New MIT discovery prints carbon nanotubes on paper to create chemical sensors

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MIT chemists have printed carbon nanotubes on paper to create a sensor for detecting dangerous gases. The lines are printed on specially treated paper. When an electrical current is passed through the paper, the change in resistance indicates gas molecules that have bound to the printed nanotubes. The test sensor detected small traces of ammonia…

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What causes that unique rainy smell after it rains?

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It’s that distinctive earthy, musky scent that occurs after a good rain, and it has a name unbefitting its pleasant smell – “petrichor”. The petrichor odor is distinctive (and difficult to duplicate) because there are several sources/causes for the smell, including the force of the rain striking the soil and storm winds stirring everything up.…

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