Nanotechnology in Transportation Transportation Fabrication Mechanics Infrastructure

How can small science help us travel such a big planet? How can small science help us travel such a big planet? From roads to bridges, from planes to trains, from cars to bikes, and ships to busses.

How Big Is Nano?

What Does Transportation Look Like?

Nanotechnology Transportation Goals Protect and Improve the Environment Improve safety Improve comfort Using nanoscience technology, scientists hope to improve the transportation industry in three main ways:

1. Behind the Wheel It won't be long and you'll be driving! Imagine, nearly three quarters of a billion cars are currently being driven around the world. Pollutant emissions and the need for recycling and disposal are a big concern. Researchers, developers and industry are searching for new nanotechnology solutions for the transportation industry.

Areas of Vehicle Nanoscience Research Anti-glare and dirt-resistant window materials Wear-resistant super-grip tires Corrosion protection Lightweight materials Individually varying colors Wear-resistant mechanical parts Electronic safety sensors New drive and emissions concepts Thanks to nanotechnology, look for vehicle improvements in the following areas. A few of these will be described on the following pages. Ames Research Center conducts research using nano-scale assembly to create sensing elements, among other things. They are using protein-based nanotubes, potentially capable of self- organization and replication.

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Bling! An Australian company nano-based water repellant product is said to increases visibility in wet weather by up to 34%. The company website states, "Nothing clings to Bling! Bugs, Snow, Ice and Rain comes right off!"

Windshields Designs are currently being developed for windows that wrap all the way around vehicles. Source: Dr. U. König, DaimlerChrysler AG Nanoparticles and nanofibers make this possible. These nanoparticles provide extremely high transparency and stiffness. Besides making driving safer with better all- round vision, it also would be lighter. Look for transparent solar cells for car windows, soon, with the help of nanotechnology.

Better Protection Click on the following link to find a list of ways vehicles can be protected by just one nanotechnology company! Nanotechnology Innovations

Your Bike and Nanotechnology To save energy and for exercise, some of us ride bicycles, but a lightweight bicycle is always easier to pedal. Carbon nanotubes are tiny cylinders of carbon atoms that have 100 times the strength of steel but weigh much less. Nanotechnology has helped make a bicycle that weights less than three pounds and is extra durable.

2.Mechanics Better Batteries with Nanoscience A123Systems has taken a different approach to developing nano-enabled car batteries. The battery uses the advantage of increased surface area of particles at the nanoscale nanoparticles to provide a quicker source of greater power.

Fuel Cells using Nanotechnology Cheaper fuel cell vehicles can be made possible with the help of an enzyme connected electrically to a carbon nanotube. The National Renewable Energy Labs in Colorado combining the super tiny strands of carbon with hydrogenese, a "biohybrid" catalyst. This process eliminates the need for platinum, an expensive component in traditional fuel cells.

Lighter Nanotech Cars Save Fuel Ford has an idea for dealing with the energy crisis. Nanotechnology can make cares 250 to 750 pounds lighter without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle. Lightening the vehicles will have much better gas mileage.

A Better Catalytic Converter With nanoscience these catalytic converters use 70 to 90 percent less metals, like platinum, rhodium and palladium, which speed up chemical reactions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The converters rely on nanoparticles of the catalytic metal, each less than five nanometers in diameter, embedded into fixed positions onto the surface of tiny ceramic spheres. See how it works on the next page. Mazda created a new catalytic converter using nanotechnology. Catalytic converters help to purify exhaust emissions.

Nano-sized Secrets In the past the problem of placing nanoparticles on a surface like this resulted in the migration and collection of nanoparticles into one place, (agglomerating). That’s a problem when working with nanoparticles due to the laws of quantum mechanics. (Quantum = small). Somehow, Mazda has overcome the problem, and they’re not telling how!

That’s Nano-Slick! Using nano-boric acid particles in motor oil reduces friction in automobile engine parts can have less friction. This boric acid 'rose' shows the intricately layered microscopic structure of the compound.

3. Infrastructure Nanotechnology can also be found in the construction and monitoring of roads. Nanomaterials are found in construction materials including concrete, asphalt, aggregates, and even pavement marking materials. Research into nano- phosphors could someday illuminate the streets, not from above, but from within! Guardrails may someday heal themselves, or concrete or asphalt that heal their own cracking using nanotechnology.

Sensors Advanced sensor technology using nanochips is available for transportation applications. Due to the lower cost and easy installation, sensors have been placed in the pavements, bridges, inside concrete and asphalt, and even inside vehicles. There are nanosensors on the Golden Gate Bridge to monitor its behavior. These nanochips can provide wireless communication to improve safety.

Social, Environmental and Ethical Concerns 1.Might these nanotechnology developments in transportation infringe on human rights? 2.Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals? 3.Could the use of nanotechnology for transportation have unwanted and negative environmental effects? 4.What economic impact could the use of nanotechnology in transportation have on producers, consumers, and other industries? Might they be negative or positive?

What About Your Rights? If so, are these developments more important than Your privacy? Your rights as a citizen? Your rights as a human being? Are the answers somewhere in between?

Research Questions To prepare for your presentation, answer the following questions using reference materials which can include the websites linked to this webquest: 2.If we can develop these technologies, should we? Why? 1.What can be done to maximize the chances that humans will benefit from, rather than be harmed by, new developments?

Transportation Weblinks These are websites which are a good place to start looking for more information on nanotechnology in transportation. You may also wish to use the reference links at the bottom of many of the pages within this presentation. Then use the general website page linked at the bottom of this page. It is chock full of nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours. Vehicles Infrastructure Materials Click on the topics on the left of the webpage for more information at construction.htm construction.htm Sensors General Nanoscience WeblinksWeblinks

More Help If you would like help breaking down your research into steps, click on the help button for an outline.