Nanotechnology: Impact on Automobile and Transportation Industry
By Vansh kotian, TE-Comps
Nanomaterials are substances with a size so tiny that the human eye cannot see them. However, because of their advantageous traits, they can be applied in a variety of fields. By enabling the many means through which transportation can flourish and benefit different sectors, nanotechnology plays a vital role in improving the industry’s efficiency. As a result, businesses are now making significant investments in research and development to create transportation systems that are safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.
Nanotechnology in Automobiles
Nanotechnology can be incorporated into numerous auto parts including paint, batteries, fuel cells, tyres, mirrors, and windows. The main benefits of using nanotechnology in automobiles are the development of lighter and stronger body parts (to improve safety), increased fuel efficiency, and consequently better performance over a longer time.
• Engines
Our internal combustion engines are put under a lot of demands, including increased performance and reduced size and weight. For a high-performance engine, the combination of those two factors would typically spell disaster, but nanotechnology has made it possible to do both safely. Due to the advancement of nanoengineering, scientists can now manipulate specific types of aluminium at the atomic level to prodstronger and lighter materialshter than the current batch of robust aluminium. This increases their durability while also increasing their fuel efficiency.
• Batteries
Engineers and researchers are examining ways to extend battery life while boosting performance as the next generation of electric vehicles become more prevalent on our roads. Lithium-silicon batteries were subsequently developed as a result. The most recent advancements in this quickly evolving field include silicon nanowires that swell and shrink as they absorb and release lithium ions, as well as tiny nano-structures with carbon shells shielding lithium-rich silicon cores. This combination allows less energy loss to the environment as heat and more energy are supplied to the system.
• Nano-based Tyres
The adoption of advanced nanomaterial-based tyres is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of automobiles. The rubber composition of a tyre cover significantly impacts long-term performance because it typically determines how well a tyre functions. The durability and safety of tyres are improved when suitable nanoparticles are added to rubber composites.
• Total Cost
The total cost of the vehicle can be reduced if the right nanomaterials are chosen in the automotive industry because cost and weight reduction go hand in hand. Additionally, if more affordable nanomaterials are chosen during the production stage, the price can be reduced.
Nanotechnology in Aeronautics
Due to their higher tensile strength and lighter weight, nanotechnology applications have been demonstrated to be a sustainable approach for aerospace uses beyond automobiles. Not only will this lighten the aircraft’s overall load, but it will also consume low fuel. Next-generation aircrafts must be easy to manoeuvre, lighter, and faster.
• Strength and Weight
The airframe is the largest component of the aircraft which protects it from the external environment. In order to reduce overall fuel consumption, it should be light in weight and strong enough to handle external friction. Nanocomposites are suitable alternatives to increase the strength and mechanical properties of the aircraft for this purpose. In the O’Donnell study, the airframe material in four model aircraft structures was Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer (CNRP) which resulted in 14.1% weight reduction and 9.8% fuel reduction in a take-off scenario of the aircraft.
• Enhancing Sensing and Safety
Nanomaterials may exhibit self-healing characteristics, which enhance their sustainability over a longer period of time. Nanomaterials may be able to detect component damage early on and aid in failure prevention in the future. Nanotechnology application also contributes to safer aircraft operation. This is because an aircraft can withstand greater friction and roughness because of nano-based coatings and tyres.
Nanotechnology in Marine Transportation
Ship corrosion is a major problem in the sea because seawater has a high salinity level, which is the root cause of the deterioration of ships. Erosion and long-term bottom fouling have an impact on the ship’s performance as well. It can be very beneficial to use nanotechnology when building a ship in order to improve the ship’s performance over time. Nanotechnology has potential uses in the shipbuilding sector, including corrosion-resistant coatings, biofouling, and structural health monitoring.
Conclusion
As we discover new ways to manipulate materials on an atomic scale, new applications for nanotechnology in cars are emerging. Future cars will be cleaner, quieter, and more enjoyable as a result, and that can only be a good thing. Not only for those who use it but also for the industry itself, nanotechnology is making transportation accessible and simpler as it improves the mechanics and operating principles to expedite the growth process.
