Space Elevator
by Tachyon » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:07 am
If you don't like the news then go make some of your own.
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Tachyon - Site Admin
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Indeed. One of the things mentioned, which makes me very happy, is the fact that some if not all of the power for the elevator could be generated by the structure itself.
I had the pleasure of speaking with a nanotechnologist at a party a year or so ago here in Logan. We talked about carbon nanotubes, and their natural proclivity toward magnetic orientation. Apparently, nanotubes are magnetic due to their crystalline structure. The more nanotubes are brought together, the more EM energy is generated - similar to the field generated by simply winding copper wire, but much more pronounced. This, coupled with the induction brought about by dangling a wire from orbital height, would create strong electric fields in and around the nanotube cables.
It appears that the natural electricity created as a consequence of building the central support structure would be enough to power the elevator's functions. Two for the price of one -- go figure!!!