Final answer:
Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical carbon allotropes with excellent strength. They have a range of applications in electronics, materials science, and medicine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon nanotubes are carbon allotropes with a cylindrical structure. They consist of rings of sp²-hybridized carbon atoms that wrap into a tube and bond together to produce a stable structure. The walls of the tube may be one atom or multiple atoms thick. Depending on the shape, carbon nanotubes can be conductors or semiconductors, making them suitable for various applications.
Carbon nanotubes are extremely strong materials that are harder than diamond. They have many potential applications, including in the fields of electronics, materials science, and medicine. In electronics, carbon nanotubes can be used as transistors and interconnects due to their excellent electrical conductivity. In materials science, they can enhance the mechanical properties of composites. In medicine, carbon nanotubes are being studied for drug delivery systems and as imaging agents.