Part II
When Iijima reported his carbon nanotubes, many people working on C60 and its larger relatives (collectively called fullerenes) quickly switched their focus to these tiny filaments instead. At Rice, Smalley soon decided that the future lay with nanotubes. The, simple fact was that, as theorists got to work predicting the properties that nanotubes should posses, it became clear that they would do many more interesting things besides fullerenes.
For one thing, they should be the strongest of all synthetic fibers. In the walls of carbon nanotubes, the carbon atoms are arranged just as they are in graphite: they form hexagons linked by their edges into vast sheets. But whereas in graphite the sheets are flat, in nanotubes they are curled up into cylinders. By 1993, the many- layered tubes had given way to single- walled versions, whose properties were much easier to predict. Because the bonds between the atoms are very strong and there are no loose edges where cracks could start, the nanotubes are both strong and stiff. Smalley has conjectured that in the future carbon nanotubes could provide the means to realize a speculative project proposed by the science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke: a space platform above the planet's atmosphere tethered to the ground by strong fibers and accessible by elevator.
Graphite can conduct electricity, albeit rather poorly, and so researchers wondered whether carbon nanotubes (whose atomic structure is more perfect than that of graphite) might do better. The rows of carbon hexagons wind around the walls in spirals, and calculations suggested that the conductivity of the tubes depends on the 'pitch' of this helical structure. Some nanotubes may conduct as well as metal wires, while others might be semiconducting, more like silicon. This suggested the exciting possibility that the tubes could act as wires for electronic circuitry, or even that suitable combinations of conducting and semiconducting tubes might function as electrical devices such as transistors. Less than ten years after the discovery of nanotubes, these dreams are now taking shape.
I.New words:
filament – нитка розжарення row – ряд
to predict – передвіщати conductivity – провідність
loose – вільний to depend on – залежати від
crack – щілина, тріщина helical - спіральний
to conjecture – допускати silicon – кремній
tether – прив’язувати circuitry – кругообіжність
accessible – доступний, досяжний device – прилад
albeit – хоча
Exercises. Grammar: The Past Participle. Revision
II.Translate the following words and expressions
Collectively called; to switch one’s focus; for one thing; linked by; the many layered tubes; much easier, the science fiction writer; rather poorly; as well as.
III.Choose the correct words and fill in the blanks
1.Many people switched their ____ to these tiny filaments.
a) attitude b) attention c) altitude
2.The ____ between the aboms are very strong.
a) tips b) edges c) bonds
3.A space platform above the planet’s atmosphere ____ to the ground by strong fibers.
a) painted b) fastened c) conducted
4.Graphite can conduct electricity, ____ rather poorly.
a) although b) besides c) while
IV.Translate the following word-combinations with the Participle II into Ukrainian
a)chips designed for use in electronic systems; a semiconductor amplifier proposed by W.Shoskley; a wafer of silicon spoken about is heated; uniformity of structure relied upon is;
b)when cooled the metal provides; when etched the silicon dioxide demands; when measuring the temperature he used; this reaction when completed.
V.Put as many questions to the text as possible.
VI.Retell this text using your questions as a plan.