At first, I thought that nanotechnology was still in a very
experimental stage. Although the field
itself is still in its infancy, it turns out that nanotechnology is currently
used in many products and applications.
One such product is self-cleaning glass, where natural light
and rain water keep the glass oil and grease free. Self-cleaning glass works in two stages. The first is a photocatalytic stage, in which
oil and grease are broken down by interaction with natural UV light. This process was made possible by the
restructuring of titanium dioxide molecules at the nanoscale. (http://www.photocoat.com/What_is_Photocatalyst.html) The next step is hydrophilic, in which the water
particles slide off the glass easily as opposed to forming water droplets and
sticking to the glass (http://www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk/how-it-works/). Whether a material is hydrophilic or
hydrophobic depends on the contact angles between the surface and the water
molecules at the nanoscale (http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/hydrophobic-and-hydrophilic-explained-0716.html). The glass material is modified at the
nanoscale to make it hydrophilic.
Self-cleaning vs. convential glass (http://www.safetyglass.com.vn/images/self-cleaning-glass.jpg)
Nanoclay is another material that was developed using nanotechnology and used in several products. Nanoclay
is a one-nanometer thick material that can, among other things, improve the gas
barrier properties of plastics. (http://www.nanoclay.com/) For this reason nanoclay is used in some
plastic beer bottles to reduce the amount of CO2 that escapes from
the bottle (http://www.ptonline.com/articles/prospects-brighten-for-pet-beer-bottles).
Some plastic beer bottles use nanoclay to reduce the amount
of CO2 that escapes from the bottle.
It is clear that nanotechnology is a growing field, yet is
still misunderstood by the masses. How
can knowledge of nanotechnology be brought to the masses? I believe that nanotech art exhibits such as
Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau’s Nano-Scape are a great way of
educating the public. In Nano-Scape, a
wireless magnetic force-feedback interface allows users to touch invisible nano
particles, and modify its shape. This
allows to the users to learn about nano-technology in a hands on way. (http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology)
Users interacting with nano-scape. (http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology)
Works Cited
"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Artabase.
Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.
Chandler, David L. "Explained: Hydrophobic
and Hydrophilic." MIT's News Office. 15 July 2013. Web. 24
Nov. 2013.
<http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/hydrophobic-and-hydrophilic-explained-0716.html>.
"How Self-Cleaning Glass Works." Pilkington
Activ™ Self-cleaning Glass. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk/how-it-works/>.
Knights, Mikell. "Prospects Brighten for
PET Beer Bottles : Plastics Technology." Plastics Technology.
Jan. 2000. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.ptonline.com/articles/prospects-brighten-for-pet-beer-bottles>.
"Organoclays Nanoclay Additives for
Reinforced Plastics." Nanoclay.com. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.nanoclay.com/>.
"What Is Photocatalyst." Photocoat.
Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.photocoat.com/What_is_Photocatalyst.html>.
Arthur,
ReplyDeleteYour blog post this past week was very interesting. You provided really good examples of how Nanotechnology is involved in many different products. I specifically found the example of "Nano-Scape" to be really fascinating. This project truly encompasses both art and Nanotechnology. I agree with you that although Nanotechnology is growing, many people are still unaware of how much it benefits many aspects of our life. I think this weeks lectures really helped open my eyes to see the positive impact of Nanotechnology. Good job on your posting!