Understanding Nanotechnology

I came across a great website called Understanding Nanotechnology that does an excellent job explaining nanotechnology and its various applications. Check it out:

Antimicrobial Keyboard

Recent microbiology studies have found that more bacteria are on keyboards than on toilet seats. For example see:
Keyboards 'Dirtier than a toilet'
Your Keyboard: Dirtier Than a Toilet

Seal Shield has addressed this problem, by incorporating nanotechnology. For more information about their technology, see http://www.sealshield.com/silversealtechnology.htm.

Statistics from Health News Digest Article on Nanotechnology (From "Nanotechnology Forges Ahead, Despite Health and Environmental Unknowns"):

• 600 products available from stores incorporate nanotechnology.
• World Nanotechnology Market in 2007 was estimated at $50 Billion.
• Estimated 2008 sales of $150 Billion.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) predicts that the market could exceed $1 Trillion by 2015.
  

Quotes from the article:
"Upwards of 600 products on store shelves today contain them, including transparent sunscreen, lipsticks, anti-aging creams and even food products."

"Taken together, the evidence suggests considerable uncertainty about the use of nano-ingredients in consumer products. It’s just not known if they’re safe, which begs the question: Why have we gone ahead and approved them for commercial use? Indeed, we may look back at our current decade and see it, for better or worse, as a time when tiny things caused big and momentous changes in our lives. "

Source - http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Environment_380/Nano.shtml

Everyday Nanotech Inventory

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is now over four years old and has an inventory of 807 products in their consumer nanotechnology category. Some interesting products:

• NanoBreeze Air Purifier
• 2008 FX Cruiser SHO - hulls and decks of water craft manufactured from nanotech
  
• AMD 45 nm processor
• Canola Active Oil - uses micelles

Everday Nanotechnology = Consumer Nanotechnology ??

Since I originally started talking about everyday nanotechnology (everydaynano.com was founded in September of 2003), I have been hoping to see more people discss the topic.

I feel like the discussion is warming up. It also helps to search google for "Consumer Nanotechnology" and not just "Everyday Nanotechnology". Here are some interesting links/articles to check out:

1. National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network: Real World Applications of Nanotechnology.
2. Nano Science and Technology Institute: Increased use of Nano technology in consumer products.
3. Nanovip.com: High Speed, Low Temperature Nano Ink Developed for Consumer Electronics
4. electronics.ca: Global Value of the Nanotechnology Inputs Used to Produce Consumer Products to Reach $10.5 Billion by 2010.

Nanobattery

Now here is a cool nano application. Several groups have been working on a nanobattery. The first time I heard of the idea was from a Febuary 2006 Scientific American article. In the article they describe a smart nanobattery that can be turned off and on, which is being developed by mPhase (http://www.mphasetech.com/ OTCBB: XDSL).

Researches at Sandia National Labs are also working on a nanobattery with the hopes that it will be used to power an artificial retna.

Having batteries on a small scale and with the ability to turn them on and off, allows for longer lasting and more compact electronic devices.

Image from Sandia Labs

Everyday Nanotechnology Conference

Cleveland will be hosting "Nano Week" October 17-21. One of the events in the Nano week is a conference, Oct. 17-19, that focuses on three industry specific applications: Aerospace, automotive and consumer products. Companies like 3M, Procter & Gamble, NanoDynamics, etc. will be presenting on consumer products. Click here for a schedule.

"Finally, a Nanotechnology Conference Completely Dedicated to Today's Product Applications.
Get beyond the research. Beyond the hype. And explore the next generation of products and applications that will transform the aerospace, automotive, and consumer product markets. Join us for the most applications-focused nanotechnology conference ever held, anywhere in the world.

With three industry-specific conference tracks, your entire day is focused on nanotechnology applications for your industry. Learn what major manufacturers and product developers are focused on and what products are coming next. There’s even a University Commercialization Showcase where you can make contacts and discuss application-needs with nanotechnology-transfer agents from top university research programs." (http://www.asminternational.org/nano/).

(Picture from http://www.asminternational.org/nano/consumer.htm)