Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), cancer therapy, SEM

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs are tubular nanostructures made up of rolled-up layers of graphene. Graphene is a 2-dimensional sheet of carbon one atom thick, and has been described as a wonder material as it is one of the thinnest, strongest materials so far discovered and conducts electricity more efficiently than copper. CNTs are being researched for their ability to act as nanocarriers, in order to deliver drugs or genes, for example to a tumour. When CNTs are exposed to a laser beam and heated up, this kills cancer cells in a process called 'thermal ablation'. This image shows the CNTs after being irradiated. During irradiation, exposure to high amounts of energy destroys their tubular structure (white and orange) while non-irradiated CNTs remain intact (purple). Length of the nanotube is approximately 250 nanometres.