Fun e-mail today =)

[Meem]

My idea is a secret! lol

Paul,

Your idea seems most related to NASA Space Operations: http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/home/index.html. You might try contacting them with your thoughts.

About teaching science to kids, you may find the Solar System Ambassadors program to be of interest: http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/.

Have a great week!
Meredith
----------------------
Meredith,


Maybe that is where you could help me out, I'm not even close to being a scientist, but I am a person who has a deep interest in and a love of science. I've been asking people for a simple answer about this simple idea of mine but I don't seem to ever find one. Who, should I ask this question of? Perhaps Yi Cui? That's one I haven't tried yet. Maybe I should. I don't know how NASA could sponsor scientific work without looking into it. It seems like any "scientist" with a bright idea could just "take the money and run." I just want know if it's possible. Space will always interest me, but not nearly as much the mystery of people. It's not my theory, just simple idea but I mean ... I guess I could try. One never knows till they try. If I could have any job in the world it would be teaching science to kids.

Thanks for you reply,
Paul.

Maybe I found the job for me, with a little bit of luck =P

[Meem]

I sent a new e-mail, with my same "simple-stupid" question.

Hello Earthlings!
My name is Paul Harbin.

I made an initial inquiry with Meredith A. Mengel, in the general science "section" of the house I believe. She directed me this way, as she could not answer my question. Nobody has been able to so far ... sort of frustrating. It seems like a simple yes or no type to me, but I am having people tell me I should write a paper, submit it to a journal, and then make my inquiry. That seems like whole lot to do, just to get a question answered. If I have a simple idea that leads to something ... put my name on it somewhere, I would appreciate that. Other than that, it's just a "stupid question."

I have a simple, but I suppose not so simple question. I read something about the Tether experiment which used carbon nanotech for the "cable/tether." I got the impression it was supposed to revolutionize things. I got that same impression from another scientific work. I think somehow, possible the two might mix well. The other work is lead by Yi Cui from Standford. I read an article about his was and was fascinated. I was also fascinated about the tether I never new about until recently. I am no genius, nor scientist, but obviously the people who work on these sorts of things are, so I figure it would be possible to get an answer for this question.

With silicon nanotech combined with the carbon nanotech work? If it is not possible to make some sort of nano polymer out of the two ... possibly a "weave" or coaxial of the two? Coaxial-tether, use the carbon for the hard center and the silicon for the insulation ... pretty much like a cable TV cord? That simple, not that complicated? Here's the interesting things I think I know about NASA's work. The tether experienced a 2-10 fold increase or energy flux which is what is thought to have cause it to break.

This is what stands out about Cui's work in correlation with the NASA work.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/january9/nanowire-010908.html

"The new technology, developed through research led by Yi Cui, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, produces 10 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY of existing lithium-ion, known as Li-ion, batteries."

"Silicon placed in a battery swells as it absorbs positively charged lithium atoms during charging, then shrinks during use (i.e., when playing your iPod) as the lithium is drawn out of the silicon. This expand/shrink cycle typically causes the silicon (often in the form of particles or a thin film) to pulverize, degrading the performance of the battery.

Cui's battery gets around this problem with nanotechnology. The lithium is stored in a forest of tiny silicon nanowires, each with a diameter one-thousandth the thickness of a sheet of paper. The nanowires inflate four times their normal size as they soak up lithium. But, UNLIKE other silicon shapes, THEY DO NOT FRACTURE."


So, simple answer? More than likely not, but I think some smart people should be looking into if they are not already.


Godspeed,
Paul Harbin.

Just maybe ... a mix of all three? Carbon, silicon, and aluminum? Who knows ... keep trying! One simple material is not the answer, in my humble opinion. Profpat, you probably would like that three note/field/material unity eh?
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/11jun_ff.htm