IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become increasingly useful in different applications since they were discovered in 1991 by Sumio Iijima [1]. One of their many useful qualities is their electronic properties [2]. These CNTs, when formed into a network, can be used as transistors [3] or biosensors [4]. Transistors are devices that regulate either current flow or voltage and act as a switch; they are a crucial component of computers. Biosensors detect the presence of biomolecules. Efficient transistors and biosensors already exist; however, they are expensive to manufacture compared to these CNT networks. The ability of the CNT networks to be transistors or biosensors relies on the percolation properties of the networks. As long as these networks percolate, current can pass through the network from a source electrode to a drain electrode, which can then be modulated by an electrical or biological signal to make devices such as transistors useful.
Recommended Citation
Grieder, William P.; Gannett, Will; and Saunders, Ruth
(2020)
"Percolation in Carbon Nanotube Networks,"
IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt: Vol. 4, Article 10.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/ideafest/vol4/iss1/10