LASER-BASED SYNTHESIS, DIAGNOSTICS, AND CONTROL OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND NANOHORNS FOR COMPOSITES AND BIOLOGICAL NANOVECTORS.

The controlled synthesis of nanoparticles and nanotubes utilizing lasers is described with applications in multifunctional composites and biological nanovectors. Lasers offer unique advantages for the synthesis of novel nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes and singlewalled carbon nanohorns, which form naturally within the laser vaporization plume under certain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]