On futuristic materials

Let us now discuss about the last issue related to this lecture: the materials that are perceived to be of significant use in near future. Material scientists are churning out many such wonder materials – to name a few we would consider

• Carbon Nanotubes
• Bulk Metallic Glass
• Nano-composites
• Intelligent Materials and
• Rock fibers

Carbon Nanotubes:

Carbon Nanotubes, popularly known as CNTs are molecular-scale tubes of graphitic carbon with outstanding properties. Carbon atoms in a carbon nanotube have one s and two p-orbitals, leaving one p-orbital to overlap with three of the neighbouring atoms, as in graphite. The tubes can therefore be considered as rolled-up graphite sheets. The strength of the sp² carbon-carbon bonds provides very high strength and modulus. The Young's modulus of the best nanotubes can be as high as 1000 GPa, approximately 5 times higher than steel. The tensile strength of nanotubes can be up to 65 GPa, around 50 times higher than steel. They also possess remarkably high electrical and thermal
properties.