New Carbon-based Paper Stronger Than Nanotubes

LynnwoodRooster writes "Science Magazine reports that a group from Northwestern University in Illinois has a new process for creating carbon-based paper that's stronger than nanotubes, and incredibly easy to use to make sheets of any desired sizes. Huge implications for aircraft, automobiles, and the ever-sought-after space elevator?"

Comments

Water

[l33t.g33k]

TFA states that water is the "kryptonite" of the superstrong paper. Doesn't that kill its practicality in things like planes and automobiles? If it rains, then you could have a major catastrophe on your hands...

Re:Water

[DynaSoar]

> It's possible that it could be impregnated with some sort of resin, making it more of a carbon fiber, just a ton stronger .

That's the usual practice for making composites for structures and vehicles. Epoxy is the resin of choice. Using epoxy with this material as opposed to woven carbon material will result in very little weight difference, but if this stuff will be that much cheaper, great. Here's my source for making rocket parts; check the prices per yard: http://www.aerosleeves.com/Carbon_Fiber_Biaxial_Sl eeving_p/cf-slv.htm
There's also a recurring shortage andd thus price fluctuations due to supply problems with the raw fiber. A new material with roughly the same characteristics but without the supply problems would be very nice too.

Epoxy would also make them fairly water resistant after curing. Topping that with acrylic completes that job and makes for a pretty finish too. That doesn't solve the manufacturing problem. I hope they come up with a solution (har...) that's not an environment unfriendly solvent.

Coat it in Teflon!

[CrazyDuke]

The sheets remain stable when exposed to air, says Ruoff, but immersing them in water slowly loosens the bonds. Also, says materials scientist Boris Yakobson of Rice University in Houston, Texas, because water is so common as either liquid as rain or vapor as humidity, it will likely affect graphene sheets exposed to the environment in the long run if the material can't be protected from water's effects.

Coat it in teflon. Teflon stretches very easily and is water tight.

140MPa is similar to brass, not nanotubes

[viking80]

The tensile strength is about 140 MPa according to TFA. This is similar to brass and far below carbon nanotubes at 63 GPa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength

Re:If only we had it a decade ago

[flewp]

Or, they could have read the article to find out they could just soak it in water.

Re:I wonder how many /.ers...

[Migraineman]

My wife still keeps a typewriter ... "just in case." I'm not sure what she's preparing for, as the ribbon is certainly dried out, so typing is not the reason. Perhaps she could brandish it in a threatening manner should the need arise. The typewriter has been in a box for at least the last 10 years. I believe there's a box of carbon paper inserts to go with it. I gotta remember to shuttle that crap to the dump when she's not looking.

I wonder if anyone remembers those wonderful blue Mimeograph machines? I worked for a summer making copies on an ammonia-based Blu-Ray diazo copier machine. That smell will never leave me ...

Another Use

[DynaSoar]

Cheap, disposable, puncture resistant gloves for short term handling of biohazardous materials, particularly used syringe needles. Those would better protect health care workers from things like hepatitis C. Latex protects against the virus, but needles go right through it. Hep C treatment is painful, nauseating, fatiguing, causes depression and rage outbursts, makes your hair fall out, is very expensive (alpha interferon + ribavirin; around US$10,000: http://www.hepnet.com/hepc/DDW99/HCVSGP/wong.html) and is depressingly ineffective against the primary genome of that virus that's found in the US. Since hep C usually has few symptoms if any outwardly until very advanced, infected health care workers can spread the disease unknowingly. One layer of this with latex coating would save some lives, not to mention a lot of money for treatment. That savings would make up for the development costs.

Electrical properties

[Mal-2]

Is this any better than plain old graphite for electrical conductivity, and more like pure graphene? If so, it could be very useful in places that won't get wet (which would include most existing electrical applications). It would be more useful still if it cold be applied dry with something like a pencil, then the solvent (which could still be water) would be applied. This would make home-brewed printed circuit boards much simpler and much less hazardous to create. No more resist masks and acid dipping.

Mal-2

foretold by William Gibson in "Virtual Light"

[spage]

Under its coat of spray-on imitation rust and an artful bandaging of silver duct-tape, the geometry of the paper-cored, carbon-wrapped frame makes Chevette's thighs tremble. There's a little double zik as the particle-brakes let go, then she's up and on it.

(Chevette the bike messenger is a precursor to Jessica Alba's Max in Dark Angel.

Leave it to the guy from Houston to point out:

[Minstrel Boy]

"Also, says materials scientist Boris Yakobson of Rice University in Houston, Texas, because water is so common as either liquid as rain or vapor as humidity, it will likely affect graphene sheets exposed to the environment in the long run if the material can't be protected from water's effects."

LMAO

KeS

Moisture

[Mark_MF-WN]

Anyone else thinking "spacecraft"? As I understand it, there's not much moisture in space. This graphene-oxide paper might not be a suitable hull material, but it could be very useful for internal structure.