Rice University is in Texas, far from the main scientific centers of the USA. But despite this, it occupies one of the leading positions in the field of nanotechnologies. Creation of a tiny cable capable to provide break in the field of energy accumulation became one of the last progress of researchers of the university. Accidentally made discovery of scientists inspired them on new researches and experiments.
Scientists from Rice University managed to create the most tiny coaxial cable. Its diameter is less than 100 nanometers, that is is about one thousand times thinner than a human hair. Despite such dimensions, a cable has the huge electric capacity exceeding similar parameters of the known microcondensers. At production of a nanocable the modern technologies which entered an arsenal of researchers after discovery of graphene are used.
Kabel baby is supposed to use for creation of small-sized accumulators of new generation which can be established in electric vehicles. One more of possible applications of a nanocable – transfer of high-frequency signals within the crystal forming the microchip basis.
On appearance the tiny cable is similar to those coaxial wires which bring signals of cable television to the ordinary television receiver. The core of a cable is occupied by the copper conductor covered with the insulation layer containing copper oxide. This multilayered system is surrounded by one more conducting layer. Instead of a traditional grid from the weaved copper conductors in a nanocable the thinnest layer of carbon is used. Such three-layer system represents in fact the ordinary electric condenser capable to accumulate and keep electric charge. It turned out that the capacity of such nanocondenser is ten times higher than settlement and makes about 140 microfarads on 1 sq. cm of the area. Researchers consider that such supereffect became possible because of influence of quantum effects. The package from a set of such coaxial nanocables in a certain way ordered and placed on the basis can be used for creation of the accumulator of energy of big power. Such accumulator will be deprived of the majority of the shortcomings inherent in chemical batteries. Researchers continue experiments, seeking to realize the received principle of accumulation of energy in concrete efficient devices.