Breakdown Cover Articles

Nano Technology and Cars

What is Nano Technology?

Nano Technology is a broadly scoped term that applies to technological developments on the nanometer scale. To put this in perspective, a nanometer is one millionth of a millimetre and an atom is just a few nanometres in diameter! Try visualizing it this way: look at a strand of your hair and you are looking at something that is 80,000 nanometres in diameter.

Stronger Than Steel - More Conductive than Copper

One of the most impressive nano-inventions is the nanotube. These tubes are "man-made" molecules that hold a lot of hope for future developments. A nanotube is 100 times stronger than steel, while being 6 times lighter. Moreover, these tubes are also able to transport heat and electricity better than copper.

Composite Plastic in Engines

Because of nanotubes' ability to conduct heat, they have the potential to function as heat pipes that could keep composite-plastic parts cool, even when they are part of a running engine.

Since plastic is easier to mould and manipulate, the ability to use it in engines will enable developers to create vehicle designs that were, before now, impossible.

Nano For Fuel Efficiency

The potential to build immensely strong, but exceedingly light materials is good news for the environment too. Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) is already working on nano composites that could be used in the manufacturing of cars.

Lighter cars mean that the engines will have to work less to generate movement, which means that less fuel will be consumed. Building lighter cars has been a long time dream, but before nano technology, lighter also meant less strong, and less safe. Now, these nano composites provide an opportunity to build cars that are safer and more fuel efficient.

Moving beyond fuel efficiency, super light vehicles will also open opportunities for vehicles that run on energy other than petrol. Electric cars have long been plagued by inefficient batteries and lengthy charging times, but as the vehicles grow lighter, the batteries will be able to provide movement for longer.

Moreover, nanotechnology has also been employed to improve batteries and their efficiency. Imagine a battery powered vehicle that can travel for 200 miles, recharge in less than 10 minutes, and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 10 second!

Scratch Resistant Finishes

The strength of nano composites is also lending itself to the creation of car finishes and paints that are virtually scratch resistant. Even better, these new paints also provide enhanced gloss, for more attractive appearances with less waxing.

This paint draws its strength from microscopic ceramic particles that are included in the molecular structure of the paint's binding agent.

As an advancement, nano technology is encouraging for car lovers who would like to see their gems retain their original good looks for longer, increasing the long-term or resale value.

Big Dreams for a Single Molecule Car

It's a set of hot wheels - if you're the size of an atom! The world's first single molecule car was developed at Rice University in the United States. Although the car is lacking a stereo and licence plate, it does have pivoting suspension and freely rotating axles.

Soon after the development of the nano car came an entire fleet of vehicles, including a nano truck that is capable of carrying loads of molecules from one location to another. The implications for physics, medicine, and chemistry are staggering. But do they have nano tow trucks for the event to a breakdown?

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