25 years since the discovery of carbon nanotubes

The 15th of November marked 25 years since the discovery of carbon nanotubes. The historic day, and the nanotube’s discoverer Professor Sumio Iijima, were celebrated at an event held in Tokyo. Speaking at the event on behalf of Aalto University was Professor Esko I. Kauppinen, who has worked together with Professor Iijima for many years.

In 2007, Professor Kauppinen and his research team discovered carbon nanobud, a composite combining carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, and founded the business Canatu Oy to commercialise the product. Carbon nanobud can be used to manufacture thin films which are stretchable, flexible, and electrically conductive. When attached to thin plastic films, these can be used, for example, in touch screens for mobile phones, tablets, cameras and wearable devices. There is also large demand in the car industry for touch screens that can flex along with the surfaces they are attached to. In fact, Canatu signed already in September 2016 a cooperation agreement with Faurec, the world’s largest manufacturer of car interiors.

See also: Discoverer of carbon nanotubes Sumio Iijima awarded Aalto University Honorary Doctorat