Researchers have discovered a family of nature-inspired polymers that, when placed in water, spontaneously assemble into hollow crystalline nanotubes. What's more, the nanotubes can be tuned to all have the same diameter of between five and ten nanometers.
Apparently, these crystalline nanotubes can be used in computer processing units as a replacement for silicon. Might even help in making a smaller manufacturing process.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/dbnl-nnt032516.php
Paper: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/03/23/1517169113.abstract
Apparently, these crystalline nanotubes can be used in computer processing units as a replacement for silicon. Might even help in making a smaller manufacturing process.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/dbnl-nnt032516.php
Paper: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/03/23/1517169113.abstract