The Next Revolution in Carbon Nanotube Technology

[DEV0 E30]

Buckypaper: The Next Revolution in Carbon Nanotube Technology

A technology that was developed over 20 years ago in an experiment while trying to create the same conditions in a star is just now beginning to show some light in commercial production. That technology is called “buckypaper” and it could revolutionize everything from airplanes to TV’s.



Buckypaper is made of tube-shaped carbon molecules that are 50,000 times thinner than a human hair, but has the potential to be 500 times stronger than steel. On top of being extremely strong, it conducts electricity very effectively. Because of this, it can dissipate something like a jolt of lightning with no problem, making it useful for airplane applications.

Right now buckypaper can only be made at a fraction of its potential strength, in small quantities, and at a high price. Researchers at Florida State University are working on manufacturing techniques that will increase the strength, increase the quantities, and lower the price.

Some of the upcoming applications possibilities have a lot of potential:

* As mentioned earlier, airplanes would use this material to conduct lighting and disperse heat. Airplanes will eventually made from carbon fiber because of its lightweight and strength, but unfortunately it does not conduct electricity. Buckypaper can be used in conjunction to protect the place.
* It can be used for electromagnetic shielding where various things can cause interference with electronic gear.
* It can be used as electrodes for fuel cells, super capacitors and batteries.
* It can be used for more efficient and lighter replacement for graphite sheets used in laptop computers to dissipate heat.
* The military is looking at using it for armor plating and stealth technology.
* Eventually it can hopefully be used to build vehicles like planes and cars.

This sounds like an exciting technology which we’ll definitely be following.

Oh and for all of the carbon fiber aficionados: http://www.carbonfibergear.com

[SamE30e]

They couldn't have thought of a more bad ass name than Buckypaper?
How about:
Super steel
Godpaper
Or Superstrongshit!

[Farbin Kaiber]

Thank you.

[Jon325i]

Godpaper

:)

[Jand3rson]

Damn, that's pretty cool!

First on the buckypaper hood group buy.

[Farbin Kaiber]

It's gonna be $57,468.21 each if we get ten buyers.

[shiftbmw]

Carbon nanotubes are very cool. They also have some very cool nanoelectronic implications as well as a number of other interesting uses ranging from nanometrology(for instance a sensor that can detect very small numbers of bacteria) to nanomanipulators(for instance a nanoscale tweezer).

There are also some cancer detection treatment and imaging possibilities, although quantum dots are far more prevelant in this research field. If you like carbon nanotubes, check out quantum dots as well. Crazy stuff like cell sorting, EM induced hyperthermia in targeted cancer cells(so specifically targeting cancer cells and using electromagnetics to vibrate the qd's to heat the cancer cells and kill them while leaving healthy cells in tact). Quantum dots also allow for multicolor imaging, detection when there are far fewer cancer cells(aka much earlier) than organic dyes can detect(qd is 1000x brighter than your standard organic dye used to image cancer) etc.

This stuff is worth reading if you haven't checked it out.

[Anthrax]

So........ When can we do this to annoying people? :p


It does sound almost alike.

[Kruzen]

buckpaper ftw. I love carbon nanotech.

[scabzzzz]

Carbon nanotubes are very cool. They also have some very cool nanoelectronic implications as well as a number of other interesting uses ranging from nanometrology(for instance a sensor that can detect very small numbers of bacteria) to nanomanipulators(for instance a nanoscale tweezer).

There are also some cancer detection treatment and imaging possibilities, although quantum dots are far more prevelant in this research field. If you like carbon nanotubes, check out quantum dots as well. Crazy stuff like cell sorting, EM induced hyperthermia in targeted cancer cells(so specifically targeting cancer cells and using electromagnetics to vibrate the qd's to heat the cancer cells and kill them while leaving healthy cells in tact). Quantum dots also allow for multicolor imaging, detection when there are far fewer cancer cells(aka much earlier) than organic dyes can detect(qd is 1000x brighter than your standard organic dye used to image cancer) etc.

This stuff is worth reading if you haven't checked it out.

Why dont you tell us how you really feel?

[cferb]

Damn, that's pretty cool!

First on the buckypaper hood group buy.

Number 2, but only if there's a buckypaper trunk too.

[killa325i]

Number 2, but only if there's a buckypaper trunk too.

count me in as well...maybe "buckypaper" door shells?

[shiftbmw]

Why dont you tell us how you really feel?

No