The future is in the detail

Nanotechnology is not some fashionable label, like wellness or feng shui, often profligately thrown about by the media as a synonym for modernity. Behind nanotechnology are individuals giving consideration to the world of tomorrow. Although the nanoworld is hidden from our eyes without the aid of modern high-performance microscopes, this technology holds an important place in the future of society and industry. Nanos is Greek for "dwarf". This tiny world is measured in millionths of a metre – nanometres (nm). Structures less than 100 nm in size belong to the world of nanotechnology. To give you an idea of how tiny this is, a nanometre compared to a metre is the equivalent of a hazelnut compared to the earth. There are two ways of entering the nanoworld – either by miniaturising objects down to the required size or by building up objects from individual atoms or compounds using controlled chemical reactions in liquids and gases.

Nanotechnology is in fact nothing new. Nanostructures were used – albeit unknowingly – in both ancient and mediaeval times. The ancient Egyptians used nanoscale soot particles for mixing their inks and the Romans used nanoparticles to manufacture crockery – extremely small clay particles made the surface of pots especially hard and water-repellent. These kind of water-repellent properties are famous today as the lotus effect and can be used in shower cubicles. There are other products making use of nanoscale materials which make our everyday lives easier – products such as high protection factor sun creams, non-drip paints or cable sheaths with integral fire-proofing. 

The benefits of nanotechnologies arise from the fact that extremely small particles or structures often have properties which can’t be observed in larger objects – because nanostructures have a much larger surface area compared to their volume than larger structures. The larger the surface, the greater the chemical and physical interactions with the environment. Depending on their size, shape and composition, these materials may suddenly conduct electric currents, become magnetic as required, be stable at high temperatures, be harder to deform or become viscous under selected conditions. New colour effects can also be obtained. 

The wide-ranging possibilities offered by nanotechnology mean that it is finding ever new areas of use – from electricity generation to communications technology to medicine. Nanotechnology thus needs to be understood as a collective term, which encompasses a range of research activities, technologies and products.

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Making the impossible possible - with tiny particles

German chemical companies are currently mainly researching and manufacturing surfaces with nanostructures and nanoparticles. Nanomaterials already offer many advantages – and research points to almost unimaginable future possibilities which are, however, tantalisingly close. Nanotechnology will simplify tiresome house work, for example with dirt-repellent ovens and baking trays, awnings, windows and facades, thanks to nanocoatings. Surfaces will be more scratch-proof and it will be possible to develop more efficient, safer storage media for electricity or gases.

Glowing nanocrystals are used as markers to follow the processes of life in individual cells. ‘Biochips’ – fingernail-sized titration plates for hundreds of different genetic material or protein samples – allow diagnosis at the molecular level. Nanoparticles and nanocontainers offer promising opportunities for targeting delivery of new medicines to diseased tissues. Medical research is being carried out into targeted obliteration of tumours and into medications with fewer side-effects. It may soon be possible to repair dental caries using biological tooth materials. In short, things that we can as yet barely even imagine are suddenly becoming achievable.

Nanotechnology as an economic motor

The research and development of nanomaterials has a global effect on many industries. These include medicine, cosmetics, car design, electronics and energy and environmental technology. The economic opportunities have been recognised by all the major industrial nations since the 1990s. Huge sums are therefore flowing into nano research. In 2004, for example, public sponsorship of nanotechnology amounted to 1,200 million euros in the US, 750 million euros in Japan and 1,290 million euros in the EU. 

Germany is in third spot with regard to global patent applications in the nanotechnology field. Nanotechnology is also gaining in importance for the German economy. Already in Germany there are around 550 nanotech companies employing around 50,000 people.

Nanomaterials may facilitate manufacturing processes or improve specific product properties, but they can often also lead to completely new end products. For this reason it is difficult to produce absolute figures for its economic significance. Turnover in the car industry, for example, depends on several factors. It is not possible to determine the contribution of nano-based products, such as scratch-resistant paints, lighter and stronger plastic components and anti-reflective dashboard glass, individually.