RAW's Nanotechnology Science
RAW's technology portfolio is built from the molecule up.
Nano-bubbles, nano-formulated ZERO hazard bio-based chemicals and nano-molecular manufactured water filtration membranes are all part of our dynamic solutions.
These technologies excel at improving processes and reducing energy consumption, yet remain safe for humans and the world we live in.
These are positive disruptive technologies that change the technology landscape and how we interact with it.
RAW impacts every industry through its selective technology offering. The common theme is a suite of cost competitive products that will positively impact your bottom line.
All this while doing no-harm. Technologies are safe for employees, safe for the environment and our planet and a responsible alternative to the status quo.
At the nano-scale, 1 sq. cm. can be 1/3 larger than a football field!
How does 1 sq. cm. become larger than a football field?
A hypothetical experiment shows why nano-particles have phenomenally high surface areas. A solid
cube of a material 1 cm on a side has 6 square centimeters of surface area, about equal to one side of
half a stick of gum.
But; if that volume of 1 cubic centimeter were filled with cubes 1 mm on each side, it would be the equivalent of 1,000 millimeter-sized cubes (10 x 10 x 10) with each one having a surface area of 6 square
millimeters, for a total surface area of 60 square centimeters—about the same as one side of two-thirds
of a 3” x 5” note card.
When the 1 cubic centimeter is filled with micrometer-sized cubes—a trillion (1012) of them, each with a surface area of 6 square micrometers—the total surface area amounts to 6 square meters, or about the area of the main bathroom in an average house.
And when that single cubic centimeter of volume is filled with 1-nano-meter-sized cubes—1021 of them, each with an area of 6 square nano-meters—their total surface area comes to 6,000 square meters. In other words, a single cubic centimeter of cubic antiparticles has a total surface area one-third larger than a football field!
Nature perfected nano-scale engineering millions of years ago and it is only now with advancements to science that humans are learning to work with the universe around us at the molecular level. A deeper understanding of the potential impacts of what we learn can be seen all around us and these insights are allowing us to re-shape the world we live in and the tools we use to survive.
-
Understanding how a Gecko is able to walk on vertical surfaces using nano sized hairs on their toes which wrap around surface irregularities has inspired the introduction of gloves which enables a person to climb a glass wall.
-
The vibrant blue colours from butterfly wings and peacock feathers is the key to creating camouflage and may even allow us to create the mythical cloak of invisibility by bending light to hide whatever is behind it.
-
The structure of lotus leaves are being copied to create new water-repellent coatings which are being used to make stain-proof clothing and anti-icing surfaces on airplane wings and wind turbines.
-
The lowly cicada wings are being copied to create antimicrobial surfaces which eliminate the need for disinfectants.
-
Even photosynthesis is being studied at the nano level so we can gain a better understanding of why the transfer of energy in this process is nearly 100% efficient. Insights into photosynthesis could become the new model for green energy.
Understanding the fundamental components of matter enables us to create solutions to some of the biggest challenges that man must face. What we see at the macro level we live in is often upturned with what is known at the nano-scale where materials often having different properties.
For instance:
-
At the nano-scale, electrical charges are opposite to our macro-world. Instead of a positive magnetic pole being attracted to a negative magnetic pole, at the nano-scale positives can attract to other positive poles and negative to negative.
-
Some materials are better at conducting electricity or heat at the nano-scale than at the macro scale.
-
What we have come to recognize as gold particles are not yellow at nano-scale size but can appear red or even purple.
Working at the nano-scale enables scientists to create new tools, products and technologies which will address some of the biggest challenges we face. Electronics are made faster with larger data storage capacity, drugs and medical devices will detect and treat diseases more quickly and effectively with fewer side effects, sensors will be able to detect and identify harmful chemical or biological agents and battery power is enhanced. These are just a few of the opportunities created with a better understanding of life at the molecular level.
RAW is at the forefront of this change. Our goal is to integrate these practical alternatives into standard processes.
Our full line of ZERO hazard nano-formulations easily replace traditional petrochemicals. They are demonstrating an ability to perform tasks which conventional chemicals are unable to achieve. Incredibly small active ingredients in our solutions create massive surface area to volume ratios which in turn accelerates industrial processes.
Our PCM filtration membranes are comprised of 21 different types of materials bonded at the molecular level to create filters which can remove all impurities from water and does so with 50 - 60% reductions to energy use when compared to other market ready technologies. Titanium, aluminum, polyvinyl and lignin are just a few of the materials blended together at the molecular level to create what is a brand new type of substrate.
Oxygen is the elixir of life and supports all living plants and animals. It not only supports life on earth, it is used in industrial processes to create alternative products.
RAW's nano-bubbler super-saturates fluids with oxygen or other gases to accelerate processes and improve performance. Where larger bubbles cannot remain suspended in fluids because of their buoyancy, nano-bubbles remain in fluids indefinitely.
Super-saturated fluids can be used to demulsify oil from water, improve water quality by creating more oxygen for bacteria to consume carbon sources and clean up waterways and ponds, accelerate plant growth and reduce or eliminate the need for antibiotics in livestock normally needed to keep them healthy. These and a multitude of other uses make nano-bubbles and indispensable part of our daily lives.
Nano-technology is defined as science, engineering and technology sized between 1 - 100 nano-meters. How small is a nano-meter? In the International System of Units, the prefix "nano" means one-billionth of a meter.
In order to work with and to measure molecules and atoms at this level requires an electron microscope.
It's difficult to imagine just how small that is, so let's put this in perspective.
-
Your DNA is 2.5 nano-meters wide
-
A single human hair is between 80,000 & 100,000 nano-meters wide
-
A sheet of paper is 100,000 nano-meters thick
-
Your fingernails will grow approximately one nano-meter/second.