A team of scientists was able to weave together the tiniest of particles. They hope that this technology and the resulting 3D-nanofabric composed from covalent organic framework could be used in the future for carbon sequestration.
Nanomaterials are not created usually by weaving. However, according to The Christian Science Monitor, a team of scientists from the University of California and U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have designed a technology that knits a three-dimensional, organic framework by using synthesized threads.
According to the news release published by the Berkeley Lab, weaving is unknown in biology but it was for long sought after in chemistry. Omar Yaghi, a chemist affiliated both with the UC Berkeley's chemistry department and the Berkeley Lab, explains that the team of researchers have found for the first time a way of weaving organic threads.
The research team was able to create the nanofabric by synthesizing a reaction between two elements and a copper compound. The copper compound has the role to provide the necessary structure in the resulting nanofabric for the woven material to create a three-dimensional shape.
The resulting woven nanomaterial is called a covalent organic framework (COF). The structure carries mechanical potential, adaptability and extremely high elasticity. It is not necessary to make any overall change in the COF's structure in order to add or remove the copper compounds.
This method will enable scientists to design and create complex organic structures in two- and three-dimensions. According to Dr. Yaghi, the resulting nanofabric could also be used for carbon sequestration.
The researcher explains further that by designing the COFs the scientists are learning how to link atomic and molecular building units with incredible precision by strong bond and to assemble them into weaving forms. This will allow in the near future developing materials with exceptional dynamics, versatility and mechanical properties.
The scientists believe that the woven particles will have many applications, including for developing new plastics and fuels.
