Nano-dwarves as environmental angels

Another possible application for nanotechnology is in the area of fuel cell technology and with respect to efficient pollutant filters. The target in this case is to drastically reduce fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and vehicle wear. One possible first step could be the coating of the inlet valves of catalytic converters. In the case of direct injection petrol engines, burnt fuel re-enters the combustion chamber through these inlet valves, and as a rule, unwanted hydrocarbons then deposit themselves inside the chamber. A catalytic valve coating breaks them up and prevents depositing from taking place. BMW has already introduced onto the market a catalytically coated filter system for diesel cars that is able to function without any need for additional fuel. In the distant future filters could be developed that, with the help of nanopores or forests of carbon nano-tubes, are able to capture pollutants even more efficiently. Adding nano-additives to petrol or cylinder walls could even result in catalytic converters being made redundant altogether. A definite timeframe for the introduction of these technological innovations has yet to be drawn up, however.

The engineers in BMW's materials concepts and simulations department are looking into all the various possible applications of nanotechnology, and in each area one engineer is responsible for keeping an eye on the technology, so that synergies can be used and possible applications discussed. According to Nikolaides there is no doubt whatsoever that the little helpers will facilitate driving in the future. Drivers, however, should dispel themselves of the notion that one day the existence of little nano-robots will result in problem-free driving. "That", says BMW's nanospecialist, "is something firmly in the realm of science fiction."