Tiny tubes, big riddles

Carbon cylinders’ odd traits continue to stump scientists

Moses didn’t need a physics degree to know something was afoot when that woody bush burned and burned but was not consumed. Set fire to carbon — whether shrubbery, paper or charcoal briquettes — and it burns until nothing’s left but carbon dioxide and water vapor. That’s a fundamental of carbon chemistry.

Nearly 20 years after their discovery, nanosized tubes made of carbon exhibit behaviors that still surprise scientists.