Breakthrough benefits

The ports sector is a pretty conservative industry and not known for rushing to try out new technologies. And, to be fair, nanotechnology isn’t exactly a mainstream topic for most of us.

But ask the experts and they will point out a myriad of nanotechnology applications that are clearly relevant to the maritime world – and, indeed, identify some already in use. Looking at what could be achieved through nanotechnology, the benefits include saving fuel, reducing pollution, improving maintenance/operations, protecting equipment from corrosion, incorporating sensors for various functions, creating more efficient lighting, and enabling new security measures.

Recently, GE Global Research announced the development of new RFID-based sensors for detecting chemicals used in explosives or other hazardous materials at ports. The penny-sized, battery-free RFID tags are coated with a sensing material that responds to explosives and oxidisers and could be placed on the outside of a container or on other surfaces. If the presence of an explosive or oxidiser is detected, the sensing material will change its electronic properties and trigger the RFID tag to send an alert to a reader.

These sensors could dramatically increase the accuracy and improve the limits of detection of dangerous chemical threats, says Radislav Potyrailo, GE’s principal investigator on the project. “Fast and accurate chemical detection and quantification are vital to help ensuring the safety of cargo that passes through our nation’s ports.”

Other ongoing developments have ranged from an underwater robot for port security to nanotechnology-based solutions for oil spills, including nano-dispersants, oil-absorbing robots and magnetic materials.

Port plus

“There will be situations all over the place in a port where you already have nanotechnology and don’t know it,” says Terry Wilkins, chief executive of the NanoManufacturing Institute, a Leeds-based organisation that acts as a conduit between academia and industry.

“Think of the hidden and embedded microchips in all the computerised transistors and diodes. Nanotechnology is in all of our lives – for example, in the microchips in our cell phones, which contain billions of tiny transmitters 100,000th the width of a human hair. Or touch screens, which are covered with a film containing nano-particles, which change the electrical properties of the surface of the screen.”

He believes we have now gone through the ‘nano-hype’ phase of ‘just about everything was possible and was going to happen’.

“We are now at a point where we can understand nanotechnology and see where it can be useful and where, frankly, it might be a waste of time. And that’s the key – understanding which stuff is worth investing in to create products and processes in industry. We have started the journey into realism.”

What, then, might that deliver for the ports industry? “It is a case of looking at where you could make shipping more efficient, reduce environmental impact and reduce energy consumption,” he says. “What would make a crane more efficient and more effective? Reducing power consumption, for a start.

“Then there is a lot of work being done on corrosion – for example, on oil drilling platforms. There are potential surface treatments using nanotechnology or even bionanotechnology to inhibit and prevent corrosion and prevent antifouling – clearly applicable to shipping. And as well as antifouling and anti-rust coatings, nanotechnology is also delivering self-cleaning surfaces, which work on glass, too.”

Engine aid

Nanotechnology is being applied to prolong the life of hard-working engines – using ‘nano-layers’ on the wearing parts to provide a hardened surface that doesn’t wear very much and also works with new generation engine oils effective over the range of temperatures and power. It is also delivering more efficient burning of fuel, says Mr Wilkins. By adding nano-particles to the fuel, savings of between five and nine per cent have been demonstrated.

Nanotechnology is also delivering ever more minuscule and cheaper sensors – offering opportunities for increased automation and also the capture of performance information on equipment, to allow for more preventative maintenance and longer running between maintenance stops.

Solar cells are another major area of focus, together with all forms of power generation. “Nanotechnology supporting energy production, transmission and storage would make a big impact,” says Mr Wilkins. “Solar power will be so much better.”

Another area coming to the market is polymer composites – reinforced plastics created to be thin, lightweight and stronger, at the same time possessing extra electrical and thermal properties – described as a new category of hybrid materials. Nanostructured composites are used in aerospace and the automotive industry.

“We probably won’t have plastic ships but perhaps there could be plastic containers,” says Mr Wilkins. “Perhaps a rigid frame, with the rest reinforced plastic – the lighter weight would provide cheaper shipping.”

Some areas of nanotechnology are moving at a faster pace than others, he says. “But nanoscience has today become part of mainstream science – the difficulty is supporting smaller companies in initiatives and growth.”

Scientists and academics can deliver great ideas, but these have to translate effectively into the real world and be cost effective, he says. No matter how marvellous an invention might be, take-up is unlikely if it’s more expensive than the traditional, proven method it seeks to replace.

Cost criteria

Andrew Penfold, project director at Ocean Shipping Consultants, agrees: “The first issue is going to be the cost versus the benefits. A port or terminal will have to see tangible benefits to undertake the investment. There is primary, essential investment, such as in the key infrastructure – cranes, quay, etc., which is necessary to remain competitive and to retain and attract traffic. So, on this basis an assessment of the need [to invest] will always be an initial take on the subject by a port operator or authority. The ports/maritime sector is generally quite conservative, but at the same time I’ve always felt that it is open to new technology – once it can be proven – if it can improve their operation and effectiveness to customers.”

If there are definite benefits to be derived, such as reducing pollution or improving maintenance/operations, then that would be a deciding factor in how much a nanotechnology-based initiative would gain traction, says Mr Penfold. “Operating expense is, of course, a major factor in the operation of any port or terminal and the ability to reduce it and gain a longer working life out of equipment without compromising the level of operational efficiency and service to customers will no doubt appeal greatly. I see the challenge as seeing the proof – once there is definite proof that there are benefits then I’d expect operators to be interested in learning more and how they might benefit.”