What is nanotechnology?

As a definition, nanotechnology is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale. The name nano comes from the size of molecules which is measured in nanometers (one billionth of a meter).
Why nanotechnology is very important? The answer is given by nature in this classical example that we all know from primary school. Think about diamond and coal, the only difference between those materials is the arrangement of carbon atoms so, if you can imagine a technology that enable us to manipulate material at atomic scale you can perceive the importance of nanotechnology.
Examples of nanotechnology in modern use are the manufacture of polymers based on molecular structure, and the design of computer chip layouts based on surface science. Despite the great promise of numerous nanotechnologies such as quantum dots and nanotubes, real commercial applications have mainly used the advantages of colloidal nanoparticles in bulk form, such as suntan lotion, cosmetics, protective coatings, and stain resistant clothing.


Nanotechnology in Turkey

Turkish government started new programs to initiate research in nanotechnology. The most important step was the establishment of National Nanotechnology Center (UNAM). Prof. Salim Çıracı explains the aim of this center as:
“ At the end of last decade, rapid developments in information and communication Technologies initiated the interest in nanotechnology. While governments were investing in nanotechnology research at the universities and industry, the idea of establishing a center for nanoscience and nanotechnology was initiated by Prime Ministry State Planning Organization (DPT) and Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM) was decided to be established. The Project is being supervised by a group of very important scientist from physics, chemistry, molecular biology and genetic and electronic engineering departments. Some of those scientists did contribution on the development of nanoscience and they helped to shape nanotechnology programs in Europe. National nanotechnology Research Laboratories will be open to all scientists and researchers from Turkey. At specific time periods, research topics will be announced and scientists who are interested in will apply with their projects; projents that are qualified will be able to use the laboratory facilities to develop new nanotech products. We are expecting the participation of scientists working abroad too. Apart from research and development, the center will acquire an active role in educating specialists in nanotechnology. In the project, the most important research and development activities will focus on nanotextile, fiber, nanophotonic-nanoelectronic, fiber lasers, spectroscopy, nanodetectors and nanosize characterization instruments. Our biggest wish is ultimately master and doctorate students’ thesis becoming products and we are expecting our students to establish their own company and get into the nanotechnology market. Thus, in stead of the immigration of very valuable brains to foreign countries, they will contribute to our country’s welfare and our country will move forward in science” UNAM is already established and started its activity in july 2007.

Potential Nanotechnology Applications in Turkey

Sampas Nanotechnology provides technological consultancy to the industrial players in the domestic market. Our greatest interest is about custom design of solutions that are completely based on recent advancements acquired in nanoscience and technology. In particular, we intend to serve to the major industries in Turkey, which are also leading industries on a global basis. Below there is a short list, in which we present our target markets. Also, we underline the importance of nanotechnology solutions for the industries of our interest.

Textile Industry

Even though nanotechnology is still in its infancy state, it already had an impact in textile industry. This new technology is opening new ways for textile manufacturers to develop increased performance fibers. Some of those applications include antimicrobial, flame retardant and dirt resistant fabrics. All of these applications can easily be adopted by existing textile mills without altering the feel of the fabric. The use of nanotechnology is allowing textiles to become multifunctional. For instance, plasma technology is being used to modify the top nanometer layers of textiles, allowing them to be made antibacterial, fungicidal and water repellent. Other areas of interest include heat resistant and mechanically resilient work wear, ballistic protection, sensors and camouflage.
Since textile industry is one of the major industries in Turkey, our companies have to adopt this new technology to keep their market share. Considering the fact that Asian countries have already started to invest in nanotechnology, one can imagine that big Asian textile producers will soon start to market their nanotextile products.

Glass Industry

The glass industry is being pushed by competitive market conditions, and thus experiencing a mandatory innovation process, also related to rapid changes in customer expectations. Moreover, there is a fast growing demand for new product development programs. In this context, nanotechnology must be considered the most promising field. Several final properties (thermal insulation, conductivity, reflectivity, etc.) of glass can be improved by recent advancements in nanotechnology. Besides, bonus features like self-cleaning ability can be adhered to the current glass manufacturing technology as well.

Turkish glass industry is nation’s one of the few leading industries on the global basis. Both annual production rates and export figures have been growing very fast in a continuous manner for almost a decade. Therefore, there is a promising future for the new investments that will target the product development. Nanotechnology solutions have a huge potential to assist the glass industry to overcome their major difficulties in the competitive global market.

Ceramics Industry

Traditional ceramic materials comprise a well-known technology with an extensive source of present and future applications. There is an increasing demand for advanced materials however, which causes a growing list of new material compositions. These mostly include inorganic materials with combinations of fine structures. Handling these materials call for a certain degree of technology that is far more sophisticated than today’s technology applied in conventional ceramics industry.  Nanotechnology is the only way to reach the most outstanding high-technology applications whose ongoing momentum is therefore very critical to the future advances in ceramics industry, too.

Turkish ceramics industry is one of the leading names worldwide, and therefore has targeted a sustainable improvement operation in their business processes by adopting contemporary technologies into their manufacturing scheme. However, one should be aware of the fact that global competitors might be one step ahead in near future after they incorporate the newest nanotechnology advancements in the ceramics industry. Therefore, domestic manufacturers must be aware of this risk and take immediate precautions.


Automobile Industry

Growing demand for high efficiency, high performance materials and increasing safety and emission standards have pushed big automotive producers to look for new technologies like nanotechnology. Through nanotechnology, the automotive industry will get its new growth potential and development momentum.
By adopting nanotechnology, the industry can reduce costs, particularly in the case of paints and coatings. For instance, the efficiency of a single layer of nanomaterial- based coating is comparable to that of three layers of conventional coatings. Nanomaterials are also projected to lower the quantity of highly expensive rare metals used in catalytic converters and fuel cells, yielding a saving of at least $1 billion per year by 2010.
Automotive industry in Turkey is growing rapidly. Foreign car producers are opening new plants and increasing their capacity. Thus, domestic car parts producers are increasing their sales and market share. In the near future, these foreign car producers will demand nanomaterial based car parts from domestic companies to be competitive so local companies have to start investing in nanotechnology before it is too late.