100-metre nanotube thread pulled from furnace

March 12, 2004 | Source: NewScientist.com news

A thread of carbon nanotubes more than 100 meters long has been pulled from a furnace. The previous record holder was a mere 30 centimeters long.

By bundling the nanotubes together into much longer fibers, scientists hope to harness their properties on a larger scale. For example, embedding long carbon nanotube threads in plastic would allow tougher composites for airplane hulls.