Peptide nanotube 'forest' coating could mean self-cleaning windows, more efficient batteries, Alzheimer's cure, world peace
By Tim Stevens 
posted December 7th 2009 9:23AM
posted December 7th 2009 9:23AM
We are rapidly coming to grips with the idea that there is nothing nanotubes can't do. They're boosting solar cell efficiency, hoisting more junk into space, and even providing an exceptionally light meal. Now they'll even clean your windows -- well, not your windows, but your future self's windows thanks to research at Tel Aviv University, where a team has created a way to grow a so-called forest of nanotubes out of peptides. This means they're exceptionally cheap to produce and, as they've been shown to repel dirt and water, they'll make an ideal coating for windows and solar cells. They can also act as a super-capacitor, increasing the output of batteries, and there's even hope that they could treat Alzheimer's disease. Yes, nanotubes certainly are the future -- prepare for obsolescence.
Can this be made to enhance Toilet paper?
I frequent 5 alarm chilli houses and well, lets just say I need the extra arse wiping cleaning power! :D
@NAME, "as they've been shown to repel dirt and water..." they're not likely to be any good added to loo paper!
@NAME
You'd have to coat um... "yourself" for it to work.
@NAME I was just going to write a comment about how they should improve toilet paper with this tech and lo and behold....the first comment is pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Coincidence? Or a sad commentary on the devolution of man's thought process?
@NAME LOL, Incredible, I did a marketing project at the university this year about a fictitious but likely to exist product and I "invented" the nanotubes toilet paper!!!!
I thought the main drawback of carbon nanotubes was their toxicity and they are potentially carcinogenic. Once we get around that these things will be magnificent.
@(Unverified)
People who lick windows deserve what ever they get.
@(Unverified) pretty sure that if u read the story it says peptide nanotubes not carbon nanotubes. Why the story doesn't say protein is another question.
Forgot about one more, those (nanotubes) can prevent global warming too...
It is a cellular peptide cake... with mint frosting.
@Andir
What would Dr Freud say!
@Andir
You, sir, win all of the internets.
bucky balls remain my favourite fullerene. nanotubes are, well, just tiny little straws. can't play nano-soccer with those.
@buoy
Can't drink a tasty milkshake with a bucky ball though.
World Peace is sooooo last year.
So when do I get my monomolecular wire thumb weapon?
@glamajamma
You want molecules? I can get you molecules, why stop at just one though? My wires are made with bajillions of molecules for CHEAPER than those knock-off wires that only have one molecule!
@NeoJew
Your impassioned sales pitch is inspiring. I don't know anything about your product but I already want one. Please tell me more.
Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you - just one word.
Ben: Yes sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Ben: Yes I am.
Mr. McGuire: 'Nanotubes.'
Ben: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in nanotubes. Think about it. Will you think about it?
Ben: Yes I will.
Mr. McGuire: Shh! Enough said. That's a deal.
you left out unicorns.
Don't nanotubes, if left out in the breeze, have the potential of becoming the asbestos of the future? (in terms of lung trashing)
Oh, I thought the Alzheimers disease thing was sarcasm.
If a peptide falls in the nano-forest...