Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026

A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Published on: January 21, 2016
Electromechanical properties of metallic, quasimetallic, and semiconducting carbon nanotubes under stretching
Jien Cao1, Qian Wang, Hongjie Dai
1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Abstract:
An electromechanical system is constructed to explore the electrical properties of various types of suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes under the influence of tensile stretching. Small band-gap semiconducting (or quasimetallic) nanotubes exhibit the largest resistance changes and piezoresistive gauge factors ( approximately 600 to 1000) under axial strains. Metallic nanotubes exhibit much weaker but nonzero sensitivity. Comparison between experiments and theoretical predictions and potential applications of nanotube electromechanical systems for physical sensors (e.g., strain gauges, pressure sensors, etc.) are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Hooke's Law
Mechanical Characteristics of Steel
The tension test is fundamental for determining tensile strength. In this test, a steel specimen is stretched using a gripping device until it breaks. The data collected during this test are used to...
Stress-Strain Diagram - Ductile Materials

