There isn't a corner of a Room or the World that Nanotechnology will not Affect
Nanotechnology is already all around us but yet it's not a word we hear all that often. It's almost a concept that is creeping up on us from every angle unknown to us, although 'creeping' is an unfairly negative term to use for this wonderful revolution. Nanotechnology is having the biggest impacts on technology, the environment and medicine and these are further discussed in different sections of this website. So here let's look at some of the interesting inventions in our everyday life that exist as they do now because of nanotechnology.
The Writing's Off the WallBehr and others are now using nanoparticles to produce anti-mildew paints and anti-graffiti paints. Another company is perfecting a nano-enhanced wall paint that blocks cellphone calls and, longer-term, researchers expect to create a nano-solar paint that can turn your wall and even your house into a giant solar cell. [10]
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Scratch-Free Surfaces
BASF has developed a nanoceramic material that is three times more resistant to scratching. It is already being employed on kitchen tabletops and car exteriors. The company hopes to have self-healing materials on the market in the near future. Engineers discovered that adding aluminum silicate nanoparticles to scratch-resistant polymer coatings made the coatings more effective, increasing resistance to chipping and scratching. Scratch-resistant coatings are common on everything from cars to eyeglass lenses.[10]
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Micro-Organism ControlNano-silver particles and nano-silver coatings – which have amazing anti-bacterial properties – are being used to control germs, mold and fungus and are now in refrigerators, air conditioners, humidifiers and food-storage containers.
Scientist Robert Burrell created a process to manufacture antibacterial bandages using nanoparticles of silver. [11] |
No-More Stains!Eddie Bauer, Tommy Hilfiger and Brlooks Brothers all sell clothes that contain tiny “nano-whiskers” and make pants, shirts and ties resistant to stains of every kind.
At Ross Nanotechnology, they have developed a super hydrophobic coating that completely repels water and heavy oils called NeverWet™. Any liquid placed on this coating is repelled and simply rolls off without touching the underlying surface. These protective sprays help problems like corrosion, icing, bacteria and dirt. |
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Flexible LightsNanostructured polymer films are being used in next-generation OLED (organic light emitting diode) lights. The benefit is that the lights are ten times more energy-efficient than regular lightbulbs and can be wrapped around poles. Super-thin, flexible electronic television screens that can be curved to create a more immersive experience are on the drawing board. Projects at GE Global Research are focused on improving the performance and commercial viability of these technologies, which both have the potential to offer much higher energy efficient lighting options for people and businesses. They created this flexible OLED light shown on the right.[10]
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Nanotechnology and Space TravelSpace Travel Space elevators with cables made from resilient carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one possibility for efficient and cost effective space travel. In theory, these cables would be used to tether an elevator to the ground, eliminating the cost and energy use of transporting cargo via ship [13].
The health of astronauts is a primary concern in space travel. Self-mending spacesuits with two layers of nanorobots have been proposed by researchers. The first layer would be able to self-mend issues like punctures to a spacesuit. The second layer would be able to administer medications in emergencies. Spacesuits won't be the only things that can heal themselves. Lightweight spacecraft made from nanotube composites would allow for more efficient travel. Instead of rocket fuel, solar sails made from thin layers of nanotubes would reflect light, propelling the space ship. There is the possibility of self-mending space ships repairing structural damage themselves.[13] NASA has remained a major contributor to nanotechnology inventions. There are reams of information out there on how nanotechnology affects space travel . For more information click here. Picosatellites, less than one-half pound each, are shown against a coffee mug.(2003)
Image Courtesy of Journal: Applications of Nanotechnology in Space Developments and Systems, Published by VDI Technology Center
Future Technologies Division
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Nano-foodsThere are 600 nanofoods on the market today including a variety of canola oil that can block cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. Ideas for tomorrow are growing at a rapid rate. They include:
Technology and ElectronicsFaster computers that stay charged for longer are being created with the use of nanotechnology all the time. By exchanging the silicon in the channel for a carbon nanotube, the transistors can be made both smaller and faster than today's transistors. A carbon nanotube is a molecule in form of a hollow cylinder with a diameter of around a nanometer (roughly 1/50,000 of the width of a human hair) which consists of pure carbon. Some carbon nanotubes are semiconducting, and this means that they can be used in transistors, although there are several problems that must be solved before they can be connected together to form large circuits
One form of nanotechnology we all use is microelectronics. The "micro" part of that word suggests computer chips work on the microscopic scale. But since terms like "microchip" were coined in the 1970s, electronic engineers have found ways of packing even more transistor switches into integrated circuits on a nanoscopic scale to make computers that are smaller, faster, and cheaper. This constant increase in computing power goes by the name of Moore's Law, and nanotechnology will ensure it continues well into the future. Everyday transistors are just 100–200 nanometers wide, but cutting-edge experiments are already developing much smaller devices. These nanochips are inside driving all your electronic devices, smart phones, iPods, TVs, laptops. The advancement of nanochips will see your devices become smaller, lighter, cheaper and consume less energy all the while becoming more powerful. The iPod Nano contains flash memory chips made with components measuring less than 100 nanometers. Within a decade, continued advances in nanotechnology are expected to help store all of a family’s digital content – photos, songs, videos, TV programs – on a device the smaller than an iPod Nano.[17] And to protect these ever-so-important daily devices we have a product called 'Liquipel' which protects them even when they're immersed in water. Click on the word 'Liquipel' above for a preview video of just how effective it is.[20] Graphene Paper
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Little Nano EffectsSolar Tent: A new solar fabric embedded with nanocrystals has helped turned tents into solar collectors.
Skin-tillating: L’Oreal employs nanotechnology to deploy tiny capsules of Vitamin A to the optimum level under the skin. The effect? Fresher-looking skin and fewer wrinkles.Nanotech is big in the beauty industry because it improves absorption of active ingredients. The report, Can Nanotech Unlock the Fountain of Youth?, finds that the beauty industry has begun to make an aggressive foray into nanotechnology, using tiny molecular compounds to improve the performance of creams, sunscreens, shampoos and other personal-care products.[14] SunScreen: In sunscreen, smaller particles of zinc oxide (or other sun-blocking substances) create a shield that's strong but sheer (not white or filmy) on skin. Got Beer: Miller Beer uses clay nanoparticles in its plastic beer bottles. The minute particles make it difficult for carbon dioxide molecules to escape and help keep the beverage fresher longer. Can You Hear Me Now? Starkey, Inc., an Eden Prairie-based company, uses a nanotechnology switch in its Destiny nFusion hearing aid to deliver high quality of sound to the user. Real Fake Diamond: Apollo Diamond uses a process called chemical vapor deposition to grow two-carat diamonds virtually overnight. Not only are Apollo’s diamonds molecularly identical to natural diamonds, they’re less expensive; don’t take billions of years to form; are more environmentally friendly; and no one is exploited in the mining or manufacturing process.[15] For the Craic: NanoDynamic has created a nanotech golf ball that reduces the distance a ball hooks or slices; Easton is making a super-strong, superlight hockey stick with carbon nanotubes; and there are even now nano-enhanced fishing rods, fishing lures, ski waxes and bowling balls on the market. Cooler than Ugg boots: Aspen Aerogel’s “Toasty Feet” insoles employ an innovative nanomaterial designed to keep a shoe a stable 72 degrees even if the wearer is standing on a block of ice. The company has also developed a new building insulation material that has eight times the thermal insulating properties of the best material currently on the market. Self-Cleaning Glass: A company called Pilkington offers a product they call Activ Glass, which uses nanoparticles to make the glass photocatalytic and hydrophilic. The photocatalytic effect means that when UV radiation from light hits the glass, nanoparticles become energized and begin to break down and loosen organic molecules on the glass (in other words, dirt). Hydrophilic means that when water makes contact with the glass, it spreads across the glass evenly, which helps wash the glass clean. [17] Harry Potter StyleScientists from the University of Texas at Dallas have invented the invisibility cloak, using the principle of a natural phenomenon - a mirage. The new material is created on the basis of graphene has properties that cause a similar phenomenon. In this invisibility can be switched on and off, sending an electric current on nanomaterials. [18] Car Stuff: Useful nano- coatings for cars have been developed by NANOPROTECT.CO.UK and NANOBIZ.PL Ltd. Products are namely: NANO-WIPE - Invisible Wiper, ANTI-FOG for Car Windows, NANO-RIM - Rim Sealant, NANO for car paint, NANO for Seats and Convertible Roof, NANO for Chrome, NANO for Front Lights, NANOVIS. To see what these actually do click here. [19] |
Even the Art Industry couldn't Avoid the Embrace of Nanotechnology
It is no surprise that attention was payed to the beauty of the images scanning microscopes have to offer. The images captured by these microscopes are the basis for life and non-life in the form of molecules and atoms, and in a way nothing is more pure than this. The patterns and textures observed are incomparable to those on a larger scale, the fact that they have been manipulated or exist naturally like that is irrelevant. Nanoart is of course of interest to scientists, artists and lay people alike.