What is Nanotechnology?
In this exciting new science one could expect that there are many definitions for the word nanotechnology. This science is so vast that nanotechnology should really be called "nanotechnologies". The origins of this word come from the Greek language from the word ‘nan(n)os, meaning dwarf.
Whichever field of nanotechnology one is involved in; cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, energy or robotics this definition applies to all. The bottom line is that you have to start thinking small in this big revolution.
- Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating individual atoms & molecules to create new product solutions in many areas, such as Medicine, Chemistry, Optics, Materials, Mobility and much more.
- One nanometer is the billionth part of a meter, a "size" that can only be looked at under an electron microscope!
- Definition of nanometer: 1 nanometer (abb. 1nm) are 10-9 meters (or 1nm = 0,000000001 m). On such a scale, industrial technology is seen in a new light.
Nano History
If you think that nanotechnology is the lastest hype from the millenium you’ll be surprised to learn that many leading companies such as HP, Mercedes and L’Oreal have been active in the field for over a decade. One reason for their continued success is the fact that they have not ignored the wonders of nanotechnoly but embraced them.
In 1986 K. Eric Drexler coined the word in his spectacular book Engines of Creation helping to bring it further into the main stream. It was in 1974 that a Japanese professor used the term during an important engineering conference to describe ultra-fine machines.
Many scientists look at Richard Feynman as one of the founders of nanotechnology from his famous speech in 1959 "there’s plenty of room at the bottom" since it foretold many of today’s developments.
This very "room at the bottom" is where these opportunities are coming to light. In the eighties two scientist from IBM developed the scanning tunnelling microscope enabling scientists to not only observe atoms at the bottom but also manipulate them on a nanoscale. This is when scientists moved from looking to fabricating and exploiting nanotechnology.
How It Works
The area of nanotechnology which Matrix Nano is active in is classified as material science; specifically our focus is surfaces & coatings on the following different objects:
- Wood
- Stone
- Glass
- Plastic
- Metal & alloys
- Ceramics
- Textiles & leather
The result of our knowledge & experience in the area of surfaces & coatings is our ability to formulate a high-tech range of products capable of repelling dirt & water on all these different surfaces. Some people call this the Lotus Effect!
These intelligent products work in a 3 step process:
1. Organise & arrange themselves.
2. Bond to the surface & fill up the pores.
3. Become part of the surface itself.