Microscopic Nanotubes Could Make Ships Lightweight, Superstrong

Nanotechnology has held a special place in the hearts of science fiction writers for decades. Indeed, NASA’s nanotubes team at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston foresees the stuff playing a critical role in nearly every aspect of a ship — from speeding electronics to delivering drugs inside astronauts. But some of the first applications of the new technology of synthesising carbon nanotubes may be as prosaic as building stronger and lighter wall panels for manned spacecraft and casings for automated probes