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Nanotechnology

The itty bitty auto revolution

Scientists, using new processes and equipment, are now able to get right down to the molecular level of a material and manipulate the atoms and molecules to make better, stronger or entirely new materials. The new science, nanotechnology, gets its name from the Greek word 'nanos' which means dwarf. But to scientists, nano means one-billionth of something. A human hair for instance is 50,000 nanometers across. Working on this tiny scale enables scientists to manipulate the characteristics of a material, like paint, to get a tougher, shinier and easier to clean surface. Nanotechnology is already producing better materials in today's automobiles.

Nano-Nano

Nano-improved paints were used on 2003 Mercedes-Benz vehicles to produce a finish that is much harder to scratch and keeps its showroom shine years longer. Mercedes Benz is using a clear nano-lacquer as the final coat. Engineers added tiny, microscopic ceramic particles to the paint that are tens of thousands times thinner than a human hair. When the car body is placed inside the paint shop ovens, the particles cross-link into a dense network. The tiny, microscopic ceramic particles enhance the scratch resistance of this clear lacquer. Using tests that simulate 100 regular car washes, where microscopic dirt adds tiny scratches to regular paint jobs, the nano-improved paint held its shine while regular paint began to dull. Gloss gauges showed regular paint at only 35 percent while the nano paint rated 72 percent on the gloss scale.

Magic Paint

Stefan Langenfeld, a nanotechnology specialist at Volkswagen says the automaker is working on paints that are too slippery to allow dirt to stick to their surface. Further down the pipeline is a "self healing" paint that could repair its own scratches. Even farther down the line is a paint that can change its color. Say you buy a blue car but feel like driving a red one, this paint could accomplish that chameleon switch. Langenfeld says VW is pursuing nanotechnology because it offers improvements in safety, fuel consumption and customer convenience.

Volkswagen is also exploring nanotechnology to develop auto glass which can be switched on to filter out heat and eliminate the "oven-effect" when a car is parked in the summer sun. Under the hood, the automaker is also developing nano materials that will cut down on friction in engine parts cutting oil use and extending the life of the engine. VW's on the road already carry nanotech in anti-reflective coatings on the dashboard and instrument panel of the vehicles to reduce glare. The automaker's rear view mirrors use nanotech materials to automatically darken when closing vehicles' headlights hit the mirrors.

Mr. Fantastic

Will Rodgers, staff scientist in GM's research and development division, is working on nanocomposites which add nano materials to plastics. The step assist on the 2002 GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro vans was the first commercial automotive exterior application of a nanocomposite. Plastics used in auto applications must have "filler" added to reinforce them or they become too brittle. The pre-nano fillers made up 25 percent of the material. Nano fillers give the same toughening effect with only 2.5 percent of filler. The nano fillers also add a high gloss to the material that is resistant to scratches. "We have not had one warranty complaint on the material," Rodgers said. The nano composite was also used on the Hummer H2 SUT in the cargo bed for the trim, center bridge, sail panel and box rail protector.

"Our next applications for nanocomposite materials will be in exterior claddings, interior parts and in non-support trim," Rodgers said. When nanocomposites are used in the interior it will make recycling easier. Because all of the interior pieces would be nanocomposites, they could all be recycled using the same process. Now there are seven different recycling procedures for the varying interior materials.

Rodgers foresees a time in the future when auto bodies can be molded in one piece from nano enhanced plastics. That would mean much lighter auto bodies and greater fuel savings. But that is far in the future. Today, the nanocomposites are saving money on warranty and the nano-enhanced plastic molds more reliably creating far fewer rejected parts.

Nano Wave

The National Institute of Standards and Technology calls nanotechnology a "revolution that will deliver wave after wave of innovative products and services." There are 1,700 companies in 34 nations pursing commercial applications of nanotechnology.

Some of these nano materials will make owning a car easier. For instance, some metal powders at the nano scale can turn up the rate of oxidation of organic materials. Manufacturers are investigating glass with special coatings made from these powders which will be "self cleaning." This glass will rapidly oxidize dirt particles and the dirt will wash away with the rain.

Nanostellar, a private lab in California, is working on nano particles that can replace the platinium used in catalytic converters. Platinum is a rare metal and adds a high price tag to each catalytic converter. The nano metal that Nanostellar is working on could cut the cost of a catalytic converter by 90 percent and actually work better.

Incorporating nanomaterials as fuel additives could increase fuel and engine efficiency to significantly higher levels than those achieved by conventional fuel filters.

"Legal challenges such as emissions, recycling and safety are key drivers that have enabled new technology to be incorporated in the automotive sector," said Frost & Sullivan Analyst Hrishikesh Bidwe. "These issues have all been addressed by nanotechnology and will provide immense benefits with its potential and innovative solutions for creating a greener and safer vehicle for future generations."

Governments all over the world are spending a great deal of money on nanotechnology research. The National Science Foundation (NSF) predicts that nanotech innovations will create a $1 trillion business within the next 10 to 15 years. Congress authorized $2.36 billion to be spent through 2006 on nanotechnology programs in various government agencies. In addition, the 2004 Federal Budget provided $847 million for the multi-agency National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), created by President Clinton in 2000 to advance the understanding of nanotechnology to contribute to improvements in medicine, manufacturing, materials, information technology, and environmental technology.