Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Futuristic 'Smart' Yarns from Carbon Nanotubes

Posted by Hemos on from the the-warmest-sweaters-ever dept.

neutron_p writes "Scientists at The UTD NanoTech Institute achieved a major technological breakthrough by spinning multi-walled carbon nanotube yarns that are strong, tough and extremely flexible, and are both electrically and thermally conducting. Among other things, the futuristic yarns could result in 'smart' clothing that stores electricity, provides ballistic protection and adjusts temperature and porosity to provide greater comfort. The breakthrough, made possible by, in effect, downsizing ancient technology used for wool and cotton spinning to the nanoscale, resulted from an unusual collaboration involving nanotechnologists and experts in wool spinning."

17 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. Knitting by Ironsides · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean that grandma can now knit me a bullet proof vest?

    --
    Fly me to the moon Let me sing among those stars Let me see what spring is like On jupiter and mars
    1. Re:Knitting by oexeo · · Score: 5, Funny

      > Does this mean that grandma can now knit me a bullet proof vest?

      If your grandma is a scientist working in Nano technology, yes.

  2. I just upgraded my loom last month ... by 93,000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    and now they come out with this. I knew I should have waited.

    --
    Sweet informative mod.
  3. Futuristic 'Smart' Yarns by sw149 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lets see it will be silver, one piece and one size fits all.

    WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

    1. Re:Futuristic 'Smart' Yarns by zx75 · · Score: 4, Funny

      And somehow seem strangely baggy on overweight men, yet still fit skin tight on a thin, shapely female form.

      --
      This is not a sig.
  4. First application likely to be... by Ingolfke · · Score: 4, Funny

    the chastity thong, a secure impenetrable and fashionable undergarment for young ladies concerned about fashion, and fathers concerned about young men.

    1. Re:First application likely to be... by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 4, Funny

      the chastity thong

      Ya know, you don't have to remove a thong for sex, right?

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    2. Re:First application likely to be... by Surt · · Score: 5, Funny

      You do if it's an electricity storing smart thong that shocks to death anyone other than the daughter who touches it.

      --
      "Who is the Journal of Quantum Physics going to believe?" --Stephen Hawking
  5. Yes, but... by elid · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...does it repel stains?

  6. Due to my Font by Greyfox · · Score: 4, Funny

    I first read this as "Futuristic Smart Yams from Carbon Nanotubes." If ever any overlords ever needed welcoming, it'd be Smart Yam overlords. I wouldn't have to be the one to explain about Thanksgivings past. Hopefully they wouldn't demand to eat one human for every yam ever consumed...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  7. obSimpsons by Rorschach1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new itchy sweater-wearing overlords.

  8. Not smart enough. by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is this "smart" yarn smart enough to stop people from wearing lime green paisley sweaters?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  9. After cyberpunk, biopunk and nanopunk... by quamaretto · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comes textile-punk, to be featured in Neal Stephenson's upcoming book, Sweater Crash. Meanwhile, the Wachowski brothers have a new movie in the making about about a futuristic society where all of humanity is entrapped in a large, controlling single piece of nano-fabric. Of course, this was all done 50 years ago in an Asimov book.

    --
    *is run over by rotten tomatoes*
  10. Body armor, and other thoughts by RealProgrammer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope it comes with a grounding strap.

    I wonder if this would be a good material for microsurgical sutures.

    And now, we can construct the world's smallest violin for Ron Artest.

    --
    sigs, as if you care.
  11. Incredible? by John+Whorfin · · Score: 3, Funny

    So this is what the Incredable's suits are made out of... isn't it daaaaaahling!

  12. ...How did that go again? by DuckDuckBOOM! · · Score: 3, Funny
    Among other things, the futuristic yarns could result in 'smart' clothing that stores electricity...

    Okay, if the handkerchief's in the left pocket s/he's AC, and the right pocket for DC...or was it the other way around?...

    [BZZZAP!]

    Damn.

    --
    Life is like surrealism: if you have to have it explained to you, you can't afford it.
  13. Re:Has to be said ... by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Funny

    If yams can cook, so can stew.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"