Super profitable product of 8X scientist

The group of young scientists from the Department of Materials Research and Components Technology has just launched a product that promises to bring super profits to the country: carbon nanotube materials.

The author of the study is in the 8X generation: Nguyen Van Chuc (1982), Phan Ngoc Hong (1983) and Bui Hung Thang (1983). The project has just been awarded the 18th Youth Science and Technology Award and is being considered for patent by the National Office of Intellectual Property.

Results of 5 years of testing

Master Nguyen Van Chuc, a member of the research team, said that since 2004, the group has begun to research carbon nanotube materials (CNTs).

However, the most difficult is to make carbon fiber of short size (5-10µm). In addition, the team must also design the necessary equipment to build a synchronized production process.

The CNTs products are obtained in the laboratory.Photo: Manh Dong

Along with the synthesis of materials, the researchers also experimented with cleaning technologies for CNTs materials. To do this, the group has to study new materials from synthetic experiments, research conditions of fabrication technology, testing many times through measurements: scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) , transmission electron micrograph (TEM), weight differential thermal analysis (TGA) .

After nearly 5 years of hard work, in early 2008, the team harvested the first products. Test results on a dedicated machine showed that CNTs products with a diameter of 8-10nm, a length of 5-10 µm and a cleanness of over 95%. 'When we hold the test results in our hands, we don't believe our eyes. Only when we checked again, did we believe it was true , 'recalls Master Nguyen Van Chuc.

The research results also showed that CNTs materials are light, durable, high heat resistance (about 2,800 degrees C in vacuum and 600-700 degrees Celsius in air), good thermal conductivity. 'At present, laboratory-scale CNTs production capacity reaches 150g / day, 95% cleanliness and can increase' capacity 'to 500g / day,' said Dr. masters.

Looking for 'shaking hands'

Flip through photos of CNTs products with extremely small size (5-20 µm), Master Nguyen Van Chuc said: The Department of Electronic Materials and Components Research is continuing to research and apply this material. into nickel and chromium plating technology to increase mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of plating.

The results of laboratory research showed that nickel and chromium plating hardness after plating carbon nanotubes from 1.5 to 2 times, adhesion increased by 1.4 times and improved resistance to corrosion. significant. This result is a premise for the Research Department of Electronic Materials and Components to continue researching and putting into production of transducers in electronic microscope equipment.

Although nanomaterials have great potential for application, the difficult problem for scientists is how to exploit applications and commercialize.

To "sell" themselves, scientists from the Research Department of Electronic Materials and Components are putting this material into the application and production of rubber gaskets and self-lubricating silver of Hai Pump manufacturing joint stock company. Ocean. Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Head of Technology Design Department, Hai Duong Pump Joint Stock Company said: products with high compression resistance, durability of 1.5-2 times. In addition, research results are also being transferred to Hung Yen University of Technical Education.