Recently, Tom on behalf of and assistant researcher of the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Advanced Carbon Materials Research Department, PhD Yin Lee long researcher into Huiming Liu Chang's guidance, and the metal of the solid atoms, like the Ma Xiuliang Fellow of the Research Department, Hanguo Cheng Jun Hall University Young Hee Lee Professor of cooperation, design and preparation of a carbon nanotube conduit clamp of the metal atom chain device, the metal atom chain carbon nanotubes connected to provide a new way for the assembly of the metal atom chain.

The metal atom chain is the only one to several rows of metal atoms form one-dimensional structure. Theoretical and experimental studies have shown that the metal atom chain has a unique quantum teleportation and quantum magnetoresistance is expected to nanoelectronic devices and electromagnetic devices. The scanning tunneling microscope, the mechanical control to change the connection, prepared by methods such as electrodeposition of the metal atom chain is usually hanging between the macroscopic scale electrodes, which makes the metal atom chain and other nanostructures and devices, connectivity, integration very difficult.

Institute of Metal researchers use carbon nanotubes nano-scale hollow luminal filling and carrying metal nanorods and protect is oxidized. And then by electron beam irradiation in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selective stripping coated metal nanorods carbon layer, and using the tensile stress imposed by the thermal stress of the sample partial or STM-TEM sample stage in situ preparation of carbon nanotube clamping the metal atom chain. Use of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the first principle calculation of the iron atoms in the chain formation process, the surface can be driven along the (110) surface of the slip and kink is an important mechanism of its formation. In situ study of the electronic transport properties of carbon nanotube clamping device of the iron atom chain, found that the conductance was quantized; first principles method to study the electronic structure of carbon nanotube clamping the metal atom chain, found that both the formation of solid covalent bond, iron atom chain with semi-metallic properties. These results suggest that, together with the carbon nanotube key, connection, metal atom chain maintained its unique physical properties. Preparation of carbon nanotube clamping the iron atom chain ideas extended to other metals, the successful preparation of carbon nanotube clamping FeNi alloy atomic chain and the platinum atom chain device.

Preparation and integration of the metal atom chain, the study provides a new idea, the preparation of carbon nanotube clamping metal atom chain is expected to nanoelectronic and spintronic devices. At the same time, the study showed that, because of the unique quasi-one-dimensional tubular structure, excellent electrical, mechanical properties and good structural stability, carbon nanotubes is expected as nanoscale electric hydraulic conductivity materials, nanostructures and Construction of devices play an important role. Research papers have been published in the recently published U.S. National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).