Nanobelts For Cheap Flat-Panel Displays And More

zero_offset writes: "This article describes a new nanoscale creation they're calling nanobelts. Some of the described potential uses are pretty cool (more than just flat-panel displays mentioned in the title), and they sound a bit more realistic for the relatively near future than many other nano-tech promises and projections I've read."

Nano-belts

[SpanishInquisition]

for Nano-pants [slashdot.org]?


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Sensitive to gas and liquid

[silicon_synapse]

Zinc oxide and tin oxide nanobelts could be the basis for ultra-small sensors because the conductivity of these materials changes dramatically when gas or liquid molecules attach to their surfaces.

I wonder if these could provide the basis for artificial skin? Layers could be applied to prosthetics to make them more life-like. Or even on the outside of a space suit. Imagine astronauts being able to feel with their hands as the explore. Maybe I'm assuming too much and getting ahead of myself, but that'd be really cool.


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Re:Cheap flexible displays?

[Martin Blank]

I'm more curious about the possibilities of this working for things like structures of nanobots. If these can be grown into sensors and processors, and then perhaps into a casing for them using small organic motors for thrust, would this be the answer for how to house these? Before this, what I had read indicated few problems figuring out how to do sensors, but the body and any manipulative portions were a huge question mark.

Cheap flexible displays?

[silicon_synapse]

Despite their origin in normally brittle oxide compounds, the nanobelts are flexible and can be bent 180 degrees without breaking
...
Wang says production of the nanobelts is simple and should scale up easily for high-volume production at industrial quantities.

I wonder if we could add a little reinforcment and build flexible displays cheaply. Roll up and carry a 21" display with your laptop!


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Re:Sensitive to gas and liquid

[vinnythenose]

Oh no that woudl be bad!! If you could feel with your hands in space, just think of how cold your hands would feel!!!!

Re:Sensitive to gas and liquid

[silicon_synapse]

lol Good point! I guess you could adjust sensitivity or something.


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Re:Cheap flexible displays?

[silicon_synapse]

But with the strands being so flexible, would they be rigid enough to be used as a casing? Or is that not an issue on this scale?


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Hmm... (OT)

[pope nihil]

Slashdot still appears to be broken. This story was apparently posted well over an hour ago, yet hasn't appeared on the front page yet. Ah, well.