Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and - Center for ...

Vicki Colvin
Mason Tomson
Pedro Alvarez
Andreas Lüttge
James Tour
28
Water
Professors Colvin, Mason Tomson and
Alvarez have developed a process for
water disinfection and arsenic removal
using nanoparticles that can be magnetically
separated. This technology does not
require expensive infrastructure; it can be
used in family kitchens for less than pennies
per gram. It holds great promise for
preventing disease and improving health
around the world. A technology field test
has been implemented in Guanajuato,
Mexico.
Corrosion
Professor Lüttge’s research focuses on the
chemical processes, primarily corrosion,
that occur on the surfaces of minerals,
rocks, metals and glasses. The most costly
and common form of corrosion is rust.
Every bridge, dam or building that contains
iron or steel is potentially subject to
damage from corrosion. Recently, Lüttge
developed an interferometer technology
coupled with advanced software that can
quickly and easily measure corrosion at
the atomic scale. Ultimately, this technology
sets the stage for the discovery of
new corrosion prevention and mitigation
technologies.
Professor Tour has developed a series of
spray-on coatings for lubrication and corrosion
protection of steel. These products
have applications for oil production and
refining, diverse marine applications,
machined parts, electronics, chemical
and petrochemical manufacture, cooling
water systems, pipelines, power stations,
transportation, and building and bridge
infrastructure.