At the tiny scale of a billionth of a meter, where atoms and molecules reign supreme, lies the extraordinary domain of nanotechnology. This cutting-edge field, operating at dimensions of 100 nanometers or less, grants us the power to manipulate matter at its most fundamental level, unlocking a world of possibilities that were previously unimaginable.
In the quest for a sustainable future, nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful force, driving innovation in various industries, from healthcare to chemical engineering.
The term "nano" derives from the Greek word "nanos," meaning "dwarf." This miniature scale is incredibly challenging to comprehend, as it defies our everyday sensory experience. A mere atom, for instance, measures only 0.1 to 0.5 nanometers in diameter. In comparison, DNA molecules are about 2.5 nanometers wide, and viruses hover around 100 nanometers in size. Red blood cells, the workhorses of our circulatory system, encompass a mere 10,000 nanometers, and human hair, a relatively clumsy object at the nanoscale, spans a staggering 100,000 nanometers.
However, the fascination with the nanoscale extends beyond its sheer minuteness. Working at this microscopic level opens up a realm where the laws of physics become delightfully strange.
Due to their diminutive size, Nanoparticles exhibit remarkable properties and behaviours that defy our classical understanding. Gravity, for instance, plays a much-diminished role for these tiny particles, allowing them to display levitation and other counterintuitive phenomena.
The prospect of manipulating matter at the nanoscale holds the promise of revolutionising science, industry, and society. From developing ultra-efficient batteries and solar cells to creating medical marvels like targeted drug delivery and regenerative tissues, nanotechnology promises to reshape our world in ways we can only begin to imagine.
This brave new world of the nanoscale holds the potential to transform our lives in ways that were once the stuff of science fiction. It is a field that demands our attention, inspires our imagination, and challenges our understanding of the natural world.
Among the nanotech pioneers, Nium stands alongside four other companies:
PlanetCare: microfibre filters for cleaner wastewater
- Innovating microfibre filters for washing machines, PlanetCare captures microplastics before they enter wastewater.
- Their electrically charged fibre and membrane nanotechnology offers a sustainable solution for environmentally conscious users in the fashion and textile industry.
Hydropel by Oceanit: nano-materials for safe H2 transportation
- Hydropel's nano-material treatments enhance pipeline and tank safety for hydrogen (H2) transportation and storage.
- Addressing 'hydrogen embrittlement,' their technology prevents brittleness, cracks, and leaks in steel exposed to H2.
Sixfold Bioscience: precision RNA therapies for cancer
- Pioneering Mergo, a siRNA technology, Sixfold Bioscience delivers therapies to cancer cells within specific organs.
- Leveraging natural RNA-delivery pathways, this breakthrough minimises side effects, offering precise cancer treatments.
CarbonCure Technologies: sustainable concrete with captured CO2
- Focused on carbon dioxide removal, CarbonCure Technologies enables producers to use captured CO2 for sustainable concrete mixes.
- Their innovative solutions support the construction industry's demand for environmentally friendly concrete.
Nium leads its nanotech charge with 'Green Ammonia on Demand,' decarbonising and transforming the traditional, highly-polluting Haber-Bosch ammonia production process. Eliminating the need for fossil fuels, Nium's nano-catalyst and renewable power synthesis offers a cleaner, more cost-effective solution which produces green ammonia.
Green ammonia's impact
Nium's 'green ammonia on demand' marks a paradigm shift in ammonia production, providing a scalable, efficient, and fossil-fuel-free system. This innovation can eliminate 1.4%, or 450 megatonnes, of annual CO2 emissions from fertilisers, with an additional 3% reduction in maritime CO2 emissions. Green ammonia is also a versatile vector for green hydrogen energy, contributing to the ongoing efforts to decarbonise critical industrial processes.
The Nium difference
Decoupling ammonia production from fossil-fuel-powered plants, Nium's nano-catalyst and renewable power synthesis redefine the landscape. By reducing pressure, temperature, and overall energy in ammonia catalysis, Nium eliminates the need for fossil fuels, presenting a cleaner, more sustainable alternative.
Conclusion
As we embrace the challenges of climate change, these nanotechnology companies exemplify the impact of small-scale solutions in building a more sustainable and equitable world. Nium's Green Ammonia technology stands at the forefront, offering a glimpse into a future where nanotech catalysts pave the way for a cleaner, greener planet.
If you would like to know more about Nium and our nanotechnology, and specifically if you are interested in clean ammonia, please get in touch, as we are always open to partnership discussions: hello@wearenium.com
