Nanotechnology for producing clean technologies

Nanotechnology Development Blog

12 February 2008

A number of technologies are being used for producing and manufacturing number of items across the globe. Billions of amount being spent on using latest technologies for making them more environmental friendly. Lots of efforts are being taken for making zero pollution industries.

Nanotechnology has so far achieved many solutions but it is still unable to produce a few pollution free products. The scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has recently come up with a new clean technology.

Scientists has come up with a scientifically elegant way to produce ethylene. Ceramist Balu Balachandran and his research team has devised a high temperature membrane through which ethylene can be produced directly from ethane. This new membrane removes hydrogen from ethane and the technology is absolutely pollution free.

Nanomaterials as catalysts for fuel cells

Nanotechnology Development Blog

9 February 2008

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have carried out research on nanomaterials including gold, oxygen, titanium and cerium for the possible use of next generation catalysts for fuel cells. Fuel cells are new generation energy sources where hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water and energy.

Fuel cells are becoming attractive source of producing energy due to their higher energy effeciency and zero emission. he major challenge for scientists is to reduce the carbon monooxide in hydrogen, which is formed during production ofhydrogen. Carbon monooxide acts as poison to expensive catalysts used in fuel cells.

Water-gas shift (WGS) reactions important for obtaining pure hydrogen as these reactions can convert carbon monooxide to carbon dioxide. Carbon monooxide reacts with water to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have used different combinations of nanomaterials as WGS catalysts. Researchers have found that gold-cerium oxide and gold-titanium oxide are the best catalysts and these are better than the conventional cerium and titanium catalysts.

Impact of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on electrical properties of polymers

Nanotechnology Development Blog

7 February 2008

Scientists at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have carried out a study on carbon nanotubes/polypropylene composits and found that the electrical properties of the composite can be changed dramatically.

Scientists have found that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can act as an additive for polymers and a relatively low concentration of it can change the electrical conductivity of the polymer. The technique will be useful in many applications including antennas, aircraft components, electrical packaging, sensors, anti-static hoses and automotive paints.

Researchers at NIST found that electrical properties of conductor depend on composite flow and once the flow is removed, the nanoscale material revers back to its original conductivity. The researchers has proposed a mathematical model for predicting the electrical conductivity behavior of the composite under theoritical conditions.

Possible use of carbon nanotube for storing hydrogen

Nanotechnology Development Blog

4 February 2008

Hydrogen is one of the modern fuel and it can be produced from water and it is used as fuel cells for generating electricity or running vehicles. One of the major challenge for fuel cell is the storage device. A number of research activities are going on for finding carbon nanotube for storing and transporting hydrogen gas.

At present hydrogen is stored in absorbed form and it is released at an appropriate rate as and when it is required. There has been considerable research and Dillon and his teams claimed that single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) can successfully store hydrogen. Scientists proposed that hydrogen in carbon nanotube is stored by physisorption and chemisorption.

Recent study suggest that the Density Function Theory (DFT) estimates a potential up to 7.5% wt. hydrogen storage capacity in single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), which is much higher than the 6% wt. of hydrogen in hydrogen storage capacity to be considered for economical and technical implementation as recommended by DOE.

Future sales of nanoparticles in Russia

Nanotechnology Development Blog

4 February 2008

The Russian government has an ambitious plan to achieve sales of around 900 rubles in the country’s fast growing nanotechnology sector by the year 2015. The last year’s sale in this sector was only 7 million rubles.

At present, Russia is conducting various research activities in nanotechnology sector and is willing to commercialize various equipments and materials. The major portion of the sales is expected to come through materials and equipments.

High ambitious plan of achieving 130 fold sales in this fast growing sector will benefit many organizations working in this area. The government has also a plan to commercialize the various technologies so far available only at pilot scale.

Concerns for nanoparticles being used in cosmetics

Nanotechnology Development Blog

4 February 2008

Cosmetic and beauty products are widely used for making look and appearance better. These products especially skincare products contains lots of ingredient and the latest concern about these products is that these contains man made nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are so tiny that there is a possibility of absorbing these particles deep into the skin. Recently Soil Association has decided to ban these products. After ban, no products containing nanoparticles will be certified for skincare or cosmetic application. Even the ban will put a hold on certification of certain other clothing and food products containing nanoparticles.

With the high beneficial research in the area of nanotechnology, there is high concern about the health hazard associated with the nanoparticles as these can permeate cell membrane in humans. Many multinationals are now using these nanoparticles in their skincare formulations and that too without having any level to warn consumers.

Event: 9th Trends in Nanotechnology International Conference - Oviedo, Spain

TNT

Auditorio Principe Felipe - September 01-05, 2008

TNT2008 is been launched following the overwhelming success of earlier Nanotechnology Conferences. The TNT2008 edition (September 01-05, 2008) will be held in the "Auditorio Principe Felipe" facilities (Oviedo, Spain). This high-level scientific meeting series aims to present a broad range of current research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology as well as related policies (European Commission, etc.) or other kind of initiatives (iNANO, FinNano, GDR-E, etc.). TNT events have demonstrated that they are particularly effective in transmitting information and establishing contacts among workers in this field.
The TNT2008 structure will keep the fundamental features of the previous editions, providing a unique opportunity for broad interaction.

Keynotes:

Jean-Christophe Charlier (University of Louvain, Belgium)
Andre Geim (University of Manchester, UK)
Kornelius Knielsch (University of Hamburg, Germany)
Uzi Landman (Georgia Tech. Institute, USA)
Luis M. Liz-Marzan (Universidad de Vigo, Spain)
Cefe Lopez (ICMM-CSIC, Spain)
Brahim Lounis (Université Bordeaux 1 and CNRS, France)
Neil Mathur (University of Cambridge, UK)
Emilio Mendez (Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA)
Marc in het Panhuis (University of Wollongong, Australia)
Alain Schuhl (SPINTEC, France)
Ivan Schuller (University of California, USA)
Zhong Lin Wang (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA)

Deadlines:

Abstract Submission (Oral request) 9 May 2008
Student Grant (Travel bursary) Request 19 May 2008
Author Submission Acceptance Notification 26 May 2008
Student Grant Notification 26 May 2008
Early Bird Registration Fee 09 June 2008
Abstract Submission (Poster request) 31 July 2008
Manuscript Submission (PSSa) 30 Sep 2008

Contact:

Antonio Correia
Fundacion PHANTOMS
Madrid Science Park / Parque Científico de Madrid
Pabellón C, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo Km 15
Campus de Cantoblanco-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain