What’s So Big About Nano Technology

As Research Scientist I was introduced to Nano-Technology while developing materials to be used in the development of safer, cleaner and more energetic solid rocket fuels. This research led to the development of the first ever electrically controlled solid rocket propellant for which a Patent # 8,617,327 was issued.
Since then I went onto learn about a product developed for the military and aerospace industry. This Nano-technology product was a liquid Nano-based hydrocarbon. When added to the currently used oil, fuels, lubricants or fluids used in mechanical equipment treated the metal surfaces to reduce friction and wear. A result was equipment ran more efficiently using less fuel/energy, reduced emissions, protected the surfaces from wear and contamination, and increased the service the life of the lubricant and the equipment.
As the first series of these blogs, I will first describe Nano-technology and why it is becoming an important technology for all types of product and especially for mechanical equipment.
Here is a great introductory video on “What is Nano-Technology”

A basic definition of Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale.
Here’s a list of the types of things Nano is making possible today. Nano is being used
• To make strong lightweight equipment ranging from tennis racquets to windmill blades
• To clean up industrial solvents contaminating groundwater
• To protect clothing with nanoparticles that shed water or stains
• As catalysts to make chemical manufacturing more efficient while saving energy and keeping waste products to a minimum
• As a coating on countertops that kills bacteria
• In sunscreens to provide protection from UV rays without producing a thick white residue
• In wound dressings to rapidly stop bleeding in trauma patients
• As a film on glass to stop water from beading and dirt from accumulating
• In paints to prevent corrosion and the growth of mold as well as to provide insulation
• To make integrated circuits with features that can be measured in nanometers (nm), allowing companies to make computers chips that contain billions of transistors
• In bandages to kill germs
• For coatings in heavy-duty machinery, such as ships and the oil industry, to make equipment last longer
• In plastic food packaging to keep oxygen out so the food spoils at a much slower rate
In my next blog I will go into how our nanotechnology helps make your vehicle and equipment run more efficiently and last longer. Be sure to sign up to get this blog.
References:
http://www.crnano.org/whatis.htm
http://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1079
http://www.dummies.com/education/science/nanotechnology/what-is-nanotechnology/
http://www.dummies.com/education/science/nanotechnology/what-can-be-done-with-nanotechnology-today/