A team of experts at Queensland University of Technology have found that stained glass windows - the ones painted with gold - help purify the air when lit up with sunlight. People in medieval times were already using nanotechnology to produce colors with gold nanoparticles of different sizes. Numerous church windows across Europe were decorated with glass painted with gold nanoparticles. For centuries, people have appreciated the beautiful works of art, but little did they know that these windows also made the air cleaner!
The tiny gold particles would be energized by the sun and were able to destroy pollutants in the air. Sunlight enhances the magnetic field on the nanoparticles up to 100 times, which causes nearby pollutant molecules in the air to break apart. This process produces small amounts of carbon dioxide, which is safe and environmentally friendly. Since this technology is solar-powered, it opens a lot of exciting possibilities for scientific research in renewable energy!
Source: Air-purifying Church Windows Were Early Nanotechnology
Stained Glass Purifies Air
Volcanoes Spout Nanomaterials
Nanotechnology materials are hot hot hot - nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, quantum dots are all in high demand - and chemical companies can barely keep up! Sooner or later, we will be running out of resources!
Researchers in Germany have found that the natural nanostructures found in lava rocks are also suitable for making nanomaterials. They are able to stick 1.05 grams of nanocarbons onto 0.2 grams of lava rock - which is amazingly efficient. Lava rocks may be the next big thing in nanotechnology!
Source: Nanotechnology production materials come flowing out of volcanoes
Adidas' Nanotech Shoe for the Beijing Olympics
Adidas worked with Olympic 400-meter runner Jeremy Wariner for over two years to create the revolutionary Adidas Lone Star spike - which features the first full-length carbon nanotube reinforced plate.
This plate is stronger and thinner and gives the runner more stability, comfort, safety, and flexibility. It also weighs 50% less than previous plates. With this new nanotechnology-enhanced shoe, Jeremy Wariner will be able to perform even better!
Source: Adidas' revolutionary nanotechnology shoe for Beijing Olympics
