Polymer nanocomposites comprise a polymer or copolymer with nanofillers or nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer matrix. Carbon nanotubes in this context can provide useful electronic properties, primarily for applications in lighting and display.
Adoption of electric vehicles has so far been restricted to city centers, because of limitations in battery technology. With the help of nanomaterials, that could all soon change.
By Will Soutter
15 Jan 2013
Researchers have successfully reported the production of a single atomic layer of silicon. The material has been dubbed silicene.
By Will Soutter
11 Jan 2013
Energy needs to be preserved and recycled to prevent wastage. Thermoelectric devices, enhanced by nanotechnology, can convert waste heat energy into useful electricity.
By Will Soutter
9 Jan 2013
The growing significance of nanotechnology has now led to the development of nanobubbles, which is drawing a lot of attention from a variety of fields. Nanobubbles play a vital role in many sectors that include scientific research, medical and food sectors.
By Will Soutter
7 Jan 2013
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a two-dimensional (2D) nanostructured material that has been used for many years as an industrial lubricant in its bulk form. The 2D form of the material was not discovered until 2011, when scientists succeeded in producing a transistor made from this new material.
By Will Soutter
3 Jan 2013
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) serve as an alternative carrier system for traditional colloidal carriers like polymeric microparticles, nanoparticles, liposomes and emulsions. SLNs act as a new colloidal drug carrier for intravenous applications.
By Will Soutter
20 Dec 2012
Nanopollution is a growing issue - we are already releasing a large amount of nanomaterials into the environment, and we do not have a strong idea how many of them will impact human health. Research is progressing rapidly, and hopefully we will build a picture of which materials need particular care and attention, and develop methods of dealing with them, before too much damage is done.
By Will Soutter
18 Dec 2012
For years, there has been a growing demand for materials that are lightweight with high strength. Metal matrix nanocomposites are often better in these areas than pure metals or alloys, and CNTs are an increasingly popular composite material.
Researchers are paying more and more attention to graphene derived materials which may be just as revolutionary as graphene itself.
By Will Soutter
12 Dec 2012