The Hindu : Front Page : ‘Nanotechnology can cut down air pollution’

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Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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‘Nanotechnology can cut down air pollution’

New Delhi: Scientists have said the emerging field of nanotechnology could provide a solution to the soaring air pollution caused by automobile emissions worldwide.

Research showed that nano-treatment of engines could cut down toxic gas emissions by up to 90 per cent, J. Narayan of North Carolina State University told PTI here.

“Use of nanotechnology-based systems increases the rate of pre-emission carbon trapping considerably, which is the main constituent of carbon dioxide,” said Prof. Narayan.

Important branch

Nanotechnology, a very important branch of applied science that dealt with matters on atomic and molecular scale, “has a considerable role to play in improvement of energy efficiency,” Director of Ansal Institute of Technology M.P. Singh said.

“Environmental degradation due to automobile emissions is a big issue today. Using nanotechnology can help us to mitigate air pollution considerably,” said Ravi V. Bellamkonda of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Air pollution

Scientists were of the view that the single largest influence of air pollution was the amount of carbon dioxide. Motor vehicles worldwide were a major contributor to the gas in the atmosphere.

“Nano formulation can augment fuel efficiency by up to 35 per cent as it reduces per capita consumption. That means we have to use smaller amount of materials,” Prof. Narayan said.

“It [nano-treatment] reduces friction among various engine parts considerably and in turn adds to the lubricating quality of the machine,” he said.

Combusion rate

With lowering of the fuel combustion rate, air pollution rate also came down, scientists said.

Prof. Narayan said: “In future nanometals — which are ductile as well as tough enough — may play an important role in improving fuel efficiency.”

Over a 100 scientists gathered to exchange their ideas and experiences at an International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, organised by the Ansal Institute of Technology, recently in Gurgaon.

“Nanotechnology doesn’t replace any system, but it improvises the existing ones,” Mr. Bellamkonda said.

Scientists often attributed emission rate from a vehicle to its weight as well, along with the other factors. “Weight of vehicles is a momentous factor as far as pollution is concerned,” he said.

“Gas exhausted from aircraft pollute the atmosphere. But by using nanotechnology, if we can reduce the weight of the aircraft, it will bring down the emission as well,” he explained. — PTI

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