Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : Copper Fox -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Metacomet who wrote (9514)	4/21/2015 11:54:41 PM
From: louel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10654

Copper will be around for a while yet. However the dependency we have or had is faltering. The demand for copper will I expect. Will fall by the wayside. Long before oil and it's by-products is no longer required. But it is something to think about when considering the longer term. Copper was once the only water lines used in a home. Now ABS is replacing it. Joints are not soldered reducing the lead contact with domestic water. Which was always considered a health hazard. Printed circuits have replaced copper wiring where ever possible, for a number of years. First, they are cheaper, Secondly because they are lighter and take up less space. Thirdly it is easier to trace the circuits. and fourth they accommodate digital transistors and integrated circuitry much more efficiently. High voltage transmission lines; Wires made from carbon are 10 times lighter and up to 30 times stronger than copper. The carbon wires are corrosion resistant and can carry a much higher current. Additionally, losses in transmission efficiency with increasing temperature are significantly smaller than in traditional copper wires Carbon Nano Tube Wiring: Copper wiring makes up as much as one-third of the weight of a 15-ton satellite Similarly, reducing the weight of wiring in UAVs would enable them to fly longer before refueling or carry more sensors and weapons. CNT wiring would yield the same sort of savings for commercial aircraft. A Boeing 747 uses about 135 miles of copper wire that weighs 4,000 pounds. Replacing that with 600 or 700 pounds of nanotube wire would save substantial amounts of fuel and, or increase payloads. In addition, CNT wires do not corrode or oxidize, are stronger and are not susceptible to vibration fatigue Carbon nanotubes can theoretically have 1000 times the energy density of copper. Ford is already doing test uses of Nano Carbon materials in some applications reducing the weight of light trucks by up to 750 Lbs. More applications such as wiring are being considered. Then there is electrical motors. Instead of Copper wound fields. Carbon Magnets are used in nearly all small electrical motors. ATV winches, Wiper motors, Electric valve controls ect. As science advances, Nano carbon technology is proving to be far superior to copper in electrical conduction. The following link shows the initial development (still in it's infancy) of what's to come. I suggest the next decade. May be have copper chasing after the Dodo Bird. Technology advances so fast it is hard to keep up. Considering when we were kids in the 1940's, was prior to televisions. lut.fi