Design of a one-way nanovalve based on carbon nanotube junction and

We report the conceptual construction of a oneway nanovalve based on a carbon nanotube intramolecular junction and a C₆₀. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the flow behavior of helium through the nanovalve as controlled by the pressure balance around C₆₀. The van der Waals interaction between C₆₀ and carbon nanotube keeps C ₆₀ close to the junction, while the pressure balance around C ₆₀ can juggle it between two adsorption sites, which in turn closes or opens the nanovalve.