Tuesday 13 May 2008

Nanotube paper to provide power!

Some Chinese physicists have invented some new paper made from carbon nanotubes which is super-thin and super-strong.  It also conducts both heat and electricity extremely well.  One practical use for this 'paper' is to make super-capacitors - devices that store up to a thousand times the electrical energy of normal capacitors.  Such devices are often used in applications where a sudden large surge is required such as when starting a large engine.  But it is not just the starter motors of future traditional cars that might benefit from these developments.  Super-capacitors are also being used in newer hybrid powered cars and in prototype fuel cell based vehicles.  It is also possible that the same nanotube paper could help remove heat generated by computer processor chips.

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