Non‐carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Nanotube formation is not limited to carbon, and in fact seems to be a general feature of layered materials. The classes of new nanotubes that have been synthesized, e.g., boron‐nitride‐containing compounds and transition‐metal dichalcogenides, are briefly reviewed. Theoretical predictions, such as the type II BC2N nanocoil, the smallest possible solenoid, point to enticing research and application opportunities, for example miniature transformers and magnetic storage or on‐nanotube devices (pn junctions, etc.).