An Apple patent application for a carbon fiber composite shell was released today. This has lead to speculation that Apple is researching ways to build carbon fiber MacBooks and other media devices.

Carbon fiber is extremely durable, and weighs significantly less than other factory metals. Apple's patent specifically states that the fiber will be coated with a thin "scrim" of colored material, so that your stylish new Carbon fiber MacBook will look just as stylish as ever. Personally, I'm a fan of the way carbon fiber looks, and I hope they'll have options for 'natural' cases.

MacRumors.com thinks that this new carbon fiber case will make its debut with an upcoming MacBook Air that weighs a quarter-pound less than the current models. Hopefully Apple will push carbon fiber in more products than just the air. iPods and iPhones could both benefit from the strength and flexibility of carbon fiber shells.

As of yet, all we have is speculation, but the fact that this patent application was published just as Apple sets off more rumors about the anticipated MacBook Touch could be a hint from the Apple advertising department about what's to come.