This seems unlikley. There is probably a technical error as translated by
New Scientist. Heating in oxygen will cause graphite to burn. This probably
was an environment with no oxygen, like under a forming gas [N2/H2 mixture].
Though they did not state the temperature, could be very low, but then this
not seem probable to transform the foamed structure to graphite.
Perhaps I can track down the original source.
Thats the problem with all us carbon units, we are unstable with respect to
oxygen [oxidation]. So for space it has to be coated to protect it in low
to medium earth orbit, to protect it from ionic bombardment from atmosphere
and solar particles.
-Jay
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon May 28 2001 - 09:50:15 MDT