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Automotive

In the automotive sector, nanotechnologies are widely used and can make a difference on different levels. Nanotechnology applications also in this case greatly improve the final product and cover a wide range of possibilities: scratch-resistant paint, fuel cells, more efficient batteries, more resistant tires, anti-reflective glass etc.

In the automotive sector, nanotechnologies are widely used and can make a difference on different levels. Nanotechnology applications also in this case greatly improve the final product and cover a wide range of possibilities: scratch-resistant paint, fuel cells, more efficient batteries, more resistant tires, anti-reflective glass etc.

The possibility of creating a body capable of storing energy and paints that change colors cannot be excluded, again thanks to the use of nanotechnologies. In any case, one of the most common applications in the automotive field is the application of lighter and more resistant materials, with a weight reduction of up to 40%, therefore capable of improving fuel consumption, on the one hand, and achieve high levels of safety, on the other hand. It is also common to use catalysts and nanotechnological additives to improve engine efficiency and save on consumption for gasoline cars. More in detail, here is a list of fields in which nanotechnologies are successfully applied to the automotive sector:

Frames and exteriors

Through the use of nanotechnologies it is possible to use significantly lighter materials for the frame of cars, without this being more fragile, indeed also gaining in terms of safety. In addition to the engine (which Ford has already experimented with), it is possible to replace all the steel parts with nano-engineered thermoplastics, and the window panes with nanotechnological polymers (polycarbonate windows), in order to have significantly lighter cars. There are also applications that allow the creation of self-cleaning windshields, anti-scratch and anti-stain sides, self-repairing bodywork.

Tires

As for tires, the contribution of nanotechnologies is to create rubber mixtures, which make products available that are resistant to abrasion but capable in terms of grip. The products that make the difference compared to natural rubber are: soot, silica and organ silane. All three can be produced in nanometric form, and mixed with rubber. It is also possible to print carbon nanotube sensors to monitor tire wear in real time.

Propulsion

The future is increasingly directed towards the spread of electric cars. This raises the problem of producing batteries to store electrical energy. The shared solution is to make lithium batteries, and nanotechnology promises to increase the performance and duration of this type of battery. With the use of nanotechnologies it is possible to increase energy and power density, shorten charging times, and decrease the size and weight, improving the safety and stability of these batteries.

Less toxic fuels

Although the future is electric, the present is still linked to petrol cars, and even in this field nanotechnologies can play a decisive role, especially as regards the conversion of toxic gases into non-toxic gases. In fact, if the materials that are used for the catalytic function in the transformation of gases are downsized to the nanometer scale, the specific surface increases, and thus the interaction of the exhaust gas with the active coating and its transformation into a harmless substance is accelerated.

Interior

As for the interiors, nanotechnologies greatly contribute to the creation of refined products such as antimicrobial fabrics and surfaces, nanoparticulate air filters, anti-reflective mirror coatings, climate-controlled seats based on thermoelectrics.

Electrical and electronic systems

Evidently, all the electronic components of cars are largely favored by the advent of nanotechnologies; in particular, these are the contributions provided by spintronics which exploits not so much the charge as the spin of the electrons, manipulating it to achieve its objectives. The devices built in this way have the ability not to waste energy. In this way, consumption is clearly lower.

Hybrid cars

Here too, the impact of nanotechnologies is considerable, allowing the production of microstructured solar cells to be integrated into the sunroofs of any car. Using nano-structured solar cells, it is possible to cover larger areas of the car itself, with very thin films, to collect solar energy.