Uses of Carbon

As a class, we will be viewing the following video clips that give an overview of carbon nanotubes.

 

http://www.azonano.com/nanotechnology-video-details.asp?VidID=39

http://www.azonano.com/nanotechnology-video-details.asp?VidID=164

Research: Find an online example of a new technology that utilizes carbon nanotubes.

 

Comment (Due Date Wednesday, Nov. 25 by 12:50 pm): 

 

Post the link to your article and...

• Summarize --- brief (1-2 paragraph) summary of your findings
• Analyze --- pros and cons

 Read each others' posts and:

 

Share --- post your comments on what others have found and share the information with someone outside of class (due date: Thursday, December 3 by 12:50 pm)

Arrangement of Carbon Atoms

Visit the mineral galleries website and research diamond and graphite to see how they are alike and how they are different.

• List the physical characteristics of each
• Explain the organization of carbon atoms for each  

http://mineral.galleries.com/default.htm

Explore carbon and graphite on the interactive website below. After you have an understanding of the organization of the carbon atoms for both, find fullerenes and

• Explain how the carbon atoms are organized and
• List some properties and uses of fullerenes.

http://www.worldofmolecules.com/3D/fullerene.htm

Bamboo?

Revisit the http://www.calfeedesign.com/ site and research the use of bamboo as bike frames. Follow the links to Time and Newsweek articles and view the video clips on the site.


Comment: Write a paragraph on how the physical properties of bamboo make it useful in construction. What other factors play a role in choosing to use bamboo? (consider social, historical or environmental impact)

Physical and Chemical Properties

The eight allotropes of carbon

To connect what we have been studying in class regarding

Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes,

we are going to explore the question:

How does the molecular structure of matter affect the

physical characteristics of a specific material?

Explore the website below.

Use the menu on the left of the screen to get an overview of the site.
Under "Tech Papers" choose "White Paper" and find information on

• steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon

List the physical and chemical properties of each substance.


Comment:
What makes carbon the most desirable material in bike construction and what has led to the advancement of composites within cycling?

http://www.calfeedesign.com/

Industry Parallels

Read the section:

"Industry parallels"

Comment:
Why have there only been a few American bike companies that have been willing to learn the technology necessary to develop innovative composite framesets?

The Importance of Design

Read the section:

"The importance of good design"

Bonding to carbon fiber has always been a problem for carbon frame builders:

Comment:
Why is this a challenge and what possible solution might there be?