research is on polycyclic hydrocarbons called buckybowls. Due to their non-planarity, these moleules resemble fragments of fullerene, hence the name buckybowl. The smallest buckybowl to date is coronnulene, a non-planar hydrocarbon made up of five overlapping 1, 3-cyclohexadiene rings figure 1. The synthesis of coronnulene in lab is very challenging primarily because of the stress associated with the non-plannar molecule. Dr. Sygula’s lab accidentally came…

Six-year-old children do not make good doctors. This statement may seem fairly obvious, but my six-year-old-self was ignorant to this fact. Sitting in the middle of a carpet floor of a white-walled classroom, my best friend Gracie and I were using mechanical pencils to give each other ‘shots’. After cleaning our arms, hands, thighs and any other body parts that desperately needed medical attention with hand sanitizer and tissues, we traded turns being the doctor and administering the ‘shots’.…

Silicon carbide has been recognised as an important structural ceramic material because of its unique combination of properties. It is a promising ceramic material that can replace conventional metals and ionic-bonded oxide ceramics such as alumina. Structure of Silicon carbide Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon, a metalloid, and carbon, a nonmetal, and has a giant molecular lattice structure. It has a similar structure with diamond. Each carbon atom is joined tetrahedrally to four…