Nanocarbon for novel composites and functional materials

The main objective of the project will be to identify new key technologies for applications of novel nanocarbon materials. One research task in the project involves exploring the possible use of the unique carbon cones for safe and efficient hydrogen sto rage in the envisioned "hydrogen society". For this, advanced computer model calculations will be performed to identify possible mechanisms for the unusual uptake of hydrogen in carbon cones in comparison with other carbon materials. The model predictions will be tested out with advanced experimental tools. The other major research task involves exploration of the unique electronic and structural properties of carbon cones in comparison with carbon nanotubes. The materials will be analyzed using the foll owing advanced experimental tools: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) and other suitable techniques like Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) available at the JEEP II research reactor at Kjeller.