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Health & Science2h 11m ago

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum found that light decelerates carbon nanotubes—100,000x thinner than a hair—in water.

Ruhr University Bochum

Who
Sebastian Kruss, Marialore Sulpizi, Martina Havenith, researchers at Ruhr University Bochum
What
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum found that light decelerates carbon nanotubes—100,000x thinner than a hair—in water.
When
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:05:50 GMT · 2h 11m ago
Where
Ruhr University Bochum ·
Why
Increasing light intensity decreases the nanotubes’ movement due to a direct coupling between electrons within the nanotubes and the surrounding water molecules, a phenomenon termed quantum friction.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This discovery of light-induced quantum friction fundamentally changes our understanding of interfacial processes and highlights the active role of water, rather than a passive solvent, in nanoscale interactions.

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  1. Currently Reading2h 11m ago
    Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum found that light decelerates carbon nanotubes—100,000x thinner than a hair—in water.
  2. Health & Science2h 11m ago
    Ruhr University Bochum researchers found that light decelerates carbon nanotubes—100,000x thinner than a hair—in water, via a process called quantum friction.
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