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wvbraun
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Link<br /><br /><i>Materials scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and chemists from Rice University report the first large-scale manufacture of fibers composed solely of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the Sept. 3 issue of the journal Science.<br /><br />This new material is a macroscopic realization of many of the amazing mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of nano-scale ideal nanotubes.<br /><br />"Throughout the relatively brief history of carbon nanotube research, the creation of a usable nanotube fiber has been one of the ultimate goals," said John E. Fischer, co-author of the study and professor of Materials Science and Engineering in Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.<br /><br />"Its applications are nearly limitless, from replacing copper wiring to creating super-strong fabrics to, as some have suggested, building the cable tethers that will allow space elevators to travel from the earth to orbit."</i><br /><br /><br />If progress continues at this rate I think we will have the material required to build a space elevator within 10 years. I can't wait!