[LINK] carbon nanotube threads

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

For starters, how about wires so light that they float?

--
Spinning carbon nanotubes spawns new wireless applications

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/uoc-scn030909.php

Taking technology that has been proven to grow carbon nanotubes of world-
record breaking lengths, researchers Vesselin Shanov and Mark Schulz at 
UC have now found new applications by spinning these fibers into strong 
threads. 

David Mast, also from UC , saw possibilities in the threads. 

Mast, an associate professor of physics, took a 25-micron carbon nanotube 
thread and created a dipole antenna using double-sided transparent tape 
and silver paste. He was immediately successful in transmitting radio 
signals. 
 
"It transmitted almost as well as the copper did, but at about one ten-
thousandth of the weight," says Mast.

"That was a very pleasant surprise, how easy it was to do," Mast says. 

"The hardest thing is to manipulate them. They float on ambient air." 

"Carbon thread that is a fraction of the weight of current copper 
conductors and antennas would be significant to aerospace" he adds. "On 
any aircraft, there are about several hundred pounds of copper as cables 
and wiring."

"They spin thread that is of such high quality, it opens the door to 
incredible possibilities," says Mast. "This is just one of many potential 
applications." 

--

Cheers,
Stephen