While opening the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, the Premier of Victoria, Australia and other speakers touched upon the potential exciting innovations that nanotechnology makes possible. The possibilities mentioned by them provide an insight into what the technology can provide in widely varying fields.
One of the most promising areas is the field of energy. Energy generation without polluting the environment, batteries that could last far longer than now and minuscule power sources that are efficient and could be accommodated in presently inaccessible locations (such as inside human organs) are some possibilities that nanotechnology offers.
Additionally, energy efficient materials and applications can reduce levels of energy consumed. For example, self-cleaning glass and paint can eliminate much of the effort needed for cleaning (as well as lead to less energy consumption for climate control indoors). And clothing that can keep you cool on a hot day could possibly save on energy needed for keeping people cool.
The new facility’s sophisticated equipment “will enable the production of devices, customised sensors and integrated systems with applications in biomedicine, energy, nanoelectronics and environmental management,” according to one of the participants. The Victorian and commonwealth governments have funded investment in the new centre, “directed to the Australian Synchrotron, Monash University’s Electron Microscopy facility and CSIRO’s Niche Manufacturing Flagship,” according to the Victorian Premier.
Read the news at Nanowerk
