Recently, the same-quality carbon nano-optical fiber can carry more current than copper cables, according to the latest research from the US site University. The current transfer capability of individual nanotubes is 1000 times that of copper. However, the ability to merge nanotubes into optical fibers using other technologies cannot be achieved.
However, a series of experiments show that the carbon nanotubes in wet spinning have superior conductivity than copper, and the conductivity of same quality is four times that of copper cables.
The researchers said that the nanotubes cable is an ideal platform for light weight transmission of systems, such as aerial applications that have strict weight requirements.
Today's copper or aluminum cables are of heavy quality due to their low tensile strength requiring steel core reinforcement.
Pasquali, a professor at Les University, said the ideal cable is made of long metal fiber nanotubes, which can be transmitted over long distances without loss. However, such cables are not feasible because they cannot be used to produce large amounts of pure metal nanotubes.
Pasquali's laboratory invented a method to spin out a fiber from a nanotubes mixture, and its performance exceeded copper. The 20 micron-wide cable developed by Pasquali and Teijin Ara is stronger.