Avouris and Heinz of Columbia University have reported on their pioneering work on the electrical and optical properties of nanoscale carbon materials. Carbon nanotubes and graphene show promise for a number of applications. One of the most exciting possibilities is that these materials could integrate electronics and optics, which could allow light to replace electricity in computers. This would allow faster calculations (since light moves far faster than electrons) and would eradicate some of today's problems with electronics, including chip-to-chip bottlenecks. Other potential applications include photovoltaics, sensors and light emitters and uses in medicine.