[Vo]:Cold Atoms and Nanotubes Come Together in an Atomic 'Black Hole'

Interesting article in Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100406125716.htm

Re: [Vo]:Cold Atoms and Nanotubes Come Together in an Atomic 'Black Hole'

The article says: The electron eventually gets sucked into the nanotube via quantum tunneling, causing its companion ion to shoot away -- repelled by the strong charge of the 300-volt nanotube -- at a speed of roughly 26 kilometers per second, or 59,000 miles per hour. I wonder if that

RE: [Vo]:Cold Atoms and Nanotubes Come Together in an Atomic 'Black Hole'

Absurd. Black hole? Is this more April Fool's fare? Why would a cold neutral atom be attracted to a charged nanotube in the first place? If it is a near-field thing, then why don't they say so? What does the nanotube add? Wouldn't the electron tunnel into any conductor under the same