Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT)

Biomagnetism is a broad and exciting new area in research and technology.  Andra and Nowak (1998) have discussed the many applications of magnetism in the medical field in instrumentation, cell separation, wound treatment and neuromagnetism.  Carbon nanotubes have been a leading topic of research since their discovery in the early 1990's due to their small size and superior mechanical and electrical properties.  Saito et al. (1999) explains the solid-state physics that leads to these properities.  In many methods, magnetic metals are used as a catalyst in carbon nanotube growth.  A magnetic nanoparticle of Fe, Ni, or Co is then found in the end of these nanotubes after the growth process is complete (Fig 1). 

Figure 1. Nanotube growth