Whats News in Science: Bucky Paper

Ryan Vachon

Whats News in Science: Bucky Balls and Bucky Paper

I first heard about Buckyballs from a sci-fi novel by the author Ben Bova. His novel "Mercury" contained a character who was responsible for developing the first space elevator on a mountain range in South America. The material that this person used to construct the elevator was called "Bucky Balls" and was said to be many times stronger than steel.

Doing research for this paper, I happened accross an article published by Wired Magazine, and written by the Associated Press that talked about bucky paper, a variation on the bucky ball.

Bucky paper is formed from a carbon nanotube that is roughly 50,000 times thinner than hair. When combined into sheets, and layered, the resulting composite material is 10 times lighter and 500 times stronger than steel. They also have the ability to conduct electricity like steel.

The current technology to make this material is currently only able to produce it at a fraction of its estimated potential and with an incredible cost. FSU is currently studying the material and methods on how to make so they can cut productions cost and create a composite that can truely compete with steel and composit materials on the market today.

Due to the strength and weight of bucky paper, some of the first application ideas came from the aeronautics sector. Airplanes and spaceships could use this material to skin their vehicles, or possibly even frame them. Since the material is so strong and leight weight, planes and spaceships would benefit immensely from the improved materials.

Wired magazine is a well know tech magazine that knows what it is talking about. They cover a variety of subjects from chemistry to physics to current and future technology, as well as delving into popular culture. Bottom line is that the articles they publish can be trusted because they are an established magazine with a good reputation. The Associated Press sells their articles to Newspapers and Magazines accross the country. These articles are generally considered to be well written and balanced from bias.

The second article I used was more scientifically oriented than the Associated press article. This is because the website is targeted towards a much more scientifically based community that knows the terminology and basic foundations of the topics. I used it mostly as a reference against the first article to make sure the facts were there and accurate.

Associated Press "Future planes, cars may be made of `buckypaper'." Wired Magazine. 18 Oct. 2008. 25 Oct. 2008. http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/T/TEC_BUCKYPAPER?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-10-18-03-35-31

"Nanotubes and Bucky Balls." Nanotechnology Now. 29 Mar. 2008. 25 Oct. 2008. http://www.nanotech-now.com/nanotube-buckyball-sites.htm