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Nanotechnology—Views from the Top › Nanotechnology Improves Materials, Enhances Performance Paul Camuti, President and CEO, Siemens Corporate Research Much of today’s manufacturing and product improvements happen on the molecular level. The ability to manipulate material properties at the nanometer scale enables manufacturers to take advantage of unique material characteristics. One such application is specialized coatings with water-resistant surfaces made from nanomaterials that can eliminate moisture condensation on high-voltage insulators. This is important because sparkover of an insulator is usually due to humidity and dirt on its surface. Thus, prevention of water-fi lm formation improves the reliability of highvoltage transmission lines. A hydrophobic nanocoating causes water droplets to simply roll off an insulator. Many waterresistant nanotechnologies are derived from looking at nature—in this case, the lotus flower. Another application of nanotechnology is in the preparation of reinforced polymer composites using carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These lightweight materials have improved stiffness, strength, and durability which, in turn, enable the construction of lighter, larger, and more efficient rotor blades for the generation of wind energy. CNTs are also being used in multi-pixel x-ray technology. Their small size and fast response time will allow the development of digital x-ray sources, which could revolutionize medical imaging. In the area of energy-efficient lighting, quantum-dot emitters represent an important breakthrough. Characterizing quantum efficiency of luminescent materials and devices, however, is challenging. We need to have standard measurement techniques established so that the development of this technology can move forward. The current economic situation has created some challenges for the manufacturing industry. Nanotechnology has the potential to improve product performance and drive important cost savings. ei › Standards Benefit Manufacturers and Drive Innovation Sujeet Chand, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Rockwell Automation Nanotechnology holds great promise for exciting new applications for electrical manufacturers enabled by breakthroughs in lighter, stronger, and cheaper materials, coatings, devices, and electronics. Today, nanomaterials are engineered into consumer products like paints, sports equipment, apparel, and cosmetics. Since nanotechnology is fundamentally different from existing technology and processes, an understanding of environmental, safety, and health impacts in R&D, production, application, disposal, and recycling is essential to widespread deployment and use. Electrical manufacturers will rely on standards to help them deliver the next generation of products with improved performance at an acceptable cost. The development of global standards that specify material attributes, production processes, and industrial applications is a necessary prerequisite to the broader use of nanotechnology in electrical products. Industry needs this common terminology. In this regard, IEC TC 113 is leading the formulation of terminology, characterization, and performance assessment of nanomaterials. NEMA is providing the secretariat and administration services for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to IEC TC 113, while Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is providing the international chair. Other U.S. efforts focused on nanotechnology standards are underway in the IEEE (electrical properties), ASTM (material measurements), and SEMI (manufacturing processes). All of these efforts are sharing information and participants to provide a strong U.S. platform in setting acceptable international standards for the benefit of our industry. These important global standards activities will greatly benefit manufacturers in all sectors and will drive greater innovation in end products and new areas of research and development. ei August 09 • NEMA electroindustry 3

August 09 ElectroIndustry

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 09 ElectroIndustry