By Jack Uldrich
Cross-posted from www.jumpthecurve.net
Nanotechnology is expected to be a $2.6 trillion market by 2015.
At the heart of this big new sector is something very small –
molecules. To understand how and why nanotechnology – which is
defined as the manipulation of matter at the molecular level –
matters, you can begin at home. 
The Writing is Off-the-Wall
Behr 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.
Scratch-Free
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.
Wipe Away Your Worries
Pilkington’s “Activ” glass uses
nanoparticles of titanium dioxide to create self-cleaning windows;
while Eddie Bauer, Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers all sell
clothes that contain tiny “nano-whiskers” and make pants, shirts
and ties resistant to stains of every kind. Upholstery and carpet
are up next.
Wrap Your Head Around This: The New Flat Will Be
Round
Nanostructured 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. (cont.)
A Germ-a-phobe’s Dream
Nano-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.
Another Reason to Despise Cloudy Days
A new solar fabric embedded with
nanocrystals has helped turned tents into solar collectors. The
real pay-off will come when the fabric in your clothing can help
power your cellphone. The army is already investigating this
possibility and commercial products are expected by 2010.
Get Some Skin in the Game
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.
Less is More
Shemen Industries, a small Israel
company, is deploying 30 nanometer capsules of phytosterol – a
natural ingredient that helps lower cholesterol – in a variety of
food products.
So Long Skunky 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.
No Blood Money
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.
Nano, Nano
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.
Get in the Game
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.
Ice-fishing Just Won’t be the Same
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.
You’ll Be On Your Way in No Time
A new nano-titanate material
is being used in car batteries. It reportedly allows cars to run
for 300 miles on a single charge.
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