Feather-light industrial strength solar sheets

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via OhGizmo!

University of Texas scientists have broken conventional wisdom in the field of nanotechnology, and will publish a full article on how their finding on a new material that is lighter than a feather yet retaining far more strength than steel will revolutionize the way the world works. Check out what they have been doing, huddled up in darkened labs all day (and night) long :-

• Yards of ribbons have been successfully run that are lighter than a feather but stronger than steel.
• Made entirely of carbon, they also conduct electricity.
• Sheets (measured in meters) created from nanotubes can be ‘pulled’ and created on the fly in minutes.
• The sheets can collect solar energy, and do so when bent or creased.

Possible application stated :-
• Blankets that could be unfurled in the desert to harvest energy for soldiers
• Clothing strong enough to repel a bullet
• Ultra lightweight sails for space travel (one-third of a square mile – only 66 pounds)
• Car doors strong enough to protect passengers and double as batteries