Charging Ahead With Nanotechnology

Charging Ahead With Nanotechnology

With all of the technology that is being continuously introduced and used, it would only seem logical in our quest for a green world to apply some of the renewable energy efforts to this spectrum. That is exactly what some scientists are looking into with their research on how nanotechnology can be used with lithium batteries.

According to Science News, a report that will be published in International Journal of Nanomanufacturing asserts that “carbon nanotubes can prevent such batteries from losing their charge capacity over time.” The batteries they are speaking of are the lithium-based batteries that are found in commonly used devices such as MP3 players, laptop computers, and cell phones.

As any of us who partake of these various technologies are quite aware of, with continued use, the battery power just seems to lose its life. As the news story reports, elements such as hot and cold temperatures help this reduction process along even more. Scientists have been researching this degradation process for awhile, and have looked into silicon to replace the universally used lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the fast rate that silicon also degrades, they have had to search even further.

This is where nanotechnology comes into play. As Science News states, “Shengyang’s Hui-Ming Cheng and colleagues have turned to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to help them use silicon (Si) as the battery anode but avoid the problem of large volume change during alloying and de-alloying.” By introducing the carbon nanotubes to the silicon, they seem to be solving some of the problems that previously existed.

The whole process is quite amazing. “The researchers grew carbon nanotubes on the surface of tiny particles of silicon using a technique known as chemical vapor deposition in which a carbon-containing vapor decomposes and then condenses on the surface of the silicon particles forming the nanoscopic tubes. They then coated these particles with carbon released from sugar at a high temperature in a vacuum. A separate batch of silicon particles produced using sugar but without the CNTs was also prepared.”

The scientists used these two diverse batches and compared them. What they found was remarkable – the batch using the carbon produced a discharge capacity twice that of the one which only contained the silicon particles.

There seems to be many reasons that have prompted research into better material used to create batteries. Reports of fires found to be ignited by lithium-ion batteries, although rare, seem to have caused much attention to be placed on safer materials. The general complaint many have regarding the increased reduction of device batteries after continued use is likely another reason that prompted the research. Whatever the likely combination was, this new research could be monumental in how users of technological devices power up their gadgets.

Nanotechnology is not the only material researchers are using in their quest for a better battery, but it does seem to be one of the options that show much promise.

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The Role of Nanotechnology in Textile Chemicals Industry

The Role of Nanotechnology in Textile Chemicals Industry

The role of nanotechnology in textile industry has accelerated with a positive momentum during the recent past years. Textile companies have been spending ample in research and development activities in order to discover appropriate products, and add innovations to their existing ones. In fact, textile industry is the first manufacturing industry to come up with finished products that are enhanced through nanotechnology-based products. Nanotechnology has versatile applications in Textile Chemicals industry in manufacturing garments with stain resistance, flame retardant finishes, wrinkle resistance finishes, moisture management, antimicrobial qualities, UV protection, and soil release properties, etc.

Fibre2fashion has got feedback from the Schoeller Technologies AG, one of the leaders in Nanofinishes from the textile industry regarding the role of Nanotechnology in textile industry.

The leaves of certain plants always stay clean, because dirt cannot adhere to the finely- structured Surfaces and is easily washed off by rain.

The natural non-stick, and cleaning process, also known as the self-cleaning effect, is permanently transferred to the textile surface by means of nanotechnology.

The result is NanoSphere an ecologically clean textile finish, developed in accordance with the bluesign standard.

Water and stains have no chance:

Water and annoying stains have no chance on textiles with a NanoSphere finish. The nanotechnology-based textile impregnation is characterized by a high level of water resistance, a natural self-cleaning effect and a durable protective function.

Advantages:

• High level of water resistance

• Naturally self- cleaning

• Durable protective function

High level of water resistance:

On NanoSphere textiles, water drops, e.g. when it is raining steadily, runoff simply and reliably

Naturally self-cleaning:

Oil, dirt and dust do not adhere to the NanoSphere surface and can be rinsed off with water.

Durable protective function:

Due to the extremely high level of abrasion resistance, the NanoSphere protective function is retained even with heavy duty use, frequent washing or cleaning.

The NanoSphere-finish when compared to other traditional textile finishes has a very high level of both wet and dry abrasion resistance.

Durable protective function:

• Normal washing or dry cleaning.

• Garments with NanoSphere finish can be washed and dry cleaned very easily.

• After 50 washing cycles the function still remains.

• Fabric softeners or dryer sheets are not recommended.

• Ironing or Tumbling.

• Heat and ironing recommended for optimum function.

NanoSphere is based on blue sign standard:

This NanoSphere technology is based on the blue sign standard, and guarantees the highest possible exclusion of substances which are harmful to human so the environment and promotes the economical use of resources in manufacturing.

• Elimination of all problematic substances

• Nano particles are fixed into a coating matrix.

• First class hygienic working conditions.

NanoSphere advantages at a glance:

• Uniquely repels water and stains.

• High level of abrasion resistance.

• NanoSphere offers reliable protection and lots of comfort

• The function is maintained even after numerous washing or cleaning cycles.

• NanoSphere can be applied on all types of textiles (cotton, synthetics etc.)

• Look, feel and breath ability are not affected.

• Ecologically clean