World's strongest nanowires 'near perfect materials' - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jolinar of malkshor · 12-19-2006, 05:14 PM

Scientists say they have made the world's strongest nanowire, reaching the theoretical limits of what they had designed.
The nanowire, which is about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair, is so strong it could support 16 African elephants if it were scaled up to the size of a child's finger, says associate professor John.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...tech-nano.html

Maybe they will use this material to make the star elevator.

Barnes · 12-19-2006, 07:01 PM

What's the star elevator?

Fozzie_DeBear · 12-19-2006, 07:37 PM

Its Jolinar's weekend project

underGRADFlame · 12-19-2006, 07:50 PM

Space Elevator

jolinar of malkshor · 12-19-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Space Elevator

That's what I ment.

Barnes · 12-19-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

That's what I ment.

What has two thumbs and barfs in the space elevator? This guy!

I feel nauseous in Banker's Hall elevators. Cool idea though.

Phanuthier · 12-20-2006, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

That's what I ment.

Nope. This makes use of semiconductor and/or optical properties (Ge).

The Theory of the Space Elevator became a reality with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTS), see Brad Edward 1992 (?). CNTs give you 4 times the tensile strength you need for the SE, but thats only if you can connect them. CNTs have amazing electrical and mechanical properties, but because you can't align them, scientists haven't been able to maximize the potential of CNTs. The CNTs you currently see in hockey sticks and golf clubs are CNTs dissolved in some sort of strong graphite or carbon sheet. However, the breakout for CNTs will come when you can align them.

Another challenge for the SE ribbon is that CNTs will be oxidized by the ozone layer; currently, there is a competition held every year by NASA and the Spaceward Foundation and X-PRIZE CUP for teams to compete in the ribbon/cable competition (strength) and power beaming challenge (design the optically powered SE climber).

There is some research being done at the UofA, www.ece.ualberta.ca/~elevator Its worth checking out. Some of you might recognize a little nerd in that picture

(PS: I think some of you / your companies should make a donation, I hear they need money)

jolinar of malkshor · 12-20-2006, 01:22 AM

Thanks for the info Bill Nye....it is neat stuff.

Phanuthier · 12-20-2006, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Thanks for the info Bill Nye....it is neat stuff.

No fight in you like the last thread?

You just keep on stumbling on things that are right down my alley. I got to talk to (one of the) head R&D guy at Spectrolabs the other day (the company that did the 40% solar cells) apperently they are only for a 2mmx2mm cross section of the concentrator sell) so they're making ways by proof of concept, but there's still work to be done for multi-junction cells.

jolinar of malkshor · 12-20-2006, 01:59 AM

How long do you think it will take for us to change from incandecent bulbs to LED bulbs? We could sure save a lot of energy.

Phanuthier · 12-20-2006, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

How long do you think it will take for us to change from incandecent bulbs to LED bulbs? We could sure save a lot of energy.

As soon as it gets cheap

getbak · 12-20-2006, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

How long do you think it will take for us to change from incandecent bulbs to LED bulbs? We could sure save a lot of energy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

As soon as it gets cheap

What are you talking about? It's already cheap: http://www.amazon.com/150-LED-Light-...&s=home-garden

Only $80US for a light bulb? They're practically giving them away.

Kipru · 12-20-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Another challenge for the SE ribbon is that CNTs will be oxidized by the ozone layer; currently, there is a competition held every year by NASA and the Spaceward Foundation and X-PRIZE CUP for teams to compete in the ribbon/cable competition (strength) and power beaming challenge (design the optically powered SE climber).

I wonder if they have concidered using Boron Nitride Nanotubes. As far as i know, they don't oxide in ozone layer, are almost as strong as CNT's. Another great thing in BNNTs is that they are non toxic. Currently the research of BNNTs is focused to just basics because they are so new material. But in the future we may see them in Hydrogen Fuel cells or Hydrogen storage chambers.

BTW, Boron Nitride in its cubic form is the only material that can scratch diamond.

And i thought that 30 page report on BN was completely useless, but at least i could share some information about it in a .....hockey board?????

I think you can find Carbon nanotubes in Kipper stick.

Is there any other firm that makes nano-reinforced hocky sticks than http://www.montrealhockey.com/, company owned by certain Teppo Numminen?

Bill Bumface · 12-20-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

As soon as it gets cheap

I thought a big issue with LED lighting was acheiving the correct colour. Have they gotten around this?

Azure · 12-20-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I thought a big issue with LED lighting was acheiving the correct colour. Have they gotten around this?

I thought the problem with LED lights was its concentration to a certain area. For example...you can't make a spotlight out of LED lights...unless they figured something out.