DoE Halts Funding for Pure Undoped Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Research

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Energy Department has decided to stop funding future, applied research and development of pure, undoped single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for onboard hydrogen storage in vehicles.

However, DoE said last month, closely related materials such as hybrid carbon nanotubes may be eligible for further research money.

The rationale for the decision, detailed in a seven-page announcement, “is based on the previously established criterion that pure, undoped SWNTs have not met: achieving 6 weight percent hydrogen storage (on a materials basis) at close to room temperature,” the announcement said.

However, “there are certain areas of carbon nanotube research, such as metal-doped hybrid materials, that may warrant additional R&D investment,” it added.

The release, dated Dec. 12, with a link to the full Oct. 30 Go/No-Go decision statement, is on the DoE hydrogen website, http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/