Nanotechnology is begining to improve our everyday lives – part 2

NanoSense 2 - how Nanotechnology is improving our everyday lives

Author: Prof. Benfield

Continuing our Fantastic Voyage

In the first of these brief articles the sci-fi film Fantastic Voyage of 40 years ago was seen emerging as today's scientific discipline 'Nanotechnology'.

Having considered some of the incredible ways that medical science is applying the knowledge of sub-molecular changes to deliver health benefits, this second part in the series links these with materials science and our everyday environments. .

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Citing the development work of Greek scientist Dr Ioannis Arabatzis, it takes a look at some of the products produced by his company, Nanophos SA. Winner of the Gates' foundations' international prize for commercializing scientific research, his efforts to deliver practical benefits to everyday situations through technical excellence and inventiveness are seen as exemplary.

(E)merging building science

Despite the arguments over when and if nanotechnology and in particular nanobots will become available, as the previous article illustrates this is happening. Perhaps this is all the more so in nonmedical areas, which are subject to all sorts of test before they can be applied. This is particularly so in the area of Building Science, which is able to apply the same technology and techniques, but with far fewer restrictions and therefore faster market deliverability.

Based in Greece, 'Nanophos SA' is one company already delivering the benefits of Nanotechnology to address everyday problems in and around the home and other buildings to improve our lives.

Founded by scientist Dr Ioannis Arabatzis, Nanophos SA has developed a number of compounds for treating all kinds of products. Personally recognised by Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, for the innovative nature of their work, NanoPhos and Dr Arabatzis are undoubtedly delivering cutting edge nanotech inventions to improve and add value to a wide range of everyday products.

Protecting and waterproofing surfaces from within

Bricks, concrete, marble and timber are just a few of the items surrounding us in everyday life that are susceptible to surface damage though staining, sunlight, mould and fungus. Unlike other compounds, for instance 2 component or silicon based treatments that create a 'plastic film' on the surface they are applied to, Nanophos SA' SurfaPore® product uses the changed characteristics of nanotechnology to deeply penetrate the pores of these materials and 'dress' them from within.

Instead of sealing off these pores, like the other treatments, they act below the surface to change the cellular structure of the material, enabling it to use chemical forces to repel water and other corroding factors.

Whereas surface barrier films are damaged or worn away by cleaning, abrasion and mechanical wear and tear, this below surface treatment gives truly long lasting protection to any material to which it is applied. Since non-particles do not form polymer chains, they also last longer, with 95% of their original functionality or activity being recorded after eight years.

This enhanced, long lasting protection is due to the unique method developed by SurfaPore to chemically anchor its nanoparticles onto the basic building material.

Avoiding colour change and UV damage

By eliminating the need to create a film or membrane to protect surfaces, SurfaPore® formulations don't change the colour or appearance of the surfaces to which they are applied. They are also more resistant to the 'hard' UV part of solar radiation and so are less susceptible to the yellowing and fade effects of sunlight.

'Breathing' surfaces

One very important advantage of SurfaPore® is that surfaces modified with an appropriate SurfaPore® nanocompound can still 'breathe' after application. What this means is that water vapour can still travel from and to the outside through the natural pores of the material because they are not trapped by a protective film or membrane.

While water itself is blocked from being transferred from the external environment to the inside of the material, moisture that has got into the substrate before application can still freely vaporise and evaporate to the environment, without accumulating behind the building's surface.

As building technologists will readily appreciate, this means that surfaces modified with SurfaPore® remain dry and unchanged in both appearance and mechanical properties. Better still, many building failures, like swelling, cracking and warping are also minimized if not totally prevented.

Next Time

Using SurfaPore® to protect surfaces from stains, moulds, and fungus, how to apply, coverage and other useful 'stuff'.

The SurfaPore® range

With constant research adding to and improving these high tech products, SurfaPore® 'C' is the treatment for cement based surfaces, mortar, grout, stucco and natural or artificial stone, SurfaPore® 'R' is the product for clay based bricks, tiles, terracotta, and pottery, SurfaPore® 'T' is that one to use to protect granite, marble, and porcelain surfaces, while SurfaPore® 'W' provides wide protection for timber and wood based materials.
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Dr Benfield is visiting Professor with University of Wales Newport and CEO of on-line superstore Home & Garden Centre who sell innovative and unusual products, including solid wall insulation and nanotechnology materials.

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