The image shows a silicon wafer on which carbon nanotube “forests” have been grown. Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical structures made of carbon atoms and are known for their extraordinary mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Growing carbon nanotube forests involves synthesising these nanotubes so that they stand vertically aligned, resembling a miniature forest.

The "lake" in the image likely refers to the smoother area, which is the bare silicon wafer surface. This surface appears clean and uniform, contrasting sharply with the "forest" area where the carbon nanotubes have been grown. These forests appear as the rough, textured regions, where each "tree" in the forest is an individual or bundle of carbon nanotubes standing upright.

This kind of technology has significant applications in various fields, including electronics, where carbon nanotubes are used to create more efficient transistors and sensors, energy storage and conversion devices like batteries and supercapacitors, and in composite materials to enhance strength and conductivity.

Dr Pong is currently a project scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.