Example Of Nanomaterials In Mechanical Devices And Applications Essay

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Recent developments in molecular and quantum engineering have led to the manipulation of materials in a molecular level in order to attain certain properties. In this age where technology development leans towards nanotechnology, the potential applications of nanomaterial in engineering are of utmost interest not only to the scientific community but to society as a whole. In the area of mechanical engineering in particular, the need for material properties that would address design issues is of critical importance and nanotechnology could provide the solution to mechanical design problems. As observed, manufacturers of electronic devices seek out a steady miniaturization of components. Obviously, by incorporating miniature components, a device can be made more powerful in terms of computer or memory capacity. But aside from application of electronic materials on mechanical devices as its processing unit or artificial intelligence, nanomaterials are being used for their mechanical properties in terms of their physical properties. The carbon element, for example, is known to have several allotropes. These allotropes are microscopically engineered order to produce such as nanotubes and other carbon-based nanomaterials. Fullerenes, for example, are made of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a symmetrical truncated icosahedron . Due to its carbon properties, Fullerenes are extremely strong molecules that can resist high pressures. Because of these properties, this nanomaterial is being developed as an essential component in lubricants . Carbon nanotubes, on the other hand, have semiconductors and metallic properties depending on how they are engineered. Nanotubes’ desirable properties such as rigidity, strength, elasticity, electric conductivity, and field emission can be utilized in mechanical devices and other applications. Evidently, there are enormous potential for nanomaterials not only in mechanical applications but also in almost all areas of engineering and the physical sciences.

Works Cited

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