Salting Nanotech

The future of nanotech development on a large scale may have been uncovered by a team of researchers at Oregon State University. And that future is found inside a salt shaker.

By way of the simple process of melting and absorbing heat (above 800 degrees C) at a critical moment during what is known as a “magnesiothermic reaction,” salt’s sodium chloride (mixed with magnesium and diatomaceous earth) prevents the collapse of created nanostructures. Then, the molten salt is washed away by dissolving it in water. Thus, it can be recycled for future use.



Credit: Oregon State University

David Xiulei Ji, an assistant professor of chemistry in the OSU College of Science who developed the method, tells us that “this could be what it takes to open up an important new industry. There are methods now to create silicon nanostructures, but they are very costly and can only produce tiny amounts. The use of salt as a heat scavenger in this process should allow the production of high-quality silicon nanostructures in large quantities at low cost. If we can get the cost low enough many new applications may emerge.”

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most profound. And, they are often the ones that work.- See more at: http://interestingengineering.com/salting-nanotech/#sthash.KrbQqN8L.dpuf