# 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:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cobalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8491ac/32.png) [@Cobalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cobalt)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/21 "2003-10-04T02:26:09Z")
I wanted to post a correction to my earlier post about requiring multi-kilometer long nanotubes in order to build a space elevator. If you can improve the interfacial shear strength between short nanotubes and a composite matrix material, then you could build a space elevator out of a nanotube composite (because the nanotubes would “appear” to be continuous). We’re not there yet, but research is certainly progressing. I’ve heard that some group has made a nanotube composite material which is (2x ?) stronger than Kevlar. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/22 "2003-10-30T23:54:16Z")
[NASA just held a conference on nanotechnology.](http://www.nasatech.com/NEWS/Jul03/nano_071403.html) That had some [pretty big companies attending.](http://www.nasatech.com/nano/) So keep your fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/23 "2005-11-02T02:07:44Z")
I can’t find it on the [event site](http://www.techbriefs.com/nano/index.html), but according to the email from NASA I got, Motorola’s scheduled to unveil a TV using the technology. > [@](#): > > Optimized for a large-screen, high-definition TV (HDTV) that is less than > one inch thick, the Motorola Labs’ 5-inch prototype display uses NED > technology, a scalable method of growing carbon nanotubes directly on glass > to create a design that excels at emitting electrons. Motorola estimates > the manufactured cost for a 40-inch NED panel could be less than $400. ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/24 "2005-11-02T04:35:08Z")
> [@slortar](#): > > Ooh, monofilament wires. I want to be able to lop peoples’ heads off with my shoe laces… Ah, you mean a [Dorothy system!](http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20010317.html) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/25 "2005-11-02T14:19:50Z")
> [@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. 🙂 I posted a thread about [this](http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/003330.html) a while back. Nanotube ribbons. Long as you want 'em. \_A team of researcher from the University of Texas, Dallas, and Australia’s CSIRO has come up with a way to make strong, stable macroscale sheets and ribbons of multiwall nanotubes at a rate of seven meters per minute._\ ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/26 "2005-11-02T17:17:54Z")
Seriously…where can one buy stock in nanotube technology? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393/27 "2005-11-02T17:54:45Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Seriously…where can one buy stock in nanotube technology? I’ve been wondering this as well. I think it’s going to hit soon, and it’ll hit hard- like computers, this technology will influence every aspect of our lives. However, I don’t think there’s any one company that’s doing this stuff just yet- or, at least, no likely company to invest money into. I keep hoping, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-nanotubes-are-here-space-may-be-next/187393.md?page=1)