Nanotechnology on the Rise in Consumer Products

Apr 24 2008, 4:00am CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) reports that the number of consumer products using nanotechnology has grown from 212 to 609 since PEN launched the world's first online inventory of manufacturer-identified nanotech goods in March 2006.

There are 35 automotive products in the PEN inventory, including the Hummer H2. General Motors Corporation bills the H2 as having a cargo bed that "uses about seven pounds of molded-in-color nanocomposite parts for its trim, center bridge, sail panel and box rail protector."
Nanoscale silver is the most cited nanomaterial used. It is found in 143 products or over 20 percent of the inventory. Carbon, including carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, is the second highest nanoscale material cited. Other nanoscale materials explicitly referenced in products are zinc (including zinc oxide) and titanium (including titanium dioxide), silica and gold.

One of the new items among the more than 600 products now in the inventory is Swissdent Nanowhitening Toothpaste with "calcium peroxides, in the form of nano-particles." Today, in testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee, PEN Project Director David Rejeski cited Ace Silver Plus -- another of the nine nano toothpastes in the inventory -- as an example of the upsurge in nanotechnology consumer products in stores. The hearing marks the start of U.S. Senate debate on the future direction of the annual $1.5 million federal investment in nanotechnology research and development (R&D).
Via this press-release.

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.