# Cheap Nanotubes Are Here! (Space May Be Next) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 10, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393 "2003-07-10T03:57:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/1 "2003-07-10T03:57:42Z")
Right now, [Motorola’s only talking about cheap big screen TVs](http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,1958,2981_2436_23,00.html). > [@](#): > > Motorola’s nano emissive display approach to displays could enable low cost, flat panel wall-mounted television, greater than 50“ diagonal, and just one inch deep to become a reality in the not too distant future. The technology also could be used for much larger displays, such as those used in billboard advertising or sporting events. BUT, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the [space elevator](http://www.highliftsystems.com/) has been a lack of cheap methods of making nanotubes which would be used extensively in the construction of the elevator. It looks like Motorola might have cracked it! IAC, we could be seeing TVs with the technology very shortly. > [@](#): > > Dubbed “nano emissive display” (NED), the technology enables manufacturers to design large flat panel displays that exceed the image quality characteristics of plasma and LCD screens at a lower cost. Motorola currently is in discussions with electronics manufacturers in Europe and Asia to license the technology for commercialization. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/2 "2003-07-10T04:14:31Z")
Re: space elevator. Nanotubes aren’t the toughie here. It’s figuring out how to shrink people down so they can fit in those tiny, tiny, tiny, tubes. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/3 "2003-07-10T04:18:35Z")
Woohoo! Cheap nanotubes are here! Finally! I’ve been saying for years, “What this country really needs are cheap nanotubes.” None of this expensive nanotubes bosh. It’s the cheap ones that’ll really kick this country in the ass and get it moving! What’s a nanotube? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/4 "2003-07-10T04:26:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*What’s a nanotube? \*\* It’s carbon atoms arranged in a tube shape. It’s another extension of buckminsterfullerenes (aka “buckyballs”). More info can be found [here.](http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/nanotube.html) ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/5 "2003-07-10T04:30:56Z")
All I can say is, Shweet. Go nanotubes! ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/6 "2003-07-10T05:01:50Z")
Super cool. I would love to be working in nano-technology. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/7 "2003-07-10T05:37:57Z")
Soon, nanotechnology will be working in you! ---
**Author:** ![Zorro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ad7895/32.png) [@Zorro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zorro)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/8 "2003-07-10T13:23:12Z")
It’s an interesting reversal in how technology is developed. We spent decades trying to kick-start the space age, but eventually dropped that. However, it did leave us with space blankets, communications satellites and consumer electronics. Which is a bit of a shame really, because mobile phones are all very nice, but they’re not anything like as inspiring as “boldly going where no man has gone before”. Now, the mobile phone guys are giving us the technology to cheaply go where we’ve been before at great expense. Unfortunately, they’ll probably just use space elevators to launch more damned mobile phone satellites and to build the first McDonalds, Starbucks and Club Med on the Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/9 "2003-07-10T13:56:34Z")
mmmm Club Tranq … I am there already. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/10 "2003-07-10T14:17:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zorro \* > \*\*It’s an interesting reversal in how technology is developed. We spent decades trying to kick-start the space age, but eventually dropped that. However, it did leave us with space blankets, communications satellites and consumer electronics. Which is a bit of a shame really, because mobile phones are all very nice, but they’re not anything like as inspiring as “boldly going where no man has gone before”. > > Now, the mobile phone guys are giving us the technology to cheaply go where we’ve been before at great expense. Unfortunately, they’ll probably just use space elevators to launch more damned mobile phone satellites and to build the first McDonalds, Starbucks and Club Med on the Moon. \*\* If that’s what it takes then tattoo the Golden Arches on my forehead and let’s get it done! ---
**Author:** ![Zorro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ad7895/32.png) [@Zorro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zorro)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/11 "2003-07-10T14:25:53Z")
Well I’m all in favour of doing stuff just because we can and because it’s cool, but if the cost of it is to have rolling 3G mobile phone adverts projected onto the Moon then it’s just not worth it. Besides, I like the Moon ([http://www.rathergood.com/moon\_song/](http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/)). ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/12 "2003-07-10T14:40:05Z")
Must…not…suggest…band name… ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/13 "2003-07-10T14:54:23Z")
But can we make monofilament wires a few inches long with these cheap nanotubes? Have they enough tensile strength to finally build a cheese knife that really works, or do I still need to wait for a portable laser cheese knife. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/14 "2003-07-10T15:21:12Z")
Ooh, monofilament wires. I want to be able to lop peoples’ heads off with my shoe laces… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/15 "2003-07-10T15:54:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless \* > \*\*…a portable laser cheese knife. \*\* The new Portable Laser Cheese Processing System, crisps as it cuts as it melts, from Ronco. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/16 "2003-07-10T15:56:44Z")
I thought yuou were talking about these nanotube yarns. [Carbon yarn](http://pubs.acs.org/cen/topstory/8043/8043notw7.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cobalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8491ac/32.png) [@Cobalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cobalt)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/17 "2003-07-10T16:02:54Z")
The ability to make nanotubes on the order of an inch long has been around for a year, I believe. I think some groups are even starting to get half-foot or longer nanotubes. We’re still a **far** way away, though, from the stuff that would be needed to get into space – multi-kilometer single-walled nanotubes. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/18 "2003-07-10T16:04:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > **BUT, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the [space elevator](http://www.highliftsystems.com/) has been a lack of cheap methods of making nanotubes which would be used extensively in the construction of the elevator. It looks like Motorola might have cracked it!** Actually, the real problem in building anything bigger than a micron out of carbon nanotubes is not making enough of them, but figuring out how to weave them all together. Imagine trying to weave a rope fifty feet in diameter out of a zillion two inch segments of human hair. It’s also not clear how the tensile strength of individual nanotubes will scale when you make ropes out of them. So, for now, you’re still stuck on this godforsaken rock. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/19 "2003-07-11T05:45:42Z")
You might be right, **Giraffe** , but last I heard (and it’s been a while since I’ve paid much attention to nanotubes) was that it was difficult to produce them in mass quantities cheaply, and the resultant mixture was going to be chock full of carbon in various other forms as well as nanotubes. So, if Motorola’s found a way to mass produce nanotubes exclusively and at a low cost, this _might_ get the space elevator here sooner. I sent an e-mail to the folks at Highlift Systems asking them about it. If I hear anything from them, I’ll post it. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/20 "2003-10-03T03:54:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*Actually, the real problem in building anything bigger than a micron out of carbon nanotubes is not making enough of them, but figuring out how to weave them all together. Imagine trying to weave a rope fifty feet in diameter out of a zillion two inch segments of human hair. It’s also not clear how the tensile strength of individual nanotubes will scale when you make ropes out of them. > > So, for now, you’re still stuck on this godforsaken rock. 🙂 \*\* A bump, because I just found [this](http://www.spacedaily.com/news/future-01f.html) article which answers the question of weaving the tubes into a rope. > [@](#): > > What about the problem of length? Things might not be too bad as they stand. Nanotubes have a tendency to “rope up”, or stick together side by side, and the cohesive forces between them seem strong. Note that this article **predates** Motorola’s announcement, so the price quoted in the article for nanotubes is higher than what Motorola’s talking about making them available for. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393.md?page=2)