Recently in Carbon Nanotubes Category

Of interest to our readers is the following from Northwestern University: True properties of carbon nanotubes measured

"Carbon nanotubes' atomic structure should, in theory, give them mechanical and electrical properties far superior to most common materials. Unfortunately, theory and experiments have failed to converge on the true mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. Northwestern University researchers recently made the first experimental measurements of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes that directly correspond to the theoretical predictions. They used a nanoscale material testing system based on MEMS technology."

Recently Tom Strictland of the Clean Technologies Corporation called me and left a message basically saying that their solid Carbon NanoSphere Chains might be useful for the Space Elevator. Not being an expert on nanomaterial I'll leave it up to the experts to comment on this. Some information on their Carbon NanoSphere Chains is available online.

Skip Rung of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) wrote an interesting article today in Nanotechnology Now about how to make nanomanufacturing lean and green with a mention about materials for a space elevator. Here's an excerpt:

"Nanotechnology (which mostly means nanomaterials) has its own related issues. I heard a presentation today (a good one) by a company that produces or is developing grades of carbon nanotubes ranging from $50/g (for a somewhat mixed grade of material with residual catalyst impurities) to $200,000/gram for the ultimate in selectivity and purity. It is somewhat doubtful that the space elevator cable can afford the former price, but not doubtful at all that the higher figure is out of the question. Those familiar with the fabrication details of nanomaterials know that achieving high purity and uniformity is difficult and expensive."

I found this over at KurzweilAI.net.

MIT researchers have identified a class of chemical molecules that preserve the metallic properties of carbon nanotubes and their near-perfect ability to conduct electricity with little resistance.

Using these molecules as handles could overcome fabrication problems and lend the nanotubes new properties for a host of potential applications as detectors, sensors or components in novel optoelectronics.

Today's announcement of a licensing agreement between the Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carbon Designs, Inc. (CDI) would appear to be a sign that the commercial production of carbon nanotubes is close at hand.

The deal, one of the largest technology transfers at Los Alamos, would see CDI initially invest $2 million. The joint effort would develop fibers expected that would be many times stronger than any current engineering materials. Of course the deal has far reaching implacations. The direct result of the aggreement could see mass production of carbon nanotubes for a future space elevator. Dr. Brad Edwards the President of CDI can be characterized as the modern father of the space elevator concept.

This science update from Nature details how scientists from the University of Cambridge were able to use an environmentally friendly method to create long rope-like fibres from nanotubes.