carbon nanotube
- noun
- /ˈkɑrbən ˈnænəˌtub/
- Specialized
- What's more, many advances in the use of carbon nanotubes generally can be harnessed by researchers looking to use them for elastic energy storage.
- carbon nanotube springs
- carbon nanotubes and nanoribbons
Short of using carbon nanotubes, this stuff is the darkest black in a bottle, and we've got lots of it.
- Short of using carbon nanotubes, this stuff is the darkest black in a bottle, and we've got lots of it.
Examples
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Carbon nanotubes, shown here in tufts several millimeters tall, have the strength and suppleness to make superior springs.
Academic text (2010) -
One promising candidate is the carbon nanotube.
Academic text (2010) -
Could we build a carbon nanotube spring and measure the energy it stored?
Academic text (2010) -
But carbon nanotube springs really work and work right now.
Academic text (2010) -
Some of the more recent arrivals in the lab, such as carbon nanotubes, are still the subject of basic research.
Academic text (2002) -
The first is that MIT has found a form of carbon nanotubes that are stable, safe, and cheap to produce.
Blog text (13) -
The significance of this study predicts it will now be more difficult to trace the effects of the carbon nanotubes on the environment.
Academic text (2011) -
Our results speak to the need for better-ordered fibers to serve as the basis of carbon nanotube springs.
Academic text (2010) -
Researchers have shown that carbon nanotubes (right) can be strung across electrodes to make minute transistors (left).
Academic text (2003) -
Researchers are exploring the use of carbon nanotubes to create stronger and lighter materials for construction.
Synonyms
A very small hollow tube made of carbon atoms used in tiny machines and materials
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward noun–noun compound: 'carbon' names the material and 'nanotube' names the cylindrical molecular structure, so the meaning is directly derivable as a nanotube made of carbon. This compositional pattern (material + object) is common cross-linguistically and should be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The noun carbon nanotube comes from the image of carbon rolled into a very small nanotube. Imagine a tiny straw made of carbon — that's why carbon nanotubes are so strong and can carry electricity well today.