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.
NASA just held a conference on nanotechnology. That had some pretty big companies attending. So keep your fingers crossed.
I can’t find it on the event site, but according to the email from NASA I got, Motorola’s scheduled to unveil a TV using the technology.
Ah, you mean a Dorothy system!
I posted a thread about this a while back. Nanotube ribbons. Long as you want 'em.
<snip>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.<snip>
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.