nanoscience and society - IAP/TU Wien

474 Nanoenabled Products in Commerce
nanotechnology include Canola Active Oil produced by
Shemen Industries, which uses nanodrops or micelles
to inhibit transportation of cholesterol into the bloodstream,
FresherLonger plastic storage bags produced by
Sharper Image, which are infused with silver nanoparticles
to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungus,
and cookware from GreenPan, which uses a hybrid
polymer nanocomposite nonstick technology.
Automotive Engineering
Nanoscaled fillers, such as sooty particles, are applied in
car tires, for example. The nanometer-sized dimensions
of functional layers or particles allow a drastic improvement
in performance of catalysts and air filter systems
that clean air inside and outside of the car. Optical layers
for reflection reduction on dashboards, or hydrophobic
and dirt-repellent "easy-to-clean" surfaces on car mirrors
are further examples of applications using nanotechnologies
in automobiles. Currently, profits amounting to
billions of dollars are being generated using such highend
products, where nanotechnologies are incorporated
into the product or into production technologies. In the
production technology of future automotive engineering,
nanotechnological adhesives have an enormous
economic potential since they allow energy savings in
assembly processes. An interesting application relates to
adhesives that are modified with magnetic nanoparticles.
The coupling of thermal energy in the form of microwave
radiation induces the chemical reaction necessary
for the gluing process.
Certain nanoadditives in plastics can lead to distinct
improvements concerning processing properties in injection-molding
machines. Here, energy savings of up
to 20 percent are possible. Alternatively, the cycle time
can be reduced by up to 30 percent, thereby increasing
the throughput. Molding tools can be designed more
easily and new components can be built with thinner
walls, allowing for substantial material savings. Furthermore,
the number of rejects is reduced, particularly
in highly stressed parts such as housings and the functional
elements of electric drives, in windscreen wiper
arms, door handles, reflectors, mirror systems, joining
elements, sunroof elements, in boxes oflocking systems,
and in many more applications.
Practically all of the physical and chemical properties
of polymers can be modified using fillers. The motivation
behind this is to considerably improve properties,
such as scratch resistance, or to achieve higher mechanical
stability. The latest developments make it possible to
replace conventional car windows with plastic, coated
on the nanometer scale. In doing so, the focus is placed
on the development of transparent, light, scratch-resistant,
and, at the same time, stiff materials. Another possibility
to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and
to increase energy efficiency is to coat cylinder tracks
nanotechnologically. Thus, the high loss resulting from
friction in today's engines can be significantly reduced.
Almost all automotive manufacturers are currently performing
research and development regarding fuel cells
as alternative drive and supply unit for car electronics.
Here, nanotechnologies can also give decisive advantages.
Examples include the cell electrode, the diffusion
membrane, or systems for hydrogen storage.
Sensors based on the Giant Magneto Resistance
(GMR, that is, a significant decrease- typically 10 to
80 percent-in electrical resistance in the presence of a
magnetic field) are currently used in increasing amounts
due to the realization of a noncontact measurement.
They can rather sensitively identify the strength and direction
of magnetic fields, and are therefore capable of
being incorporated into automobiles for the determination
of a rotational speed by counting ferromagnetic
marks, such as the teeth of a passive gear wheel, of the
number of magnetic elements of a magnetized ring (rotation
of wheels). Additionally, GMR-based sensors can
act as position sensors (for example, on a valve actuator
stem, the turn of the steering wheel, or pedal position)
and linear sensors (e.g., liquid level indicator).
Environmental Technology
Until recently, environmental technology did not represent
a direct driving force concerning nanotechnology
research. Nevertheless, many technological innovations
are envisaged to occur due to the particular properties
of nanoscaled objects. Their mechanical, chemical, and
biological functionalities, as well as geometrical properties,
are capable to improve various applications of
environmental technology, such as in filtration, catalysis,
or sensor technologies. Additionally, environmental
technology can indirectly benefit from different fields of
application, such as surfaces with recognized environmentally
friendly, easy-to-clean properties.
Nanoproducts in Medicine
Nanoscaled products in medicine become relevant in
fields where molecular understanding of cell functions