Controlling carbon nanotube growth to determine their behaviour as either semi-conductors or metals

Here is an article about a recent finding by scientists at Purdue University and Honda Research Institute that may help scientists in future on how the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes can possibly be determined during their synthesis.

http://www.physorg.com/news173626785.html

By observing the formation of nanotubes through TEM, scientists are trying to establish the relationship between the conditions of nanotube growth (such as the size and shape of the nano-catalyst used and the role of the inert carrier gas) and the conductive properties of the nanotubes.