https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3273087/chinese-nanotube-wire-rivals-copper-conductivity-and-could-someday-be-used-space
Superstrong, ultrathin carbon fibres, also known as buckytubes, could be used in array of hi-tech sectors, from energy storage to aerospace.
Neat, but nanotubes have been around for a long time now. The problem has always been scaling up, which this article mentions is still an issue, sigh.
Although, the 86% connectivity of copper seems relatively low, I think with higher quality nanotubes, it would be higher than copper, right? I'm stretching my memory a bit. I feel like I haven't read about manotubes for a number of years. The high strength they mentioned later in the article, sounds the same as I've heard before. A well-formed nanotube braided properly should be basically the strongest rope we've ever made.
Im wondering if maybe the reason it mentions space is that while on earth copper will continue to be better the tubes may be much lighter and easier to launch into orbit making them more economically viable for space based uses? Even if its a worse and more expensive material overall if it saves a lot of launch fuel it may be much cheaper.