A new form of linear carbon.In addition to carbon rods, tubes, and spheres, chemists now report another form of the element: carbon threads. Called linear acetylenic carbon, the new allotrope allotrope Any of two or more forms of the same chemical element. They may have different arrangements of atoms in crystals of the solid—for example, graphite and diamond for carbon—or different numbers of atoms in their molecules—for example, ordinary , or form, of the otherwise sooty soot·y adj. soot·i·er, soot·i·est 1. Covered with or as if with soot. 2. Blackish or dusky in color. 3. Of or producing soot. element shows up as amber-colored, "gossamerlike" threads, whose texture resembles "angel hair," according to Richard J. Lagow, a chemist at the University of Texas at Austin “University of Texas” redirects here. For other system schools, see University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Austin (often referred to as The University of Texas, UT Austin, UT, or Texas . Lagow and his colleagues report their findings in the Jan. 20 SCIENCE. Each filament filament, in astronomy: see chromosphere. appears as 300 to 500 carbon atoms, lined up in a row and linked together by alternating single and triple bonds, Lagow says. The researchers synthesize the carbon lines by using a laser to blast a thin graphite rod inside a glass reactor filled with argon argon (är`gŏn) [Gr.,=inert], gaseous chemical element; symbol Ar; at. no. 18; at. wt. 39.948; m.p. −189.2°C;; b.p. −185.7°C;; density 1.784 grams per liter at STP; valence 0. . The carbon strands splatter the walls of the vessel, from which they are easily removed. The scientists believe that many of the carbon strands wind into spirals, which through a "zipperlike" reaction become fullerenes or soot. Since the carbon strands are reactive and conduct electricity, the researchers see possible uses for them in microelectronics, diamond synthesis, fuel cells, and jet fuel. |
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