Nanotechnology: The Rubber (Finally) Meets the Road

Editorial: Nanotechnology: The Rubber (Finally) Meets the Road

By Paul Nesdore
January/February 2008

Starting from less than front-page applications like non-absorbent clothing (spill red wine on your necktie and it runs right off ), water-free auto windshields (no need for wipers), and airbag sensors, nanotechnology is beginning to fulfill its promises in many areas; and the world of gases is no exception.

An excellent example of the nano-gas connection is the work being done by Applied Nanotech (ANI)*, a company I have been talking with for a number of years about their cutting-edge research and products. My initial conversation, over a year ago, with Dr. Zvi Yaniv, President and COO of ANI, was concerning CO2 and O2 sensors used inside of shipping containers to detect whether a human was concealed. Recently, ANI released information on their ongoing foray into the nanoworld [See News, this issue, page 6] where a further development is taking place with their PhotoScrub® product, a thin film coating on a flexible fiberglass cloth that decomposes organic pollutants at the molecular level in gases and liquids.

The principle of PhotoScrub is based on the catalytic effect of UV light on titanium oxide, TiO2. While this phenomenon was known earlier, by introducing nanophase material as ANI did and creating crystalline columns of TiO2 , the surface area is significantly increased making the catalytic effect much stronger. Because of this, Dr. Yaniv explains, “We will be able to destroy larger organisms.”

The principle is that when UV light impinges on the surface, a disassociation occurs with organic molecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, resulting in water and carbon dioxide. “Also, it should be noted, that if you can monitor the water and the amount of CO2 created, it becomes a good sensor,” explains Yaniv.

The application to homeland security is important. Among other pathogens, this process can also destroy anthrax. PhotoScrub was tested with actual anthrax (not a surrogate) with excellent results. Tests showed a 99.4% reduction of anthrax spores in less than 20 minutes in a laboratory HVAC setup. Phase II of ANI’s work on PhotoScrub will involve the creation of a unit that can be installed in air ducts of HVAC systems.

Another interesting project that ANI is involved in relates to the ionization process based on electron emission from carbon nanotubes (CNT). “Several years ago we were the first in the world to provide an electron source based on CNT,” relays Yaniv. The history of CNT and ionization goes back about 10 years ago, when as Yaniv explains, advancement was stymied because everyone believed you needed a very high vacuum to produce the emissions. Now ANI has shown, that is not necessary.

Sionex Corporation is partnering with ANI to replace a radioactive ion source in a particular Sionex detection device using electron emission from CNT. Chief Scientist at Sionex, Dr. Erkinjon Nazarov explains, “The project is the result of applying sound fundamental scientific principles to very sound high technology. The result is the stable production of ions, both positive and negative, at atmospheric pressure without the need for a radioactive source, conventional plasma, or corona discharge technologies.”The elimination of the radioactive source is especially important to Homeland Security, reducing the potential proliferation of radioactive materials that could be used in “dirty bombs.”

Future applications are many, perhaps most importantly, detectors. “With the ionized particles, you can attract them, differentiate by mass; you can differentiate by electrical charge—and suddenly you have a beautiful nano-mechanism for sensing,” quotes Yaniv.

So where is nanotechnology headed now? Yaniv looks at the development of nano-science as “enormous.” “It will be in facilitating products, not pure ‘nano-products.’ Yaniv even expands this further. “Is there a product that does not use natural science (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics) on the market?” Nanotechnology he explains, is just natural science

Paul Nesdore

*ANI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nano-Proprietary Inc. ANI contact: Lauren Johnson at 512-339-5020 or ljohnson@appliednanotech.net

http://www.gasesmag.com/articles.asp?pid=22

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