Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-06-18

High performance and ultralight carbon nanotube wires for power transmission

Objective

Due to their unique molecular structure carbon nanotubes can offer high electrical conductivity and superior current density. Both of these properties are sought after, especially for overhead power transmission lines where the extremely high axial strength of nanotubes would also be a bonus. In this research proposal single wall carbon nanotubes (nanometer size tubes made of rolled up graphene sheets) with desirable dimensions and controlled way of the graphene sheet rolled up into a tube (referred to as chirality), will be synthesized and spun into fibres using two unique methods, which were developed in Cambridge. These high performance carbon nanotube fibres will be explored as flexible, lightweight, highly efficient materials for use as wires for a variety of power transmission applications.
The project will focus on achieving precise chirality control of carbon nanotubes through crystallographic manipulation of the catalyst particles using a recently-discovered in-house method. Tuning the molecular structure of individual nanotubes will achieve maximum uniformity and desired level of electrical conductivity. Next, carbon nanotube fibres will be spun using a unique process currently available only in Cambridge. The quality of fibres will be assessed, after which the fibres will be assembled into strands and cables. In the final stage, different polymeric coatings will be investigated as insulation for the wires and diverse geometries explored. There will be several fundamental benefits from the outcome of this research proposal. Demonstration of the chirality control of nanotubes, which is the “holy grail” in the field, would be important in itself, while application of the material as useful wires and cables will make it much more immediately useful

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
EU contribution
€ 1 470 114,00
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0