Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!

The Sky's the Limit with Nanotechnology

By Kristin Johansson, Chief Editor, PCI
editors viewpoint
January 4, 2012
For several years now, nanotechnology has been on the forefront of research at both the academic and corporate levels. According to a study by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., although the recent global economic recession dampened the optimistic expectations and strong growth patterns of previous years, the global market for products incorporating nanotechnology is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.1 percent between 2010 and 2015 to reach $2.4 trillion.

The report also states that products incorporating nanotechnology make up the largest product segment of the chemicals industry. As researchers are discovering new ways that nanoparticles can alter the performance of coatings, the possibilities seem almost endless. I recently read about two such examples. Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a “perfect black” carbon-nanotube coating that conceals an object’s three-dimensional geometry and makes it look like a flat black sheet. The 70-micron coating, or carbon-nanotube carpet, is about half the thickness of a sheet of paper and absorbs 99.9 percent of the light that hits it.

According to Jay Guo, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and principal investigator, “It’s not cloaking, as the object can still cast a shadow. But if you put an object on a black background, then with this coating, it could really become invisible.” The refractive index of this new coating is similar to that of air, meaning light traveling through air doesn’t scatter or reflect when it hits the coating, causing the human eye not to perceive it.

The coating could have a variety of applications, including display screens with ultrahigh contrast and a crisper picture, solar heating devices, and a new type of camouflaging paint for stealth aircraft. Farther south, researchers at North Carolina State University are examining the use of conductive nanocoatings on simple textiles, like woven cotton or even a sheet of paper. According to Dr. Jesse Jur, Assistant Professor of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, finding a way to apply conductive nanocoatings to textiles would represent a cost-effective approach and framework for improving current and future types of electronic devices.

The potential for this research lies heavily in health and monitoring applications, including a uniform with cloth sensors embedded in the actual material that could track heart rate, body temperature and movement in real time. Nanotechnology is one of our topics in this issue of PCI. Be sure to read the article by BYK-Chemie on page 16, which reports on recent advances in using additives based on carbon nanotubes to enhance the electrical conductivity of several coating systems. Carbon nanotubes can offer an interesting alternative to the typical conductive pigments like carbon black or metallic particles. This truly is an exciting time to be in the coatings industry. At the rate that nano research is moving, perhaps turning a piece of paper into a computer tablet or creating Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak aren’t that far away from becoming reality!

KEYWORDS: nanocoating nanotechnology

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Kristin200 new

Kristin has been with BNP Media since 1992. She was named Editor of PCI in 2010 after being Managing Editor for 12 years.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • pci1022-Kinaltek-Lead-1170.jpg

    A Novel Pigment Production Technology

    Following an extensive R&D program that demonstrated...
    Paint and Coating Pigments
    By: Jawad Haidar and Nitin Soni
  • pci global top 10

    2025 Global Top 10: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    The following is PCI’s annual ranking of the top 10...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • 2025 pci 25

    2025 PCI 25: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    PCI's annual ranking of the top 25 North American paint...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
    Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

    Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

  • paint sprayer in a workshop
    Sponsored byallnex

    Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

Popular Stories

No. 7 BASF Coatings

BASF Comments on Potential Sale of Coatings Business

No. 3 AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel’s $1.4B Divestment Signals Strategy Shift

PCI voices from the top

eBook | PCI Voices from the Top



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 3, 2025

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

See More Products
pci voices from the top ebook

PCI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • PCI Blog

    The Sky's the Limit with Nanotechnology

    See More
  • Sherwin Williams Lead Image.JPG

    The Sky’s the Limit

    See More
  • pci editors viewpoint

    Kicking Off the Coatings Trade Show Season with Mardi Gras!

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Kevin-Biller-PC-BOOK.jpg

    Powder Coatings - Foundation for the Novice Formulator (ebook)

See More Products
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing