Nano liquid glass protection-food for thought

[Dermott Reilly (RFID4U)]

Emerging technologies are changing food processes.
You may have already heard of RFID (radio frequency identification) where tiny tags and sensors monitor everything from quality control, access points, fridge-stock rotation to laundry ID, asset location and fire / flood prevention. As infrastructure technologies overlap RF will converge with wireless broadband, which will embrace nano technologies. Hence there are major technological innovations afoot that can help us solve old problems in new ways, perhaps more environmentally.

Nano-scale technologies are amazing, even if difficult to conceptualize. The easier way to appreciate the nano scale is to imagine the size of our world compared to a walnut. If you had a line with nano-scale particle at one end and the globe positioned at the other end our imaginary walnut would scale about half-way!
According to the Royal Society, nanotechnology is "the design, characterisation, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at nanometre scale." The technology is no longer a concept for academic discussion.

The food industry is investing billions in nano research. New foods that taste better, have less negative effects, or make you healthier, are sought. Already we have Canola oils that stops cholesterol entering the blood stream. But it is not food per se that is being transformed by nanotechnologies, but the whole infrastructure around food from farm to fork.

Numerous products are available that will transform the way we clean our buildings, sanitize our work areas, protect our environment and help save energy. In fact some of these products sound almost too good to be true. Take Nanopool (www.nanopool.eu), nano-engineered fluids for example.
Here we see a food safe fluid that stops dirt and bacteria sticking to the surface! We are heading towards self cleaning fridges, scratch-proof cars and the eradication of chemicals as we know it for cleaning.

Known as LGSF’s, (liquid glass surface fluids) these remarkable nanoparticles have the capacity to literally transform the way we clean, manage and protect our environment. Our food surface worktops, floors, fridges and homes, public toilets, footpaths will be safer and cleaner with robust protection, longer shelf life and easier to manage. Cleaning cycles can be reduced by 30%-50%.
A single brick can absorb a liter of rain water, but a simple nano-coating renders it waterproof, yet breathable, thus making homes and corporate property much more energy efficient. Footpaths that are waterproof are dryer and safer. And as H20 is now a scarce commodity that is good news for pond life as well as everything else that depend on water.

Environmentally, aggressive cleaning chemicals can be replaced with more gentle products.
These treatments have been created in order to satisfy the strict demand for self cleaning and easy clean food surfaces and utensils which possess background bacteria-static effects. It may sound as though it is too good to be true but extensive independent testing confirms the exceptional characteristics of the products.

Nano technology allows the engineering of nano scale particles and coatings that can bring massive benefits to Society. Already widely deployed in drug development, cosmetics, communication technologies, landfill site decontamination / restoration, medical devices, auto paints, to the creation of the successful breast cancer antibody Herceptin, and the anti-leukaemia drug Mylotarg.

Central to one of the most effective forms of nano technology is the Sol Gel process. (This is the process which is used by Nanopool) This process, which was established more than 50 years ago, has recently been refined by German research engineers, with the result that they can now consistently manufacture SiO2 (liquid glass).

This glass, which is particle free, can be applied to any surface thus creating a nano layer of super-phobic protection which rejects soiling of any form. Not only does this invisible super durable, flexible yet breathable nano coating protect against soiling, abrasion, acids, alkalis, UV rays, solvents and massive temperature fluctuations but it can be laced with anti-bacterial components which remain active for the life of the coating-up to 10 years.

So why are these products of specific interest to the food industry?

As mentioned, these coatings can be applied to almost any surface including skin, with the implication that all surfaces within a facility can be ‘nanoed’ with great ease and at very low cost.

Milk-tankers, pigsty units, poultry transporters, wash basins, mirrors, toilets, door handles, taps, shower curtains, baths, work surfaces, cookers, hobs etc. can be treated with a simple wipe or spray in a matter of seconds creating washroom areas which will be bacteria free for at least 6 months. Once treated with this food safe coating, surfaces can be cleaned very easily as the soiling agents will not have adhered to the surface.

Within food processing plants this is particularly useful. Everything from food assembly lines to catering utensils can be “nanoed” in seconds, and for just a few pence, as one liter of Nanopool treatment will cover 300m2 of glass or plastic. Previously, molded anti bac sinks units cost hundreds of pounds and door handles cost £20-£30.

Additionally, the environmental benefits are of enormous significance as in most instances the treated surfaces can be cleaned without the use of detergents or other cleaning products. A simple swish of water or a rub of an NP micro-fibre cloth will suffice. There is also Stone Treatment which creates a stain proof and anti bacterial covering for tiled or stone surfaces and Oven Treatment which is effective up to 450 C. All of the Nanopool treatments can be applied with great ease at the production or post production stage.
Significantly the products are environmentally benign. Soon we will be nanoing every surface in the home, the workplace and public leisure facilities.

Nano no-nos

As can be imagined, the interest in these products is enormous – but first a word of caution. As with all new technologies there are many charlatans who are all too keen to capitalise on the ‘Nano’ concept. Sadly, some organisations within the UK are already marketing products which are presented as being true nano products when quite clearly they are not. How do they manage this? Quite simply really. Water, (H2O) could be described as a nano product.

To avoid being part of ‘the great nano rip off’ ask your supplier for proof that the products are nano engineered.

Having recognised this caveat we should be keen to embrace this new technology as the benefits are enormous. Not only have sales contracts for nano products in Germany already reached over the 60 million € mark, but nano products are now on sale in German supermarkets with trials currently taking place with a number of major UK retailers.

‘It seems 2007-8 is the year of the liquid nano llass revolution.
With more information and communication hopefully the public will be better informed and will see the benefits in cost savings and labor. We need to utilize to the maximum the enormous benefits for the environmental implicit in nano products, whilst keeping our mind open to any negative impacts from the food, animal feed perspective.
For further information please contact:
Dermott Reilly
+44 (0)7812 849508.
dermott.reilly@nanoland.net Web: www.nanoland.net