By Benedette CuffariApr 4 2017

While the actual term nanotechnology was not introduced until 1974 by Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi, the original concept behind this massively developed field of science was introduced by Richard Feynman in his 1959 speech titled Theres Plenty of Room at the Bottom.1

In his speech, Feynman discussed that by manipulating the size of a material to be in its smallest form, we are able to learn much more about the phenomena exerted by this material, particularly when presented in complex situations.

Since its initial introduction into the world, the application of nanotechnology has found an ability to revolutionize and improve almost every technology and industry sector of the world today. By converting bulk materials to a nanoscale, this technology has allowed for specific properties such as strength, durability, reactivity, conductance, and several other traits to be tailored towards each project of interest2.

The industries that have found the greatest advantages by manipulating materials into its nanoscale include information technology, homeland security, medicine, energy, food safety, environmental science, transportation and many others.

Many commercial and everyday products now rely on the presence of nanoengineered materials in order to deliver the best possible outcomes following their use, however the application of this technology in advancing scientific fields is also quite impressive.

As researchers around the world are discovering remarkable properties and uses for nanosized particles, scientific meetings such as the international Trends in Nanotechnology meeting, aim at publishing the work that is being done in this revolutionary field. During the week of June 5-9, 2017, researchers from around the world will gather in Dresden, Germany to discuss some of the following hot topics that are going to pave the way in nanotechnology this year:

Find out more about TNT 2017

The application of nanotechnology into the field of photovoltaics is not a new thought, however, the future range of possible nanoapplications in this industry is expected to rise in 2017. Photovoltaics, which describes the ability to generate electricity from light, is a growing market that has faced several challenges due to the high costs associated with the materials required for most solar cells.

While the cost is likely to decrease in the future following the development of thinner wafers and devices capable of exhibiting a higher conversion efficiency, the role of nanotechnology is expected to play an important role in enhancing these properties.

PV Nano Cell has developed an innovative and conductive ink that has found use in solar photovoltaics and other printed electronics applications. The PV Nano Cell SicrysTM product is a single-crystal, nanometric silver, or copper-based, conductive ink, that is capable of delivering the products properties at an enhanced performance rate while also reducing the cost required to do so4.

Photovoltaic ink typically takes only about a minute to dry onto a surface at 100 C, which allows for roll-to-roll manufacturing to occur. This type of manufacturing technique describes a sheet of material being spun off one roll, coated, and rolled back onto a new one in a consecutive and rapid manner, which not only increases production time, but has also been found to enhance the efficiency the functioning capability of solar cells5.

The use of graphene has already found an untenable amount of applications over the last few years, and its use in combination with nanotechnology is no different. The term graphene is used to describe a single atom-thick layer of carbon, and its use has found a successfully applications such as batteries, capacitors, mobile devices, fuel cell-powered cars, water purification, solar cell dyes and many others6.

For example, a graphene-based electrode has recently been developed by researchers from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, which has the potential to apply solar technology in future devices such as smart phones, laptops, cars and quite possibly buildings7. Not only does this electrode exhibit a storage capacity that is estimated to be 30 times greater, while also being comprised of a much thinner and flexible material as compared to its predecessors.

Learn more about the PV Nano Cell SicrysTM

The future of nanotechnology is expected to have major impacts on all aspects of the world, and its ability to further improve daily life is limitless. From changing the way in which medicine and diagnostic procedures is given to patients to generating new and increasingly efficient ways to generate electricity, nanotechnology seems to hold the key into the future of the world.

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Nanotechnology in 2017: The Story So Far January - April - AZoNano