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Science

DCKit

(18,541 posts)

28. "And nanotubes do allow gas into them"

Reply to n2doc (Reply #27)

Thu Dec 27, 2012, 03:33 PM

Dec 2012

Yes, but which gas molecules are small enough to get into them?

If CO2, CH4, NO2, N2, O2 etc... are too large to enter, then the interior is, by definition, lighter than air. Even the individual carbon atoms making up the "cage" are lighter than the gases they contain.

Think about it.

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31 replies

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Lighter-than-air material discovered [View all] Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 OP

The hoverboard is cute, but I'm imagining the size of the aerographite helmet... DCKit Dec 2012 #1

aerographite jacket and pants Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 #3

Wedgie Alert With Those Pants n/t DallasNE Dec 2012 #5

The Vladimir Harkonnen'a suit Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 #10

Is that similar in nature to this ? dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #2

Better article on Aerographite Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 #15

Balloons that never lose their lift, and don't waste precious helium? Nice! n/t krispos42 Dec 2012 #4

So it's about the density of helium. tclambert Dec 2012 #6

This is good, because we're running out of helium LastLiberal in PalmSprings Dec 2012 #14

I don't think you can substitute it for all uses of helium. tclambert Dec 2012 #31

I , for one, welcome our new nano-scale, carbon fiber tube overlords. nt MrScorpio Dec 2012 #7

Even if the hoverboard was as big as the kid using it, it would only reduce his weight by a sixth, Democratopia Dec 2012 #8

The images you post are bogus and not in article. That said, please define "air" Lionessa Dec 2012 #9

Oh, please Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 #11

The ability to visualize in the abstract littlemissmartypants Dec 2012 #25

A legit science article shouldn't be treated as a joke, imo. Lionessa Dec 2012 #29

Amazing material--opens up all kinds of sci-fi-like possibilities... Surya Gayatri Dec 2012 #12

Rumor is reteachinwi Dec 2012 #13

Fascinating: One concern. caseymoz Dec 2012 #16

I suspect some one would choke on it Jeff In Milwaukee Dec 2012 #17

What about micro-fragments: dust? caseymoz Dec 2012 #19

The manufacturing is a concern, to be sure... Jeff In Milwaukee Dec 2012 #21

Just asking, don't know . . . . no_hypocrisy Dec 2012 #18

Air and helium are extremely different. nt caseymoz Dec 2012 #20

Thanks for the clarification. no_hypocrisy Dec 2012 #22

My error: it is lighter than helium caseymoz Dec 2012 #23

Unless one evacuates the air (and keeps it out, somehow) it is not 'lighter than air' n2doc Dec 2012 #24

They don't evacuate anything. DCKit Dec 2012 #26

These aren't solid nanotubes n2doc Dec 2012 #27

"And nanotubes do allow gas into them" DCKit Dec 2012 #28

Wow, that's awesome! NealK Dec 2012 #30