In California, electric utility companies are racing to complete tree-trimming and inspection of poles and towers ahead of wildfire season, which starts in the summer and peaks in the fall. In some areas, insulated wires are being installed and fireproofing coatings are being sprayed on electricity poles and towers. The development of new fireproofing and insulation materials is key to this protection effort. These new materials have emerged from the development of nanotechnology molecules that can be created with fireproofing qualities and mixed with liquid delivery mediums to enable thin protective coatings to be sprayed.

Nanotechnology has provided the means to use the basic structure of materials ‒ their molecules ‒ to enhance desirable characteristics. This approach has been used in pharmaceuticals and commercial polymers. Research is now seeking methods to assemble single molecules into supramolecular assemblies consisting of many molecules arranged in a well-defined manner. Hopefully, many products can be developed that overcome current material and construction limitations or weaknesses, such as corrosion or flammability.

Decades ago, chemistry produced synthetic fibers and plastics that helped improve living standards, as well as the ability to replace heavier, less consumer-friendly materials. With nanotechnology, scientists and businessmen are pushing the frontiers of material science and commerciality to develop the next generation of breakthrough materials and products. What they will be remains to be seen, but the capabilities of modern technology should never be underestimated, and our lives will benefit.

For this Company Spotlight, we interviewed NanoTech’s CEO and Co-Founder, Mike Francis, about how the company is revolutionizing the fireproofing and insulation industries. NanoTech is a material science company focused on fireproofing and insulation technologies. Their proprietary technologies can fireproof with their existing coating systems or be used as an additive into traditional building materials. For more information on NanoTech, please visit www.thenanoshield.com.

Background: In 2019, Mike Francis’ business partner demonstrated to him a fireproofing technology that was applied to a piece of Styrofoam and subsequently torched with a high intensity flame. The coated Styrofoam came out…..READ MORE

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Nanotechnology Opens New Horizons for Innovation