Boron Nanowhiskers

Gina Miller writes "Chemists at Washington University's Buhro group in St. Louis have created what is hailed as boron nanowhiskers. These are the first of these type of crystalline nanowires, using chemical vapor deposition, at a scale of 20 to 200 nanometers. Carbon has been thus far mainly used, but has been limited as a conductor. The new boron produced particles are more consistant and can be doped to increase conductivity, although the results are more varied in size and structure. The researchers have a glint in their eye for creating boron nanotubes, but have yet to figure that out. The application could be another alternative for the potential of nanoscale electronic wires."