Reardon Metal

Samizdat Brian Micklethwait got a laugh out of me with his comment that he "regards the word 'nanotechnology' as nerd-speak for it will never happen."

But he links to a nanotubes article that you'd have to be comatose to read without excitement:

The nanotubes are made of carbon and possess incredible strength. The sheets of nanotubes measure just a few times wider than the actual carbon atom, or 2 millionths-of-an-inch (2000 times thinner than paper). A square mile of this will could weigh as little as 170 pounds. The sheets are transparent, flexible and stronger than steel or high strength plastics.

The sheets will emit light when they are heated. The nanotubes are similar to solar cells because they can produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. It is hoped that other future applications can be developed including artificial muscles, faster race cars and better batteries.

The sheets can be produced very quickly. The real breakthrough is the automated process that can produce a 2 ¾ inch (5 centimeters) wide strip at a rate of 47 feet per minute. Previous methods have been much slower.

So, it's Reardon Metal, but it has photovoltaic properties and can emit light. Hank would be proud...

On the web Posted by John Kranz at August 26, 2005 4:15 PM