What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the set of methods and techniques for the manipulation of matter on an atom-molecular scale, it has the aim of creating radically new products and processes, allowing us to face problems that were previously unsolvable.
The Lotus Effect
In 1982 a German botanist discovered why the leaves of the lotus plant are self-cleaning: the surface of the leaves of this plant were not smooth, as supposed, but nano-rough.
The invisible and tiny reliefs of the structure of the leaves unprotected from liquids and dirt to adhere to the surface of the leaf.
Following this discovery, nanobionic engineering started.
From lotus leaves to hypalon
Nanotechnology plans to create nano applications that transform atoms and molecules of hypalon and PVC surfaces, which acquire amazing new features and properties. For each type of substrate and application, atom-molecular molecules, called “nanoparticles”, must be programmed and programmed.
The hydrophobicity of a surface is defined by the contact angle. The higher the contact angle the greater the hydrophobicity of a surface.
Nanotechnological engineering transforms the contact angle making the surface repellent to water adhesion. The water flows away in the form of pearls, dragging the impurity with it.
By adopting the lotus flower principle, the surfaces are always shiny and clean.
The R&D office of Pennel et Flipo used these new technolgy, and has been able to grant the following effects:
- water repellency
- oil repellency
- dirt repellency
- limescale repellency
- anti oxidation
And these are the reasons why is better to NOT use antifouling on tubes.
Read also: Can I use antifouling on tubes?