Space-age handling: down to earth

摘要

I have a dream about extraterrestrial materials handling. It involves a ribbon elevator to space. Up this 3-foot-wide ribbon of carbon nanotube material will climb 7-ton, photocell-powered chambers the size of semi trailers, ascending at 120 miles an hour. They'll carry payloads weighing as much as 13 tons. What's at the other end of the ribbon to accept these payloads? That will be determined as my dream comes true. Until then, there are enough applications for carbon nanotube material today that one only needs an imagination. The materials handling world alone is full of great applications. Mind you, for those who aren't motivated by weight considerations, steel's strength and cost may be more appropriate. However, once you start caring about weight, carbon nanotubes can be a cost-effective alternative.