It's unlikely that many observers have doubted the basic hypothesis of geometrically active zones. There is much agreement on that.
The practical problem is that without nanotubes, optimum geometry is very hard to engineer in a stable and consistent form over time. Metals are ductile and nano features are easily lost - whereas carbon nanotubes are incredibly strong. Huge advantage is found in CNT over cracks in a metal lattice. From: Kevin O'Malley Wouldn't that lend itself to corroborating Ed Storms's theories about cracks & the NAE? Frank roarty wrote: Jones, Yes, I agree.. the paper from Cornell re catalytic action only occurring at openings and defects in nano tubes