Tag Archives: analogy

A new nanotechnology analogy

One of the things that fascinates me is the use of metaphors and analogies to explain various nanotechnology discoveries and breakthroughs. I found a new one (analogy) this morning, raspberries. ‘Nano-raspberries to fight foggy windows and eyeglasses‘ is the title for an article on Nanowerk News that focuses on a nanoparticle’s shape.

Junhui He and colleagues note that researchers have been working on anti-fog technology for years. Fogged-up windows are a safety hazard and a nuisance that affect millions of people. Existing technology, including sprays that must be reapplied to stay effective, has many drawbacks. Researchers knew that raspberry-shaped nanoparticles could be the ideal solution by disrupting the process in which water droplets fog glass. Until now, however, there has been no commercially feasible way to make these particles

As usual, it will take five years before their new process can be commercialized. Why is it always five years? Back to my original topic, this is my first fruit analogy (nanotechnologically-speaking that is).