Paper Stronger Than Cast Iron 327
TaeKwonDood writes "All paper is made of cellulose, which at the nanoscale level is quite strong, but paper processing makes large, fragile fibers that break easily. Researchers in Sweden have have come up with a manufacturing process that keeps the fibers small, resulting in 'nanopaper' with over 1.6 times the tensile strength of cast iron (214 megapascals vs. 130 mPa). And since cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on the planet, it's cheap to use compared to other exotic, expensive-to-produce options — such as carbon nanotubes."
Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:5, Interesting)
I can see a lot of uses for it even if it isn't. But I can see some fairly awe-inspiring ones if it's possible.
Re:Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:5, Interesting)
Interesting indeed.
Re:First! (Score:4, Interesting)
apparently the nanobonds are more porous... would be nice to see some comparison statistics on the physical properties between nanopaper and regular paper per square inch say.
Health concerns? (Score:2, Interesting)
Durability over time? (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:5, Interesting)
Saturated paper products: Tar paper, sheetrock, and other products that are basically using paper to contain some other product, etc.
Non-saturated: string spindles et al, books, food and product packaging materials, shipping materials...
If it turns out that thicker pieces constructed with pressure or other methods, perhaps we'll finally get a throwaway computer or dvr case? Perhaps we'll find that a lot of carbon based plastics might be better created with nanopaper processes? How much oil would that save? How much cleaner could commercial enterprises become?
There are a lot of things that paper is only just a bit less suitable than some other product that creates pollution or distributes toxins either during creation or after it's use.
Obviously, I'm not the expert, but if this can make some of that come true it will be a very good thing.
Prior art (Score:3, Interesting)
rj
Re:Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:One point about grey cast iron (Score:3, Interesting)
Well-seasoned cast iron also has other advantages other than being non-stick (not relatively, but most definitely) that include more even and higher temperatures (for superiour browning), requiring no soap and water to clean, and being oven-safe (oven-friendly, actually) so you can cook using using any method or methods you choose.
Then again, cast iron went out of fashion years ago when women started working in professional kitchens and found them too heavy for regular use, and the introduction of electric stoves (which don't generate a high enough heat) probably didn't help matters. It's a shame, really, and any westerner who's been in a Chinese kitchen and seen a wok seasoned over 20 years put to regular demanding use would probably agree.
Re:Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:2, Interesting)
Cancer. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Great, but is it fireproof? (Score:3, Interesting)
That would make for superb irony when we reach the future of Fahrenheit 451. All the houses are fireproof, on account of being made of the very paper Montag is paid to burn...
Re:Milli-pascal? (Score:4, Interesting)
After I ran 6.2 kilometer yesterday, I was feeling thirsty. So I drank 1.6 liter of water. It took 37 minute to walk back to my car. I fired it up, and saw that the engine was already 52 degree from sitting in the hot sun. I got home, and collapsed from exhaustion. I slept an entire 9 hour.
Adjective vs. noun usage?
Re:First! (Score:3, Interesting)
In many situations, it is difficult or next to impossible to get the stresses in a structure to be compatible with the grain structure of the wood.
Timber structures have to be heavily engineered to ensure the stresses occur with the proper orientation to the grain. This often makes them too expensive in comparison to steel.