The use of an imogolite (aluminosilicate) sheath to protect a conducting core consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) or nanowire from mechanical and chemical attacks is proposed. The cross-sectional structure of such a nanocable is shown in the figure. The most stable CNT@ imogolite nanocable is calculated to have a tube-tube distance of 2.8 angstrom and an insertion energy of ca. 60 meV per carbon atom.