We use the nanocarbon growth system designed and fabricated by Kevek Innovations - a start-up company that is a spin off from our research.

The furnace and flow controllers are the main expense when setting up a nanotube growth system. All groups that we know use the same $2000 furnace: Thermo Scientific Lindberg/Blue M Mini-Mite Tube Furnaces (one segment, 1“ diameter)

There are lots of options for flow controllers. We initially used cheap flow controllers (floating ball design) from Omega and found gas flow rate calibration very difficult. We now use a set of 4 digitial flow controllers from Omega that have built in calibration settings for different gases. Each flow control unit costs $1600.

When plumbing the furnace with 1/4 inch tubing (plastic or stainless steel) leak checking is critical. Any leak in the system will stop nanotube growth. We leak check using the standard “soapy-water” technique (buy a bottle from home depot). Even though the furnace operates slightly higher than 1 atmosphere, a gas leak will cause an exchange of gases between the room and the growth region. We initially used plastic 1/4 inch tube but later switched to stainless steel. If plastic lines get bumped it can lead to leaks. Stainless steel plumbing makes a more solid initial connection and is more robust.

Leak-proof seals between the quartz tube and the gas lines are tricky. The company called Atomate has one solution: http://www.atomate.com/lps/

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