Home > Press > Nanotech for smarter planes and cars, better healthcare and helpful textiles
![]() |
Abstract:
NANO Magazine Issue 18 released
The needs of society are driving the nano revolution, with applications springing up anywhere they will have societal benefit. The latest issue of NANO Magazine looks at a number of these benefits in different sectors, including the automotive industry, transport, medicine, food, textiles and inket devices.
Nano for cars and transport
Societal benefits are being embraced by the automotive industry in its quest to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The effect of this new strategic direction is apparent to us all. Nanotechnology has an important role to play, from new nanocomposites to reduce car body weight, to better batteries that enable high performance hybrid cars, and sensor techniques that reduce fuel waste.
Nanotechnology in cars has many drivers - passenger safety (better tyres, airbags), competitiveness in the form of more features for less money (sensors for car 'health' monitoring), liability issues (crash avoidance sensors), style (colour changing paints, stay-clean seat fabrics), and sustainability (lighter-weight structural materials, super efficient batteries for hybrid vehicles).
The theme of advanced technology for transport continues with an article by Dr Bojan Boskovic of Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology on the remarkable properties of carbon nanotubes, and how these properties make them excellent candidates for a range of electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical applications.
To be slightly ethnically biased, Italians do seem to be able to combine technology, design and style. Pietro Perlo, Research Director at Fiat, interviewed in this issue, although a dyed-in-the wool 'technofreak', does not compromise one iota on style. From his earliest days Dr Perlo perceived the automotive industry as the ideal vehicle for a physicist with ideas, and from the day he joined Fiat, this excitement and stimulation has been part of his daily life. Read about Dr Perlo's perpetual interest in realising the sustainable car, extreme cycling and canine communication!
On the themes of technology and style, our featured country is Italy, which is no laggard on the nanotechnology front. Italy is also rich in nano research centres of quality, autonomous and allied to academic institutions. These are listed, with their areas of specialization and expertise.
Nanofunctionalised Textiles
The textile industry is amongst the earliest adopters of new technology, and are certainly in the vanguard when it comes to nanotechnology. n this issue, Professor M D Teli from the Department of Fibres and Textile Processing Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, writes on nanofunctionalised textiles, and their huge potential for growth. He discusses various important attributes that nano can impart to textiles such as wrinkle resistance, antistatic properties, UV resistance, and their benefits for both manufacturers and users.
Inkjet
Inkjet technology, a technology enabled by nano, is endlessly fascinating, and some of its potential is explored in this issue. Perhaps because it is ubiquitous, cheap and deceptively simple, it can sometimes be overlooked for the amazing opportunities it opens up in the nano, micro and macro worlds. Colour printing on fabrics, using inkjet technology, is resource and cost effective; similarly with printing electric circuits. As printing can be in 3-D as well as 2-D, inkjet printing enables micro and nanostructured devices to be easily an cheaply realised, and it can be used to print next generation, flexible, low cost light emitting displays on many substrates, offering almost infinite possibilities.
NanoFood
Food security is an increasingly serious issue for many nations. Iran is no exception. Its leaders are committed to exploring the benefits of nanotechnology for agriculture and food, but understand that public perception is the key to the acceptance or otherwise of any new technology. To this end, a study of researchers working on nanotechnology for the agrifood industry was undertaken, as their views are key to influencing public acceptance. Read more about this novel research and its illuminating and important conclusions.
Medicine
Lab-on-a-chip has never quite realised its potential, because of the difficulties in controlling and analysing individual droplets in the system. Katherine Elvira from Imperial College writes about a breakthrough which has given the lab-on-a-chip concept a new lease of life. A new technique enables droplets to be created on a flat surface, and precisely manipulated.
Dr Adnan Nasir from the Department of Dermatology, UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina, examines nano for dermatological applications in detail. He discusses the role of nanotechnology in eczema and melanoma treatments, and how skin and other organs might be more readily cultured using nanotechnology. In the light of these potential benefits, Dr Nasir discusses possible risks from nanoparticles, and how these might be addressed.
Still on the subject of medicine, needle-less administrations of vaccines is highly desirable for cost and other considerations. A research group in Australia has perfected the Nanopatch, which has tiny 'bristles' that can be impregnated with vaccine. This has implications for the safer, cheaper and more effective administration of vaccines, particularly applicable in the poorer regions of the planet.
Nanotechnology Education
On the issue of training, Dr Denis Koltsov, responsible for developing a nanotechnology Masters course at Lancaster University in the UK, writes about the need for a trained workforce if we are to realise the promise of nanotechnology. Although we may be experiencing a recession now, Denis argues, hi-tech will be the route to future economic success, and it is time to invest now in the training of professional and technical experts with the right skills to meet future challenges.
Subscribe
An online subscription to NANO Magazine costs just £24 and gives you full access to the stellar content of the magazine, and the archive of past issues.
See more at www.nanomagazine.co.uk
Get Involved
If you are interested in getting involved with NANO Magazine, you can contact the Assistant Editor, Fraser Shand at For information about how the magazine can help you promote your business or event contact
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Fraser Shand
Copyright © NANO Magazine
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related News Press |
News and information
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Quantum computers simulate fundamental physics: shedding light on the building blocks of nature June 6th, 2025
A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Academic/Education
Rice University launches Rice Synthetic Biology Institute to improve lives January 12th, 2024
Multi-institution, $4.6 million NSF grant to fund nanotechnology training September 9th, 2022
Nanotubes/Buckyballs/Fullerenes/Nanorods/Nanostrings
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Chainmail-like material could be the future of armor: First 2D mechanically interlocked polymer exhibits exceptional flexibility and strength January 17th, 2025
Innovative biomimetic superhydrophobic coating combines repair and buffering properties for superior anti-erosion December 13th, 2024
Nanomedicine
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers several steps closer to harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer June 6th, 2025
Cambridge chemists discover simple way to build bigger molecules – one carbon at a time June 6th, 2025
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Self-propelled protein-based nanomotors for enhanced cancer therapy by inducing ferroptosis June 6th, 2025
Sensors
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance
Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025
A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025
Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025
Announcements
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Quantum computers simulate fundamental physics: shedding light on the building blocks of nature June 6th, 2025
A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Cambridge chemists discover simple way to build bigger molecules – one carbon at a time June 6th, 2025
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Quantum computers simulate fundamental physics: shedding light on the building blocks of nature June 6th, 2025
A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025
Food/Agriculture/Supplements
SMART researchers pioneer first-of-its-kind nanosensor for real-time iron detection in plants February 28th, 2025
Silver nanoparticles: guaranteeing antimicrobial safe-tea November 17th, 2023
Night-time radiative warming using the atmosphere November 17th, 2023
Environment
Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025
Onion-like nanoparticles found in aircraft exhaust May 14th, 2025
SMART researchers pioneer first-of-its-kind nanosensor for real-time iron detection in plants February 28th, 2025
Energy
KAIST researchers introduce new and improved, next-generation perovskite solar cell November 8th, 2024
Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures August 16th, 2024
Groundbreaking precision in single-molecule optoelectronics August 16th, 2024
Automotive/Transportation
Leading the charge to better batteries February 28th, 2025
Textiles/Clothing
Protective equipment with graphene nanotubes meets the strictest ESD safety standards March 25th, 2022
Polymer fibers with graphene nanotubes make it possible to heat hard-to-reach, complex-shaped items February 11th, 2022
Flexible material shows potential for use in fabrics to heat, cool July 3rd, 2020
Safety-Nanoparticles/Risk management
Onion-like nanoparticles found in aircraft exhaust May 14th, 2025
Closing the gaps — MXene-coating filters can enhance performance and reusability February 28th, 2025
Battery Technology/Capacitors/Generators/Piezoelectrics/Thermoelectrics/Energy storage
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Leading the charge to better batteries February 28th, 2025
Enhancing transverse thermoelectric conversion performance in magnetic materials with tilted structural design: A new approach to developing practical thermoelectric technologies December 13th, 2024
Nanobiotechnology
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers several steps closer to harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer June 6th, 2025
Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025
Self-propelled protein-based nanomotors for enhanced cancer therapy by inducing ferroptosis June 6th, 2025
Printing/Lithography/Inkjet/Inks/Bio-printing/Dyes
Presenting: Ultrasound-based printing of 3D materials—potentially inside the body December 8th, 2023
Simple ballpoint pen can write custom LEDs August 11th, 2023
Disposable electronics on a simple sheet of paper October 7th, 2022
![]() |
||
![]() |
||
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
![]() |
![]() |
||
Premium Products | ||
![]() |
||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
![]() |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
![]() |