Nanotech Demystified: nanomaterials

Nanotechnology deals with the control of matter at a molecular or atomic level; a scale at which materials demonstrate properties they wouldn’t on a larger scale. Nanotechnology has applications in medicine, electronics and it also promises amongst many things a new frontier of engineering and material science.

As mentioned entire the properties of materials differ at a nanoscale so certain elements are much stronger, lighter or more magnetic at the nano-level. Carbon nanotubes are a good example of such materials; they’re cylindrical structures that are quite strong and can be used to build a variety of products. Most aircrafts are built with nano-engineered substances which basically means they’re much lighter and equally quite robust.

Nanomaterials also prove useful in the world of energy; they’re already enhancing solar power and they’re helping us to create more long lasting batteries which are more efficient and effective. If such materials are used in construction we may even possibly see the rise of self-healing homes or furniture with unbelievable durability if they’re adopted in the upholstery industry. Nanocomposites are another emerging trend; these are nano-enhanced materials that now have peculiar qualities beyond their initial state.

One common threat and challenge with most useful materials are the negative ripple effects they have on our environment. Interestingly, when it comes to nanotechnology, instead of polluting our surrounding it contrarily helps us to make it much better. Nanofiltration promises to offer an innovatively new and way of purifying water and even the very air we breathe!