USGS releases first study to assess global earthquake risk to mineral supplies
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Artist rendition of how a space elevator would look like.
American scientists from Penn State University have discovered how to produce ultra-thin diamond nanothreads, a sort of strong carbon nanotubes, which could prove to be stronger and hardier element currently available.
Research team leader, John V. Badding, said the discovery could be the key to building a space elevator for humankind to reach the stars.
Such a gadget could potentially allow earthlings to make it into orbit without the use of rocket ships. The problem with this idea is that space scientists don’t currently have any substance sufficiently both strong and light enough to make that sort of crane, which so far has existed only as a science-fiction idea.
Diamond nanothreads. Image courtesy of Penn State University.
“One of our wildest dreams for the nanomaterials we are developing is that they could be used to make the super-strong, lightweight cables,” Badding said in a press release.
“From a fundamental-science point of view, our discovery is intriguing because the threads we formed have a structure that has never been seen before,” he added. “It is as if an incredible jeweller has strung together the smallest possible diamonds into a long miniature necklace.”
Diamond nanothreads. Image courtesy of Penn State University.
More down-to-earth applications of these new, ultra light, super-strong nanothreads include the making of fuel-efficient vehicles.
The team hopes to further their research by experimenting with adding other atoms to the nanothread to create liquids and make other materials, as the experts explain in their paper, recently published by the journal Nature.
Watch John Badding, professor of chemistry at Penn State University, explaining the results of his research:
5 Comments
Steve
Carbon nanotubes and other new types of new carbon are going to transform materials science.
Simon H
Well there’s option B for the material to use alongside carbon nanotubes for structural integrity.
elvisvator
When the elevator reaches the top floor, then what are they going to do, play a game of scribbage perhaps?
KCToon
Hook a line made of this stuff to a geosynchronous satellite, then use a small electric motor to ascend the 22,500-mile distance from Earth to the satellite, accelerating to an orbital velocity of ~6000mph as you climb. Use a small thruster from the satellite to coast to the moon (or Mars). Or, better yet, put a pulley on the satellite and loop the diamond cable down to Earth. Raise equipment on the ascent, lower mined asteroid material on the descent.
Ferris
It seems to me that the weak point in this proposal is the satellite required at one end of the structure. As soon as you put any pull on the satellite it should fall out of orbit unless you use thrust to hold it in place. Alternatively you need a big heavy satellite at sufficient height and speed to maintain geostationary orbit when tethered to Earth and to handle the various loads put on it.
The maths is beyond me. How much will this cost?