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Carbon is the new black. Seriously, from airplanes to bicycles, carbon is the hottest new material. Carbon nanotubes are even cooler. These tiny 10-nanometer diameter tubes of carbon are being researched for everything from pharmaceutical drug-delivery to the space program.

Some crafty researchers in China decided to see if these nanotubes would generate sound.  Woohoo — they do. After lining up the tiny tubes to create a very thin sheet, they applied an alternating current, and, through what they think is thermoacoustics, made a sound.

Here's a video of it in action.

While applying a current to a thin metal sheet has been done before, it's very inefficient, and doesn't sound very good. The nanotubes are much more efficient.

Plus, they're flexible and transparent. This means the film could be placed over a TV screen, or be used to create clothing. Everything else is iPod-ready, why not your shirt? —Leslie Shapiro

New Scientist