This allowed us to measure, for the first time, the tensile strength of a single nanotube, namely the outermost shell. These have only one cylinder, are not nested like the multiwalled variety, and are now available due to advances in synthesis. We are excited about how strong these nanotubes may be, because theory is suggesting strengths several hundred times that of the highest strength steels. In addition, Ruoff's group is expanding its repertoire of measurements. They may also be piezoelectric.
Piezoelectric materials expand and contract with the application of an electric voltage.
This could lead to new applications, such as in nanoscale sensors or in artificial muscle. Ruoff said that the tools that his group has built are themselves of interest for use in the new and rapidly growing area of research and development in nanotechnology. While I suppose we should be happy both for taking on a challenging problem and for the fact that we have achieved some important scientific results, there is still much room for further advances with manipulation of matter at the nanometer length scale. I admit to an emotional desire that this 'human element' will always be present, but in the future, it will be the chore of remarkably tiny machines, perhaps having some stiff and strong nanotube components, to carry out the 'pick and place' of material to build other little machines, devices, cars, houses, roads and so on, as pre-programmed.