Bye bye Space Elevator

One problem with Pugno's study is that it assumes a
requirement for individual nanotubes to be very long.
However, imagine for a moment that a short nanotube is
bent around so that it forms a torus: a link in a
chain. Many of these can be arranged so that they
form a sort of 3-dimensional "chainmail" with many
interconnected links both vertically and laterally.
Then the individual nanotubes can be very small (and
thus less likely to be missing carbon atoms, which was
Pugno's objection) but the aggregate structure can be
very large, while still maintaining the 100GPa
strength of the small nanotubes.

Ed

--- John Frazer wrote:

> Should be "Bye bye Bean Stalk", which for all the
> unwarranted hooplah
> they've gotten, I take as a relief.
>
> Omar E. Vega wrote:
> >It seem we'll have to say good bye to space
> elevators for now.
> >
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technovel_nanotubes_060602.html