So the all-nanotube yarn maintains its integrity due to "nanoscale friction" rather than Van Der Waals forces:
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"The trick is that we use yarn twist and the resulting nanoscale friction to provide inter-nanotube mechanical coupling leading to yarn strength, rather than weak van der Waals interactions or a polymer binder," said Baughman. "The absence of this polymer is important for maximizing properties for multifunctional applications, such as for a yarn used for structural purposes that also functions as an artificial muscle, supercapacitor, heat pipe or fuel cell."
So what exactly is nanoscale friction in this context? The fact that the yarn twists are occurring on a nanoscale, therefore meaning that ordinary twists relative to the dimensions of the object being twisted will still result in ordinary friction? (ie. nanotwists for nanotubes = normal friction)
Will this be enough for a Space Elevator??