Nanopumping Using Carbon Nanotubes

• DOI: 10.1021/nl060932m
• Publication Date: 2006-07-27T09:01:35Z
• Authors: Zeke Insepov; Dieter Wolf; Ahmed Hassanein
• Keywords: Models, Molecular; Nanotubes, Carbon; Microfluidics; 02 engineering and technology; Helium; Diffusion; Models, Chemical; Nanotechnology; Computer Simulation; Gases; 0210 nano-technology; Capillary Action; Hydrogen

A new "nanopumping" effect consisting of the activation of an axial gas flow inside a carbon nanotube by producing Rayleigh traveling waves on the nanotube surface is predicted. The driving force for the new effect is the friction between the gas particles and the nanotube walls. A molecular dynamics simulation of the new effect was carried out showing macroscopic flows of atomic and molecular hydrogen and helium gases in a carbon nanotube.