SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image of nanotube rings on a silicon substrate. The image is magnified 8000 times.
source
Unless they're holding out on us, it won't be long before they take four rings on an etched substrate, and array them like this, then link them with a nanotube, then use Van der Wals forces to coil the nanotube into a linking ring:
And voila, you've got a standard 4-in-1 chain, which can be expanded infinitely in all directions.
A great chain of carbon nanomaille could tow a spacecraft into orbit, or back again. Do we hear great multitudes in space cheering the idea. No, but maybe someday. Oh we're having fun.
IBM Researchers Use Van der Wals Forces to Convert Carbon Nanotubes into Rings