Abstract: WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK: MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF AN OUTBREAK OF ZOMBIE INFECTION

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the flexibility of mathematical modelling and to prove that mathematical models can respond to a variety of biological challenges, including infectious diseases, represented here as “zombie” infections. Five different models are presented containing different variables. The first three models conclude with the fact that coexistence between humans and zombies is impossible, as this will eventually lead to the eradication of human beings. In the fourth model the existence of a cure for zombiism is taken into consideration, which enables humans to survive in low numbers. Only in the fifth model humans survive an outbreak relatively undamaged, by eradicating the zombies. Although in the different formulas different parameters were used, it becomes clear that in case of an outbreak, it has to be dealt with quickly. Despite being unrealistic, the findings of the zombie outbreak scenario can in real life be applied to examine diseases with dormant infection. As can be seen by the outcomes, mathematical modelling is very flexible.

dmm.med.ubc.ca

More on carbon nanotubes

We have talked about carbon nanotubes before, but I think they deserve a more detailed explanation, as they do an incredible job. We have already heard that carbon nanotubes are the strongest and stiffest material yet discovered, but why? What is the reason for the strength of these tiny molecules? Let us take a closer look:

Carbon nanotubes, measuring about one ten-thousandth of the thickness of human hair, are members of the fullerene structural family. A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon. They are called nanotubes because of their long, hollow structure, with their walls formed by one-atom-thick sheets of carbon, called graphene. A carbon nanotube consists either of one cylindrical graphene sheet (single-wall nanotube, SWNT) or of several cylindrical graphene sheets (multiwall nanotube, MWNT).

There are several different possibilities to form a cylinder with a graphene sheet: The sheet can be rolled along one of the symmetry axis, which gives either a zig-zag tube or an armchair tube or in a direction that differs from the axis, which forms a chiral nanotube, and its properties strongly depend on this geometry. All in all, carbon nanotubes show a unique combination of stiffness, strength and tenacity, as well as thermal and electrical conductivity. 

http://ipn2.epfl.ch

Thanks to their tubular structure and the chemical bond between the carbon atoms (known as sp2 carbon atoms) which are considered the strongest of all atomic bonds, carbon nanotubes have a measured strength 117 times higher than metal. Carbon nanotubes are made entirely of this stable bond, which makes it strong against bending and stretching. Because of the differences in the way the familiar chicken-wire patterns of carbon atoms line up across the surface, nanotubes can either act as conductors of electricity or semiconductors. The lattice-like arrangement of carbon atoms thus, makes them not only extremely strong, but gives them a high thermal and electrical conductivity, meaning that electrons and heat are able to pass through them without destroying them. Nanotubes can stretch considerably like toffee before breaking. This makes them ideal for a variety of futuristic applications, such as Conductive plastics, gas storage, batteries with improved lifetime, flat-panel displays and of course technical textiles (to name only a few of them). 

Sources:

http://www.theguardian.com/nanotechnology-world/carbon-nanotubes-tiny-revolution

http://www.org-chem.org/yuuki/nanotube/nanotube_en.html

https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/nanotechnology/carbon-nanotube-super-fabric

http://physics.aps.org/story/v2/st27

http://www.nanocyl.com/en/CNT-Expertise-Centre/Carbon-Nanotubes

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100916/Carbon-nanotubes-are-117-times-stronger-than-steel.aspx

Here some other useful links:

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/multimedia/2013/feb/18/why-are-carbon-nanotubes-so-strong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XDJC64tDR0

Rhetorical analysis: Carbon nanotubes make your suit bulletproof!

http://www.gizmag.com/bulletproof-suit-carbon-nanotube-garrison/29677/

The article presents the new and fashionable bullet-proof business suit from Garrison Bespoke. The author, Brian Dodson, explains how a normal looking suit can protect a human being from being killed and provides lot of details on the material out of which this suit consists. He states that it contains several sheets of carbon nanotube fabric in its lining. These sheets of carbon nanotubes are thinner and lighter than other materials, like Kevlar, normally used for the production of bulletproof vests. The author explains that the resistance of the suit to bullets and stabbing is due to carbon nanotubes, the strongest and stiffest materials yet discovered. There strength stems from the layers of carbon atoms. Carbon tends to form a very strong bond to itself. The more layers are used, the stronger the bond. As they tend to tighten their weave when a point force tries to "cut" them, they cause the knife to blunt and in this vein stop it from penetrating the fabric. The author tries to undermine these statements by providing the results of tests, that showed that not even a 9mm round can penetrate the different layers. 

www.dailymail.co.uk

You might want to watch this :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ8VLYGLKPM