http://i.imgur.com/GZB9t.jpg

Flint, I already pointed out that doped graphene has some interesting electrical properties (topological insulation). However, nowhere in that article does it suggest that the insulative properties would make graphene even a possible material for space colony construction.

I don't think you understand topological insulation...

I've been reading materials science journals for the last three months as well as googling this topic specifically for the last 20 minutes. I'm not finding anything.

Thermal conductivity of graphene: 4.8-5.3E3 W/m.K making it one of the best conductors of heat known at this time

Graph_A_ne does have insulative properties, making it interesting for a lot of electrical applications (high temp superconductors etc.), but it's definitely not going to be the material of choice for insulating space colonies. We'll save our graphene for the space elevator.

I'm pretty skeptical about the scale up of this process...

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this is like a facist poll not a revolution poll

bump

cran

We need to be able to get off this rock and forming permanent settlements within the next 1000~ years or so (probably being a bit generous here, we'll probably kill ourselves long before then). We can start with colonizing Mars, some of the larger moons in the solar system, etc. but eventually, if we want to survive as a species we're going to need to leave this solar system behind.

Right now, we should be focusing on the technologies needed to become self sufficient in a place like Mars, Europa, etc.

"The sky calls to us. If we do not destroy ourselves, we will one day venture to the stars."
-Carl Sagan

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