Innovation in Nanotechnology

A company called QuantumSphere has invented a machine that can convert metal wire or metal power into particles 10 nanometers wide. These nano-metals have questionable marketable use, so the company is currently searching for potential buyers. There are features that may make nano-metals attractive to manufacturers. For example, one gram of the nano-metal has as much surface area as a soccer field. When the surface area of any material is increase, so is the ability for it to reach with oxygen. Therefore, there may be potential for nano-metals additives in fuel. Another idea is to add silver nano particles to military uniforms since silver kills germs. Copper nano particles can be added to ink so it is possible to print out a circuit. There is also the possibility to replace expensive platinum with nano-cobalt in fuel cells. There are many practical material science applications for nano-metals, but getting industries to make the switch will be the challenge.  Read the full article in Mechanical Engineering.

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