Paper airplanes?

[Mike125]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/17/buckypaper.invention.ap/index.html

Pretty interesting stuff. Just how light will they be able to make
microlight gliders? Too light to fly in a breeze?

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Oct 20, 7:31*am, Mike125 > wrote:
> http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/17/buckypaper.invention.ap/index.html
>
> Pretty interesting stuff. Just how light will they be able to make
> microlight gliders? Too light to fly in a breeze?

The key phrase in composite materials is, "Show me the Modulus!"

None of the media reports have addressed the stiffness of this new
material. Unless it is substantially stiffer per unit mass than
conventional carbon fibers, it won't really make that much difference.
Most composite aircraft structures are bound more by stiffness than by
strength. All the strength in the world does you no good if your
structure is so floppy it turns into a pretzel.

Thanks, Bob K.