Professor Zei Zhai and postdoctoral Jianhua Zou from the University of Central Floridahave taken carbon nanotubes forward a notch. Using nanotubes similar to the form of aerogel, aka "frozen smoke" The team has developed what they are boasting as a good way to detect pollution, toxins, improve robotic surgery, and to store energy. Zhai and Zou worked with Professors Saiful Knondaker, Quanfang Chen, and Sudipta Seal from UCF to make the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) aerogel structure. The result was the construction of large surface area within the structure, and the material conducts electricity well, and is a thermal insulator. Applications could include measuring changes in pressure or other electrical properties. And the increased surface area could allow for increased capacity in supercapacitors and batteries. More here.
The biggest hold up of wide adoption of carbon nanotubes is the cost. The base form is still at $45-150/kg. Like everything, it will come down in price eventually.
Eavedropper