Nanotechnology and the Future with Clean Energy by Tatiana Velitchkov

Nanotechnology and the Future with Clean Energy

Harnessing the power of tidal currents has the potential to provide unheard of clean, renewable energy production. Nanotechnology, with its innovative approach and non-surpassed success rate, may be the conduit needed to perfect the viability of ocean-current power as an alternative energy source.
Ocean currents are a natural phenomena located along most coastlines. The only requirement for harnessing their power is that the currents amalgamate under the surface of the ocean at depths of between eighty to two hundred and thirty feet (25 - 70 meters) with a flow of between five to ten feet per second. Harnessing this type of natural energy production it is not only a feasible undertaking, but is also quite an efficient way of supplying a clean, alternative energy source.
Although tidal power is an amazing concept, wave power also offers a much needed link to cheaper, cleaner power and its availability and conversion is being investigated vigorously in the ongoing race to market an economical, clean, renewable source of energy. Concerting above ground wind turbine units to meet undersea performance is technologically possible and, with a few adjustments, present day wind turbines are easily adapted to harness the awesome power of the sea.
Physicists have studied the gravitational pull of the moon and its effect on ocean currents for eons. Ocean tides are predictable, constant, natural occurrences that are easily forecasted for years in advance. This awesome and essentially untapped source of alternative power is not negatively affected either by adverse weather conditions or climate changes - which makes it ideal for further investigation and implementation. In order to harness the full power of the ocean, nanotechnology may be just the ticket needed to successfully construct man-made tidal dams designed to control the flow as the tides ebb and recede. Predetermined openings would allow ocean currents to flow up through these gaps into a bay or estuary where the water is collected in the dam-like barrage and then released via a series of sluice gates and through a turbine which in turn generates electricity.
This alternative energy source is well established in La Rance France where a 240 megawatt facility has been operating since 1966. In addition, other, smaller sites have also garnered some success in Canada and in South Korea plans are underway to construct a plant larger than the one in France. However, there is one drawback to this type of power harnessing. Naturalists and environmentalists are concerned with the effects that constant flooding of the barrages has on the delicate ecosystems within the bays and estuaries where they are located.
Nanotechnology scientists are working in close liaison with forward thinking ecologists to correct this deficiency by designing a type of tidal lagoon to house the turbines. Instead of creating dams within the estuary itself, they propose to take advantage of strides in nanotechnology in order to erect man-made lagoons just off shore which would be built up from the seabed and reach out at least one meter above the high tide level. In this type of construction, the turbines would be situated in a wall close to, but not interfering with, the seabed itself. The concept is simple and very effective: the water would flow in through the turbine during high tide filling the lagoon, at low tide the flow would be reversed and the turbines turned in the opposite direction. The result is a generation of electricity in both directions four times a day. Careful placement of the lagoon would be determined by the differential between the maximum heights achievable between high and low tides. Producing energy by this means is anticipated to cost less than any coal fired facility, while protecting and encouraging a positive ecological environment.
Plans are underway to begin construction in several locations off the coast of Wales and China. This combination of conventional technology in partnership with nanotechnology advances has put environmental and ecological issues to rest, yet there is still a viable concern that this type of energy plant may have an adverse effect on shipping lanes. However, these concerns have also been considered and development of barrage ocean turbines that operate independently with little or no interference to ship traffic is well into production stages.
Because narrow passages promote the fastest movement of currents, the feasibility of harnessing huge amounts of power via ocean turbines offers an excellent alternative to nuclear and coal fired energy generating plants. With the reduced threat of ecosystem damage, advanced technology, co-operation between industry and environmental agencies and the almost unlimited locations that can potentially provide ideal conditions for tidal/ocean power harnessing, this type of energy source is generating serious attention worldwide.
Therefore, this begs the question: Is it really necessary to expose our planet and its people to constant ecological threat by continuing to provide nuclear power and its associated danger to the environment? The answer is, unequivocally - No. For those of us who care about living in a cleaner, safer world, it is imperative that we embrace nanotechnology assisted methods of energy generation which are proven to exceed present energy output while reducing the threat of pollution and destruction of our ecosystems.

Tatiana is the owner of the Nanotechnology site www.ecophagy.com and runs www.Totally-Useless.com among many other sites.

Nano Cosmetics: Are they the Next Great Thing? by Louise Forrest

Nanotechnology int cosmetics

Women all over the world are doing a variety of things to combat aging. They want their faces to look like they did a few years ago, and are trying all kinds of new technologies to find the look of youth.
One of these new technologies is being marketed by one of the largest manufacturers of beauty products; the new technology is the use of nano particles in their cosmetics, particularly in anti aging wrinkle creams.
Nano cosmetics are so named because they utilize extremely tiny (or nano) particles to penetrate the skin far more than traditional anti aging treatments are able to do. Nano technology was originally introduced to be used in man made fibers and medicinal drugs.
Because of the ability of these particles to be absorbed into skin cells, questions have arisen concerning the long term effects of the chemicals being introduced into the body.
This is particularly an issue if the particles leach into body cells or the bloodstream. Both the British Agency, the Royal Society, and the American agency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have voiced concerns about the use of nano technology in cosmetic treatments.
These governmental bodies are calling for some serious research into the long term effects of these cosmetics in the cosmetics industry, which has been relatively unregulated since its conception. The FDA is also looking into the possibility of introducing a system which would require clinical trials and licensing within this industry.
According to the FDA, urgent research is needed to assess safety concerns about nano particles used in cosmetics. The Royal Society is also questioning whether the particles are taken into cells, whether they can enter the bloodstream, and the effects of these.
The fears arising from the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics are due to questions about possible genetic mutation as a long term effect.
Traditionally, anti-aging skin care products were designed to hold moisture in the skin by creating a barrier between the skin and the outside world. Nano particles in the new generation of cosmetics do not work this way.
They are designed to penetrate the upper layers of the skin and stimulate new skin cell production which gives skin a new, plump, and youthful appearance. Nano particles make it possible to get a multitude of chemicals into the deeper layers of skin because the chemicals can be covered by the particles.
Many of these chemicals would cause irritation in other forms and may be stimulating the inner working by irritating from the inside. This is the nano cosmetic secret to anti aging and anti-wrinkle skin care products. Basically, if your use these products, you will definitely see results, but you do not know what effects they may have on you in the long run.
This rush to influx the market with over the counter anti aging creams and other anti aging cosmetics is in answer to medical treatments for anti aging, like Botox. Skin care companies have realized that people will pay well for products that work due to the number of people who utilize (and pay for) the Botox solution for anti aging, even if it is temporary.
In an attempt to keep their competitive edge, some of the leading manufacturers, are leading this race, having patented several dozen nanosomes. A nanosome is a particle which is a staggering 800 times smaller than the diameter of a single human hair.
With the cosmetics industry steady increase in sales (approximately 10% per year), companies are always looking for ways to draw customers to their door.
While other companies are working the technology, they may not actually have products on the market yet. One of the appearance concerns that some companies are interested in using nanotechnology to answer is hair; research is ongoing to find ways to use nano particles to prevent hair from turning grey and also for loss of hair.
While the use of nanotechnology in the cosmetics industry is quite a rage for both cosmetics companies and consumers. This technology as an anti aging tool does give results, but may pose serious health concerns, not only for current generations, but for future generations.
by Louise Forrest