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Nanotubes Start to Show their Promise

Rei writes "Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed the highest quality nanotube sheets to date (the team previously set strength records with polymer-nanotube composites). Producable at a rate comparable to commercial wool spinning, the transparent cloth has exceedingly high conductivity, flexibility, has huge surface area to volume ratios, can potentially be made into very effective OLEDs and thin-film photovoltaic cells, and outperforms even our best bulk materials (such as Mylar and Kevlar) at strength normalized to weight. It strongly absorbs microwaves for localized heating (leading to applications in seamless microwave welding of sections and even windshield warming), changes conductivity little over a wide temperature range (very useful in sensors), and is expected to be used in commercial applications very soon. The research should even be expandable to artificial muscles! To head people off, while the exact tensile strength is not listed, it sounds like it is still far from the >100 GPa needed for a space elevator. Anyways, here's to process advancements!"

11 of 329 comments (clear)

  1. Hurm... by ErikZ · · Score: 5, Funny


    Oh good. I wonder how much it will cost for a packet of laser printer paper made of this stuff?

    I could use something snazzy for my resume.

    --
    Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
    1. Re:Hurm... by PerlDudeXL · · Score: 5, Funny

      This type of paper will require nano-tube based ink/toner.
      of course, the ink will be the most expensive type of fluid with built-in DRM!

    2. Re:Hurm... by Morky · · Score: 5, Funny

      Marcy, come in here please. I just severed my hand with this young man's resume. Get him in here! I like his moxie!

  2. Does this mean? by mikeophile · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can soon have a solar powered bulletproof jacket that enhances my strength, protects me from cell phone emissions, and displays DVDs?

  3. flexible screens..? by welshwaterloo · · Score: 5, Funny
    The research should even be expandable to artificial muscles!

    Or, from the article, and perhaps of more interest to us:
      "flexible computer screens that could be rolled into a sack"

    Haven't we been promised this for years? I wanna roll up my computer screen & carry it into my flying car!

  4. Oh, wonderous progress! by rocjoe71 · · Score: 5, Funny
    It strongly absorbs microwaves

    Super, I envision the day where I can replace my tin-foil hat with a nanotube beret.

    --
    Height: 38U, Weight: 0 Newtons, Eyes: #0000FF, OS: Gray Matter 1.0 (Alpha)
  5. Re:Miracle by JimmehAH · · Score: 5, Funny

    it cures most deceases

    Just like Jesus!

  6. Space elevator time... by Morky · · Score: 4, Funny
    Just keep it out of my neighborhood, please:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stoptheelevator/

  7. the key ingredient to this all: by DohnJoe · · Score: 5, Funny

    by teasing nanotubes away from one side of a forest and attaching them to a strip of sticky tape

    again proof that duct tape can make anything work!
    Soon we will have duct tape made out of this nanotubes, after that, who knows or even dares to dream!!!

  8. Re:About time. by Bearpaw · · Score: 4, Funny
    Super-cheap nanotubes? About fucking time. We've been hearing about nanotubes for years, their possible use in computers, all their various other properties... It certainly took them long enough to discover a cheap way to make them.

    Of course, if you had been part of the effort, it would've happened twice as fast. But you obviously had other priorities, and I'm sure I speak for all of us here when I express my deep appreciation for taking a little of your precious time to share your insight with Slashdot.

  9. Re:Good bye disposables by Hatta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally, a pair of underpants that won't wear out!

    Underpants wear out?

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