The emergence of nanotechnology in th1980’s was caused by convergence of experimental advances such as the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 and the discovery of fullerenes in 1985. Now the nanotechnology products are used in various fields such as medical, material science, automobile etc. In this topic the various applications of nanotechnology in the automobile industries have been discussed.

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Applications of Nanotechnology in
Automobile Industry
Steevan Sequeira
Manipal Technologies Limited
Abstract: The emergence of nanotechnology in
th1980’s was caused by convergence of
experimental advances such as the invention of
the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 and
the discovery of fullerenes in 1985. Now the
nanotechnology products are used in various
fields such as medical, material science,
automobile etc. In this topic the various
applications of nanotechnology in the automobile
industries have been discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter
on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally
nanotechnology works with material, devices
and other structures with at least one
dimension sized from 1 to 100nm.
Nanotechnology was begun 30 years ago.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology can be used
across small things and can be used across all
other science fields such as chemistry, physics,
material science and engineering. Today’s
scientists and engineers are finding a wide
variety ways to deliberately make materials at
the nanoscales to take advantage of their
enhanced properties such as high strength,
lighter weight, increased control of light
spectrum and greater chemical reactivity. In
engineering their applications are mainly found
in fabrication, mechanics and infrastructure
APPLICATIONS IN AUTOMOBILE
INDUSTRY
 Lotus Coatings
 In Windshields
 Reduction in weight of Vehicles
 Better Batteries
 Fuel Cells
 Catalytic Converters
 Reduction in Fuel Consumption etc.
LOTUS COATINGS
The lotus effect refers to the very high water
repellence exhibited by the leaves of the lotus
flower. Some nanotechnologists have
developed treatment, coatings, paints and other
surfaces that can stay dry and clean themselves
in the same way as lotus leafs. Lotus coatings
are composed of hydrophobic nanoparticles of
silsesquioxanes containing adhesion promoter
groups and low surface energy groups. When
these coatings are applied to the vehicles they
will cause the water to bead into small droplet
and roll off the surface without getting the
surface wet. These coatings also prevent the
dust from adhering to the surface of the
vehicles thus preventing the surface from
corrosion. The paints made by this technology
have a self-healing property. Ships and boats
which receive such coat on their bottoms can
not only move faster, but also fuel
consumption as water repellent property
reduces friction drastically.

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IN WINDSHIELDS
Another of the advanced applications of
nanotechnology in vehicles involves the
production of mirrors and side panels that are
made out of nanoparticles. Being so they filter
the rays of the sun, smoke and other pollutants
in the atmosphere. The same technology
allows radio and phone signals as well as
sound waves to freely enter the cars so that
occupants of the vehicles are not made
oblivious to the world outside. The mirrors
made up by this technology have higher
stiffness and high transparency rate. By
applying the nanoparticle coatings to the
windshields the fog formation over them can
be eliminated completely. Researchers are
going on to produce coatings made up of
silicon so that solar energy could be utilized
directly from windshields.
REDUCTION IN WEIGHT OF
VEHICLES
In contemporary cars, a large share of the
vehicles weight is due to the weight of engine
and transmission system of the vehicles. As a
result, vehicles require more fuel to push
forward such machines. Nonetheless with the
advent of alloys, engines were made lighter
somewhat but not them to make fuel efficient.
With nanotechnology engines and parts were
made much lighter, thus eliminating the need
to consume more fuel just to push the vehicle
forward. In this regard Carbon Nanotubes are
used which have 100times lesser weight to that
of the steel but are much stronger than that of
the steel. Also weight of the vehicles can also
be reduced by decreasing in the weight of the
chassis this can be achieved by using cast
aluminum alloys at near atomic levels.
IN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
Catalytic converters made of nanotechnology
use the nanomaterials to prevent the platinum
from aggregation so that less platinum is
required for each converter. The key
development is to coat platinum nanoparticles
with the porous silica layer. Because of its
weak interaction with the platinum, the silica
coating provides an energy barrier that holds
the platinum in place even at very high
temperatures, preventing aggregation and
maintaining catalytic activity. Experiments
show that the silica-coated platinum
maintained its catalytic ability (about 7500
C) at
much higher temperatures than uncoated
platinum, which began to aggregate at
temperatures as low as 3500
C.
REDUCTION IN FRICTIONAL LOSSES
In vehicles the major energy loss is due to the
friction losses. By adding certain

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nanomaterials like boric acid particles to the
motor oils there will be reduction in the
friction. The result can be 4-5% reduction in
fuel consumption.
ADVANTAGES
 In automobiles nanomaterial
coating can prevent the corrosive
materials from corrosion.
 They decrease the frictional, tear
and wear losses thus they
decrease the rate of fuel
consumption.
 They are extremely small and
light weighted but are harder than
materials like steel, iron etc.
 Plenty of raw materials are
available for the manufacture.
 They are durable for number of
years etc.
DISADVANTAGES
 Presently nanotechnology is very
expensive as its production cost
is high.
 Some of the industries like steel
and diamond production
industries could be effected in
adverse.
 Impact of nanotechnology on the
environment is still unknown.
CONCLUSION
 Though the nanotech products
are expensive they increase the
performance of the automobile
tremendously.
 Life of parts of the automobile
will be increased
 Maintenance of the automotive
can be minimized.
REFRENCES
Introduction
www.nano.org.uk/what-is-nanotechnology
Lotus Coating
http://en.percenta.com/nanotecholgy-lotus-
effect.php
Windshields
www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1157.php
Catalytic converter
www.phy.org/_news204827696
Reduction in weight of vehicles
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/04/ford-
turns-to-n/
In Catalytic Converters
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007
/October/10100701.asp
Reduction in Frictional Losses
http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2007/
ES070803.html
Nano Automotive.pdf, Hessen nanotech,
Germany
Carbon Nanotubes Manufacturing and
Applications – A WTEC International Study
by Pulickel M. Ajayan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I thank the HOD & Staff of the mechanical
department of Srinivas Institute of Technology
for their constructive suggestions.