Introduction:
If science can be renowned as a
god’s gift for human kind then, “Nanotechnology” can be esteemed as a precious
pearl in the oceanic field of science. If Darwin’s evolution of mankind,
descent of man from animal is a phenomenon, then Nanotechnology can be
objectified as a phenomenon that crossed many hurdles to become a normality. Many
“if’s” in this world has now become few possibilities and few “why not’s”
because of the continuous developments, discoveries and inventions in Nanotechnology.
DR. K. Eric Drexler, renowned most commonly as the father of Nanotechnology,
classifies it as a “manipulation of individual atoms and molecules to build
structures to complex atomic specifications” [1]. Hence, it is usually taken at
the quantum-realm scale of 1 to 100nm or in other words, one billionth of a
meter. It has been discovered that materials at this level exhibit
significantly different properties than their larger counterparts. Through the
manipulation of matter on this scale, smaller, cheaper and more energy
efficient devices, structures and systems can be designed and developed.
At present day,
Nanotechnology has almost penetrated into all research fields and areas in
various numerous industries and has also been mushrooming and thriving
rampantly in many OEMs associated with the automotive industry and most
primarily, in the hard core automotive sector. This could be validated by the
survey that shows that more than 75% of the companies envisage that
Nanotechnology will create a new market for them and more than 60% of the
companies expect a decisive advantage from the use of Nanotechnology and
believe that it will create a promising future for them, as it offers an unique
potential with astounding capabilities to architect a broad array of novel
materials, composites and structures on a molecular scale [2]. Such advanced
progresses in Nanotechnology in the automotive industry comes at a very crucial
time where, there is a paradigm shift in the industry towards greater
individual mobility and more greener, cleaner and compact automobiles. There is
a vital phase change in the former where, there has been an irresistible and an
insatiable demand for more vehicles on road. It has been predicted by the
United Nations that the vehicle fleet will get doubled from what seems as a 750
million now, to almost 1.5 billion utility and passenger vehicles by 2030 [2].
This ever growing need for vehicles could be attributed to the burgeoning
markets in growing economies around the world like India, China, Brazil and
Korea which, has to be sufficed with no compromises in passenger safety,
intelligent traffic guidance systems, pollutant reduction and effective
recycling systems [2]. Thus, it is a general consensus that Nanotechnology is
perceived most imperatively as the saviour of the highly competitive automotive
industry to continue to acclaim its cutting edge and to perpetuate its
international competitiveness in the 21st century.
Functionalities:
The benefits that could be reaped
from Nanotechnology is simply insurmountable. Since, it is a molecular
phenomenon, it improves the material’s performance by revamping and altering its
fundamental structure, which in turn ameliorates its mechanical, geometrical,
chemical, electrical and optical properties. Mechanically, nanotechnology
breaks the grains into smaller granules that are highly deformable and
simultaneously, also enhances itself with higher impact strength, greater
hardness and increased fatigue strength and toughness (at low temperatures)
where, it often, reigns its super elasticity (correspondingly at high
temperatures). This ensures greater durability and sustainability and the
material effectively becomes very light. From a geometric perspective,
nanostructures have greater surface to volume ratio and most of the chemical
reactions take place at the contact surfaces thus, it strengthens the
material’s resistance towards oxidation, corrosion and mechanical abrasion at
relatively high temperatures. It also produces electrically “sound” materials
as the free flow of charge carriers, at a nanometre scale, becomes constricted
due to the narrow structure of the nanoparticle and eventually, becomes
distorted and scattered hence, producing higher electrical resistive and giant
magneto resistive materials, with in surge of adhesive properties. In addition,
optical resolution is refined at nanoscale, because there is almost zero
reflection from a nanostructure and by varying the size of the nanoparticle it
is possible to control the light, emitted and absorbed by the material. The
chemical effect of a nanoparticle is largely dependent on its huge structure
and surface area to volume ratio but, with tailor made and designed particles,
it is possible to suit the consumer’s needs [2].
Applications of Nanotechnology in Automobiles:
Figure 1:
Various Applications of Nanotechnology [3]
Though
as seen from the figure on the left, there are a multitude number of
applications of Nanotechnology in the automotive sector, “Applications in
Nanotechnology”, most commonly falls into three categories namely, 1.Comfort
2.Safety and 3. Environment. Similarly, though there are many innumerable
applications in the all three above areas, only a few important, highlighted ones
will be illustrated in this essay, with examples.
1. Comfort:
Rider’s comfort is the foremost
priority of many auto car manufacturers in the world today. It cannot be
compromised for any trivial reasons because most of the automobile companies
banks on the consumer’s instant gratification. Comfort in this essay, is taken
in a different context – to satisfy the customer, with the product, on the very
first sight.
Through
Nanotechnology, many areas of comfort in car could be upgraded such as rear
view mirrors, windscreens and painting of the rolling chassis. It is very significant,
that the paint on the impeccable body shell shouldn’t get worn out in a few
washes or from several years of operation. Hence, by adding nanoparticles like AEROSIL
R9200, it is attainable to implement paints with scratch resistant and
self-cleaning properties. AEROSIL R9200, further effects pigment stabilisation,
rheology control and amplifies the corrosion resistant properties in the body surface.
Also, utilising unique types of silica tetrachloride (resulted from flame
hydrolysis), produced by gas synthesis processes under a flame, interconnects
the paint material’s fibres and matrixes, which in turn, induces a highly
compacted and organised convolute structure with tripled scratch resistant
properties. Similarly, polymer glasses that are coated with acrylate or
polysiloxane, is intensified with aluminium oxide nanoparticles during its hardening
stage, that brings greater abrasive resistance with solid impact strength to
its structure. In addition, applying hard materials during physical and
chemical vapour deposition procedures, together with plasma polymerization,
bridges the organic and the likewise, the rear view mirrors and windscreens are coated with ultra-thin layers of aluminium oxide in vacuum vaporization facilities that help to keep evaporation defects to a near minimum and also, reduces the strain experienced and at the same time, exhibits extremely high optical quality and efficiency. The oleophobic and hydrophobic layers of varying thickness from 5-10 nanometres (i.e. Cotec came up with fluor-organic material) resulted due to chemical vaporisation processes, produces exceptionally even surfaces, where it is easy to clear off the dirt, dust and oil. Such topographic feature on the mirrors improves the visibility of the rider by miles [2].
Figure
2: Schematic diagram of self-clean mechanism [4]
Figure 3: Diagram showing Nano wiper in
Operation [5]
Figure 4: Adjustment surface properties on glass
plates [6]
2. Safety:
Traffic jams and congested streets have
very much become a general human landscape of 21st century, dotted
by numerous and frequent accidents. This has often become a common sight for many
pedestrians across the world. In such exigency and tensed situation, Nanotechnology
has brought in fruitful solutions. Producing compact and light weight vehicles,
but not trading off with the active and the passive safety features in a car, during
the time of collision and before the time of collision is a mammoth task for
most car manufacturers. This is when, Nanotechnology has resurrected itself and
seized and swept the automotive market by its embedded particles of metallic
carbon nitride that almost quadruples the fixed strength of steel (which became
outdated after 1970 because of its weight) and results in ultra-strength,
lighter steels by dispersion hardening processes. These steels strengthen the
outer body of the car as well as the safety cage inside a car thus, timely,
securing the passengers during accidents. At the same time, adhesives developed
by Nanotechnology also revives the metal gluing and detaching of components and
also improves the relative manufacturing methods for producing ultra-strength
steels [2]. This in turn, also makes the body of the car more durable for any
sudden impacts and roll overs thus, safe guarding its passengers ad reducing
the causalities of accidental cases.
3.
Environment:
Green-house gases has
agglomerated and tainted our earth over the years. Though its dire effects were
not visible about a decade ago, it has become very prominent now and in fact,
the destruction and the mere damages that it has dimed periodically are
unaccountable. It is a general belief by most of the leaders, researchers and
scientists of various countries, around the world that, grave danger ascribed
by the continuous melting of the polar ice caps and the rising sea levels is
imminent. It had daunted us once with the raging tsunamis and it will do so
again in the near future too. Therefore, emission norms for vehicles and many
industries have become stringent over the years in a feeble attempt to reduce
the greater damage already done to the environment. This has effected in many
auto car manufacturers continuously looking for alternative measures to reduce
the emission of combusted gases after final drive. With Nanotechnology, it
might be resolved by coating the catalysts, in the catalytic converter with
minute nanoparticles that elevates the honeycomb structure and exalts its
surface area to further reduce the combusted gases to lesser harmful pollutants
[2].
TRENDS IN
NANOTECHNOLOGY:
Figure 5: Pie-Chart Shows the share of patent
around the world. [7]
From the pie chart (Figure 5), among all the countries
surveyed, USA (49%) and Japan (25%) possess considerably more patent and it can
be predicted that, they will be assuaged as role models who will lead in the commercialization of nanotechnologies and eventually revolutionize the
automotive industries, with timely innovation that will make the economy of
tomorrow. It is distinct nanotechnology has numerous applications that could
give an impetus advantage for most car manufacturers. [8]
Figure 6: Overview functionalities of recent
trends in Automobiles [9]
From
figure 6, it is observed that the future automobiles are going to be equipped
with the following features;
· Lightweight: High
strength nanocomposite plastics are expected to replace metal and thus reduce
weight and radar signature.
· Smart components: In
future, components are going to be fabricated, with a built-in condition and
load monitoring sensors, which, in long term will possess self-repairing or
self-healing properties.
· Adaptive structures:
Active structures that adapt to changing conditions such as adaptive
camouflage, suspension, flexible/rigid etc.
· Stealth: Radar absorption
coatings, camouflage.
· Armour: Nanoparticle,
nanofiber reinforced antiballistic structures, reactive nanoparticle armour, and
shock absorbing nanotubes.
· Position sensing and signalling: GPS for navigation and with EAS for
tracking and tracing vehicles.
· Identification: RFID - Tags for remote identification.
· Security: Radar, bolometer (infrared) for surveillance, and acoustic
arrays for sniper detection.
Wireless networks: Vehicle internal sensor network
will become wireless; connection to distributed external network [8].
Conclusion:
In
the 21st century, the evolution of science and its breakthroughs can
be engendered to the near existence of mankind as it has always backed humans
in times of detrimental situations and crisis and had made them to live through
centuries. Most significantly, for years to come, Nanotechnology, a very
promising field of science will mark its stature in the industry and might even
evolve as one of the reasons for a thriving mankind in the ecstatic future. As
far as the automotive sector is concerned, many researches are undergoing in
the areas, such as fuel cells, solar cells and also, in the nano-composites.
Besides these numerous researches, Nanotechnology is also
currently playing a pivotal role in the automotive industry by enabling various
enhancements ranging from the development and integration of sensors to the
improvement of a vehicle’s aesthetics. This is the reason why, many
auto car manufacturers across the world has pumped in millions of dollars into
this field of expertise, to remain competitive in the market. Germany is one
such country, which has automotive industry as its third highest revenue
earning industry, has been investing millions of dollars into the industry to
execute a phenomenal change. Likewise, the European Union has invested about
1.2 billion dollars and U.S. and Japan has invested about 3.7 billion and 750
million dollars respectively [3]. Unfortunately, the scale of
usage of nanotechnology has been limited by the high price and the industrial
availability of nano-materials. Despite these challenges, it is safe to
envision that as technology advances and nano-materials become more
commercially available, nanotechnology will be a major contributor to ensuring
future generations of automobiles are safer, greener, more comfortable, and
more energy efficient.
In
conclusion, definitely the prospects and the never ending opportunities in the
field of Nanotechnology are shining and very encouraging. With glittering
hopes, propitious years to come, our sincere visionaries are pinned on the
industry to bring a promising future for the world and its inhabitants.
References:
1. Waller, E., D.H.R, S.,
Myers, B., Shah, S., Ihms, D., Chengalva, S., Parker, R., Eesley, G. and
Dyksta, C. (2010). Nanotechnology
Applications in Future Automobiles. SAE – 2010-01-1149, Published-04/12/2010.
2. Werner, M. (2008). Nanotechnologies in automobiles. Wiesbaden: essisches Ministerium für
Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Landesentwicklung. “Nanotechnologies
by automobiles” by Hessen Ministry of Economy,Transport, Urban and Regional
Development, www.hessen-nanotech.de.
3. Simonis, F. and Schilthuizen, S. (2006). Nanotechnology innovation opportunities for tomorrow’s defence. 1st
ed. [ebook] TNO Science & Industry, p.22. Available at: http://www.futuretechnologycenter.eu/downloads/nanobook.pdf
[Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].
4. Azonano.com, (2014). Nanotechnology and
Nanoscience Information | AZoNano. [online] Available at: http://www.azonano.com [Accessed 29 Nov.
2014].
5. Nanowiper.com, (2014). Nano wipers - invisible wipers - liquid windshield wiper. [online] Available at: http://www.nanowiper.com [Accessed 29
Nov. 2014].
6. Anon, (2014). [online] Available at:
http://www.hessenanotech.de/mm/NanoAutomotive_web [Accessed 29 Nov. 2014].
7. Werner, M. (2008). European Patent Office (EPO), Scheu 2004: Nanotechnologies in automobiles. Wiesbaden: essisches Ministerium für
Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Landesentwicklung. “Nanotechnologies by automobiles” by Hessen
Ministry of Economy,Transport, Urban and Regional Development, www.hessen-nanotech.de.
8. Research-in-germany.de, (2014). Research in Germany - Home. [online] Available at:
http://www.research-in-germany.de [Accessed 29 Nov. 2014].
9. Anon, (2014). [online] Available at:
http://www.hessenanotech.de/mm/NanoAutomotive_web [Accessed 29 Nov. 2014].
10. Nano.gov, (2014). Nano. [online] Available at: http://www.nano.gov/ [Accessed 29 Nov.
2014].
11. Publishyourarticles.net, (2014). Do you want to publish your articles? – Publish Your Articles. [online] Available at: http://www.publishyourarticles.net [Accessed 29 Nov. 2014].
Author: Abhishek Kumar Jaishwal, SenthilKumar Subramanian, Esiri Afabor
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