 |
Nanotubes and Dams
|
 |
|
|
Welcome Teachers and Students
Visit
Our Archives
How to
Ask a Question
Ask
A Question
Question
of the Week
Our
Expert Scientists
About
Ask A Scientist
Referencing
NEWTON BBS Articles
Frequently Asked Questions |
Nanotubes and Dams
name Elsie R.
status educator
location MO
Question - Can nanotubes be used in the
construction of dams and levees?
---------------------------------------
Hi Elsie,
Carbon nanotubes exhibit, as you may have heard, very high
tensile strength. But tensile strength is basically useless
in the construction of dams and levees, which are subjected
mainly to compressive stress. In compression, carbon
nanotubes have very little more to offer than traditionally
used materials such as concrete.
Regardless, the use of carbon nanotubes in any sizeable
structure is impractical, since they are little more than
laboratory curiosities at this time, and have only been made
in very small quantities. Cost is another factor. The related
but less exotic material, carbon fiber, which also excels in
tensile (but not compressive) strength, is currently
available but is very expensive. Once material made of carbon
nanotubes is commercially available, it is expected that it
will be far more expensive still. A dam-sized structure made
of this material would probably bankrupt the country! Also
note that materials like carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes
are made from oil. The amount of oil needed to make a dam,
made from this material, would be astronomical! So the best
material for this application is still good old concrete.
Regards,
Bob Wilson.
====================================================================
The cost of such a construction material would be out of sight. At
present, nanotubes and nanotechnology is very new. No one knows what
applications might be found, but at the present state of
development, dams and levees would not be very practical.
Vince Calder
====================================================================
|
|
We provide a means to have questions answered that are not going to be easily found on the web or within common references.
Return to NEWTON's HOME PAGE
For
assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator, at Argonne's Division
of Educational Programs
NEWTON
BBS AND ASK A SCIENTIST Division of Educational Programs
Building
DEP/223 9700 S. Cass Ave. Argonne,
Illinois 60439-4845
USA
Last
Update:
November 2006
|