Ice may look harmless, but for many industries it is a persistent and expensive operational problem. From aircraft wings and wind turbines to solar panels and optical sensors, ice accumulation reduces efficiency, disrupts performance, and in some cases creates serious safety risks. Removing it typically requires either energy-intensive heating systems or repeated applications of chemical de-icers.

But now a lichen-inspired nanocomposite coating is offering a more elegant solution.

Instead of continuously fighting ice with heat or chemicals, the coating works in two stages: it delays ice formation for nearly an hour and then melts ice on demand using light-driven heating. The discovery has now been published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, with an explanation on how bio-inspired polymer nanocomposites could reshape the way surfaces deal with freezing conditions.

For industries that rely on optical clarity or exposed outdoor equipment, the breakthrough shows how nanotechnology could open a new generation of transparent, energy-efficient anti-icing coatings.

Why Ice Is Still Difficult To Manage

De-icing technology has evolved steadily over the past two decades, but most solutions remain imperfect. Hydrophobic coatings can repel water droplets, yet they usually delay freezing only briefly. Moreover, once ice begins to form, it often adheres strongly to the surface.

Active systems, such as resistive heating layers, can melt ice effectively but consume significant energy, while chemical de-icing agents introduce additional complications, such as corrosion, environmental impact, and the need for repeated application.

This combination of limitations means many industries still rely on reactive ice removal, rather than preventing ice from forming in the first place.

What was needed was a completely new way to resolve the issue. This led the researchers to look for natural systems that successfully survive in extreme cold environments. This is where they found the hidden power of lichen – symbiotic organisms commonly found on rocks and tree bark in harsh climates. Taking inspiration from this and through the application of nanotechnology, they created a proactive way to reduce the build-up of ice.

Lichens survive repeated freeze–thaw cycles thanks to their multi-scale porous structure, which manages moisture and thermal fluctuations across several length scales. This layered architecture reduces the likelihood that water will freeze directly on the organism’s surface.

Researchers translated this biological strategy into a synthetic material built from polymer-based nanocomposites. The resulting nanocoating reproduces key aspects of the lichen structure: nanoscale surface features that disrupt ice nucleation combined with a functional layer capable of converting light into heat.

The combination creates a surface that not only delays freezing but can also remove ice when exposed to sunlight.

How The Nanocomposite Coating Works

The coating relies on two complementary mechanisms.

The first mechanism targets the earliest stage of freezing: ice nucleation. Water does not immediately turn into ice when temperatures drop below zero. Instead, small clusters of molecules must first form a stable nucleus before a crystal can grow.

By engineering nanoscale roughness and structural features similar in size to these clusters, the coating disrupts this process. As the water molecules find it harder to organise into stable nuclei the onset of freezing is delayed.

The second mechanism involves photothermal heating. Here the nanocomposite incorporates light-absorbing materials that capture ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation from sunlight. These components convert absorbed light into heat, warming the surface without significantly affecting visible transparency.

The result is a coating that performs two functions simultaneously: it passively delays ice formation, and then actively melts ice when illuminated.

Nanomaterial Performance At Very Low Temperatures

Laboratory testing produced striking results, where untreated glass surfaces under controlled conditions at –30 °C began freezing within minutes. In contrast, when the nanocomposite coating was applied, the formation of ice was delayed for nearly an hour.

Furthermore, when exposed to simulated sunlight, the photothermal layer generated enough heat to raise the surface temperature significantly, often preventing ice from forming at all. If frost did develop, the surface warmed quickly once light exposure resumed, causing the ice to melt and detach.

Equally important for practical applications, the coating maintained high transparency in the visible spectrum, making it suitable for optical systems that cannot tolerate opaque or darkened surfaces.

Why Hybrid Nanocomposites Matter for Manufacturers

Unlike many anti-icing coatings which focus on a single property, such as water repellency or thermal conductivity, the lichen-inspired nanomaterial takes a different approach by combining several functionalities in one architecture.

For manufacturers, this reflects a broader shift toward multi-functional coatings that combine mechanical durability, optical clarity, and environmental responsiveness. This is a typical strength of polymer nanocomposites – the ability to combine properties.

Polymers are practical materials, as they provide flexibility, processability, and adhesion to surfaces, but they often lack in other areas. By embedding nanomaterials into the polymer matrix, specialised functions such as photothermal conversion or nanoscale texturing can be introduced, providing additional abilities – in this case, anti-icing.

Industrial Applications for an Anti-Icing Polymer Nanocomposite

The most immediate opportunities lie in sectors where surfaces must remain both ice-free and transparent.

Solar energy systems are a prime example, as ice accumulation on photovoltaic panels can dramatically reduce power output during winter months. A transparent anti-icing coating that works passively and uses sunlight for heating could help maintain efficiency without external energy input.

Optical sensors and imaging systems represent another growing market, with cameras, LiDAR units (such as the ranging devices found on self-driving vehicles), and environmental monitoring sensors increasingly operating in outdoor environments where ice formation can disrupt performance.

Aviation is another obvious target, with millions of dollars currently spent each year on active de-icing systems for plane wings, as well as external components, such as cameras, sensors, and cockpit windows.

Architectural glass, telecommunications infrastructure, and autonomous vehicle sensors could also benefit from coatings that delay freezing and reduce reliance on heating.

A Nano-Inspired Approach To A Persistent Problem

While the inspiration for this anti-icing technology has come from lichen’s approach to survival, it is the application of nanotechnology that has made this a reproducible engineering marvel.

Rather than relying on brute-force heating or chemical treatments, the composite controls ice formation at the nanoscale while using light as an efficient energy source for de-icing.

The development of this nanocomposite coating illustrates how materials can actively respond to their environment instead of simply resisting it. It also highlights, once again, nanotechnology’s ability to add properties and value to polymers. Something which could be highly valuable to industries that struggle to combat the negative effects of ice.

Photo credit: Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, & Vecteezy

While creating a nanocomposite is a highly technical process, the nanomaterials themselves can be added to a wide variety of polymers. The choice of polymer affects not only the performance improvements but also the scalability and application of the final material. Below is an overview of the main types of polymers that benefit from nanoadditives and the advantages they can gain.

Commodity Thermoplastics

Commodity thermoplastics are widely produced and used across industries, making them prime candidates for nanomodification. As such, nanoadditives are frequently incorporated into polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Why they are used with nanoadditives: These polymers are produced in huge volumes, so even small improvements in performance can translate into significant commercial advantages. Nanomaterials can help overcome the natural limitations of these plastics, making them suitable for more demanding applications.

Typical benefits include the following:

• Improved mechanical strength: Nanoparticles can reinforce the polymer matrix, increasing tensile strength and impact resistance.  
• Better barrier properties: Nano-additives can reduce gas and moisture permeability, enhancing shelf life for packaging.  
• Antistatic or conductive behaviour: Conductive nanofillers like carbon nanotubes allow these plastics to dissipate static or even conduct electricity for electronics applications.  
• Flame resistance: Certain nanoparticles can improve fire retardancy without compromising processability.  

Applications: Packaging, containers, automotive components, consumer goods, and piping systems.

Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastics already offer higher mechanical and thermal properties than commodity plastics. Adding nanomaterials allows manufacturers to push performance even further. Common examples of where nanoadditives are used include polyamide (PA, nylon), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Benefits of nano-additives in engineering plastics:

• Increased stiffness without additional weight: Ideal for components where strength-to-weight ratio is critical.  
• Improved heat resistance: Nanomaterials can increase the glass transition temperature or thermal stability for electronics or automotive applications.
• Electrical conductivity: Adding conductive nanoparticles can make  plastics suitable for electronic housings or EMI shielding.  
• Dimensional stability: Nano-additives can reduce warping or shrinkage during processing.  

Applications: High-performance automotive parts, consumer electronics, structural components, and 3D printing filaments.

High-Performance Polymers

High-performance polymers such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polyimide are used in the most demanding environments, including aerospace, electronics, and high-temperature applications.

Even for these already advanced materials, nano-additives can provide significant advantages:

• Wear resistance: Nanoparticles improve abrasion resistance, extending component life.
• Thermal conductivity: Enhanced heat dissipation for electronics or high-temperature machinery.  
• Electromagnetic shielding: Carbon-based or metallic nanofillers protect sensitive electronics from interference.
• Mechanical performance at high temperatures: Nano-additives help maintain strength and flexibility in extreme conditions.  

Applications: Aerospace components, high-performance bearings, electrical connectors, and industrial machinery parts.

Thermoset Resins

Nanomaterials are also widely used in thermosetting polymers such as epoxy resins, polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, and polyurethane. These polymers are common in coatings, adhesives, and composite materials, yet even in these products, nanomaterials can still enhance structural and functional properties.

Key benefits include the following:

• Structural composition: Nanoparticles increase stiffness and toughness for load-bearing applications.  
• Protective coating: Improved chemical, UV, and abrasion resistance.
• Adhesion: Better bonding and durability with reduced brittleness.  
• Electronic encapsulation: Enhanced electrical insulation or conductivity where needed.  

Applications: Aerospace and automotive composites, industrial coatings, electronics encapsulation, and high-performance adhesives.

Conclusion

The ability to integrate nanomaterials into a wide range of polymers opens up new possibilities for product performance, durability, and functionality. However, the benefits of nanoadditives can only be realised if the dispersion and processing are handled correctly — a challenge that requires both scientific expertise and industrial know-how.

Thankfully, experts are on hand who have both a deep knowledge of nanomaterial science and practical experience in polymer processing. By combining this knowledge, they can help manufacturers and product development teams bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and scalable industrial production. In this way, companies can unlock the full potential of nanocomposites, creating products that truly stand out in performance and commercial value.

To learn more about the process of making nanocomposites and how they can improve the value of both common and specialist polymers, visit POLYMER NANO CENTRUM or contact info@polymernanocentrum.cz

Photo credit: Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Wikipedia, Vecteezy, & Wikimedia

Nanotechnology in polymers often sounds like an abstract concept. Yet while the terminology of graphene, nanotubes, and nano-oxides and the like may be familiar to anyone working with advanced materials, the real question for manufacturers is simple: how do these nanoparticles actually end up inside a usable polymer material?

Now a video released by nanotechnology specialists at POLYMER NANO CENTRUM has given a rare look at the practical side of the process. It shows how polymer nanocomposites are produced by combining a base polymer with nanoscale additives and dispersing them into a uniform material ready for industrial use.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sz4MrE_D70

Watching the process makes one thing clear: successful nanocomposites are not just about the additives themselves. They depend just as much on how those additives are incorporated into a polymer matrix.

For those curious enough, here are four key steps to making a polymer nanocomposite:

1. Choose and Prepare the Polymer Matrix

The structural backbone of any polymer nanocomposite is naturally the polymer itself. Typically, the base is either a thermoplastic (for use in extrusion or injection moulding) or a resin system (designed for coatings or composites).

Compatibility between the polymer and the nano-additive is critical, as even highly advanced nanoparticles cannot deliver their full performance if the surrounding matrix cannot support uniform distribution.

2. Add Nanomaterials

The next step is the introduction of nanoscale additives. These may include materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene structures, nanoclays, or metal oxide particles.

What makes nanomaterials remarkable is how little is required, as many formulations use only a fraction of a percent by weight. For example, as little as 0.1% weight of nanomaterial in a polymer can significantly change its behaviour.

This key factor is why nanocomposites are attracting growing interest from industry, as instead of redesigning an entire polymer product, manufacturers can often achieve meaningful improvements with carefully selected nano-additives.

3. The Critical Step of Dispersion

Once the additives are introduced, the important stage of dispersion begins.

Particular care should be taken here, as nanoparticles naturally tend to clump together, forming agglomerates that behave more like conventional fillers than nanoscale modifiers. For this reason, breaking clusters apart and distributing the particles evenly throughout the polymer is essential.

Mechanical processing equipment, such as compounders, extruders, or high-shear mixers, are commonly used to achieve this dispersion with the goal of ensuring that the nanoparticles are evenly distributed across the entire polymer matrix.

Dispersion quality is important, as it allows the nanoparticles to interact effectively with the material at a microscopic level, which in turn determines whether a nanocomposite succeeds commercially or fails to deliver the expected performance.

4. Creating the Nanocomposite

Once the nanomaterials are properly dispersed, the result is a polymer nanocomposite – a material where nano-scale structures are embedded into the polymer.

At this stage, the material can be converted into pellets, granules, films, or other forms suitable for industrial processing. One of the advantages of polymer nanocomposites is that they can often be handled using standard polymer processing equipment, making them easier to integrate into existing manufacturing lines.

The real transformation is that the presence of well-distributed nanoparticles can change how a polymer behaves.

Potential improvements include greater mechanical strength, improved thermal stability, enhanced electrical conductivity, added UV resistance, bulk polymer feedstock reduction, electro-magnetic properties, thermal conductivity, static electricity dispersion, and better resistance to chemicals or environmental exposure. These changes open the door to new applications in sectors ranging from electronics and energy to automotive components and advanced coatings.

For companies developing or trading advanced materials, the real opportunity lies in understanding how functional improvements translate into commercial value. This is where specialised organisations, such as POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, play a key role. By combining theoretical expertise in nanomaterial science with practical experience in polymer processing and industrial production, their specialists (who helped create this video and webpage) help bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world manufacturing.

By collaborating with experts who understand both the science and the industrial constraints, manufacturers are able to identify where nanomaterials genuinely add value and how to integrate them into scalable products and processes.

Polymer nanocomposites demonstrate how small changes at the nanoscale can produce significant differences in material performance. But achieving those improvements requires more than simply adding nanoparticles to a polymer—it requires mastering the process that integrates those particles into the material itself.

After watching the video, it becomes clear that nanotechnology in polymers is not just a scientific concept. Instead, it is a manufacturing process that transforms microscopic additives into practical materials for commercial advantage.

To learn more about the process of making nanocomposites and how they can improve the value of both common and specialist polymers, visit POLYMER NANO CENTRUM or contact info@polymernanocentrum.cz

Photo credit: Vecteezy & POLYMER NANO CENTUM

Engineers responsible for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are used to thinking in familiar terms: conductive housings, copper tape, metal coatings, and the occasional conductive polymer. For decades that toolkit has worked well enough to tame interference from radios, processors, and wireless systems.

But the next wave of communications technology may push shielding into unfamiliar territory.

EMI in the Terahertz Era

Most current EMI strategies were developed around microwave frequencies, as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radar systems, and even much of 5G operate comfortably in the gigahertz range. At these frequencies, shielding is largely about blocking or reflecting stray radiation before it escapes the device or contaminates nearby components.

However, future 6G systems are expected to push into the terahertz (THz) spectrum which sits between microwave and infrared radiation. At these frequencies signals behave quite differently from those which engineers deal with today, creating interference within densely packed electronic systems.

In layman’s terms, it means that instead of worrying primarily about emissions escaping an enclosure, manufacturers and product designers must begin managing signals travelling through the device, negatively impacting microscopic circuits, waveguides, and photonic components. To do this, they must move beyond traditional shielding approaches built around metallic barriers and conductive enclosures and look to future technologies.

Nanomaterial ‘Black Paint’ for 6G’s EMI Defence

One such technology has now been found, as nanomaterial researchers have developed a novel coating made from carbon nanotubes that behaves almost like black paint for electromagnetic waves. Developed at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, the nanotech material can absorb the terahertz radiation frequencies expected to play a key role in future 6G systems.

A Nanomaterial Coating That Eats Radiation

Crucially, the new nanotube coating is able to absorb electromagnetic waves, rather than merely reflecting them. This is because it includes single-walled carbon nanotubes arranged into an ultrathin film that behaves like a sponge for terahertz radiation. Due to nanomaterials’ exceptional efficiency, even films only a few nanometres thick can significantly dampen interfering signals, while thicker layers approach near-total absorption.

To put the scale into perspective, the coating ranges from roughly 2 to 50 nanometres thick; thousands of times thinner than a typical protective coating on an electronic component and completely invisible to the naked eye.

Significantly, the film was created using an aerosol chemical vapour deposition technique which is already widely used in advanced materials manufacturing. That is important because it means the coating can potentially be integrated directly into microelectronic or photonic fabrication processes.

The result is something quite different from traditional EMI shielding, as instead of surrounding a system with conductive barriers, engineers could theoretically apply tiny absorbing regions exactly where stray signals originate. This would be something akin to placing acoustic foam to absorb the sound inside a noisy room — but at the nanoscale.

Why Carbon Nanotubes Work So Well for Manufacturing

Carbon nanotubes have been attracting attention in material science for years, but their electromagnetic behaviour makes them especially interesting for shielding applications.

This is because their unusual structure gives them the advantage of being highly conductive, yet extremely lightweight, and their large surface area allows strong interaction with electromagnetic waves across a wide frequency range. This is why when radiation encounters a network of nanotubes, the energy is dissipated or absorbed rather than reflected.

With 6G infrastructure still some years away, it would be easy for manufacturers to dismiss this research as an academic curiosity. However, the study (which has been published in the journal Nature) is part of an underlying trend which is worth paying attention to: EMI shielding (like so many other design issues) is moving from macro-scale hardware to nanoscale material engineering.

This is especially true in the field of electronics which continues to shrink at the same time that operating frequencies are climbing. Where components used to sit centimetres apart, they are now separated by mere micrometres. For product designers, this means that interference is no longer an external problem but a constraint embedded directly in the device’s architecture.

As materials like nanotube coatings continue to mature, they are reshaping several areas of product design, such as:

·    Telecom hardware, where high-frequency components must operate in tight proximity.

·    Advanced sensors and imaging equipment working in millimetre-wave or terahertz bands.

·    Aerospace electronics, where weight reduction is always valuable.

·    Semiconductor and photonic packaging, where signal isolation is increasingly difficult.

These capabilities make the attraction towards nanotechnology obvious, as it provides solutions like ultrathin absorbing coatings which add almost no weight, occupy almost no space, and can potentially be applied precisely where needed.

How Nanotechnology is Already Solving Industrial Challenges

Other areas of manufacturing have already embraced the use of nanotechnology to solve real-world industrial problems.

Companies such as POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, for example, are already incorporating engineered nanoparticles into polymer systems to tune electrical, mechanical, and surface properties without fundamentally changing the base material.

In practice, that means polymers used in coatings, adhesives, or composite components can be modified to achieve specific performance targets that traditional additives struggle to reach. Instead of relying on heavy conductive fillers or metallic layers, the company (which sponsors this webpage) uses nanoscale modifiers to create conductive pathways or functional surfaces inside the polymer itself, allowing manufacturers to maintain flexibility, weight, and processing compatibility.

This latest development for using nanotube-based coatings for creating EMI shielding for 6G telecommunications and advanced electronics is just another step in how nanotechnology is improving manufactured products.

Nanotechnology: A Quiet Competitive Advantage

None of this means that EMI gasket suppliers are about to disappear, as conventional shielding will remain essential for many applications. But as communication systems push into higher frequencies, manufacturers that pay closer attention to emerging materials, especially nanotechnology, may soon gain a competitive advantage.

A coating that weighs almost nothing, occupies virtually no space, and absorbs stray radiation before it spreads could be a valuable tool for next generation electronics. And if 6G really does move into the terahertz spectrum, the most effective EMI solution might not look like shielding at all.

It might look like a simple layer of black paint.

Photo credit: Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, & Vecteezy

For years, the story of advanced carbon materials has followed a familiar pattern. A breakthrough emerges—graphene, carbon nanotubes, ultra-light foams—promising extraordinary performance. Then comes the harder part: scaling, cost control, and integration into real products. A place where most of these innovations quietly stall.

But now a branch of nanotechnology research is suggesting a different direction; not a new form of carbon, but a new way of thinking about it.

The traditional approach in developing better carbon materials has been to chase perfection. Perfect graphene sheets. Perfect nanotubes. Perfect alignment. In theory, these deliver exceptional properties, but often for manufacturers, the solutions are too expensive, too difficult to produce, and often too fragile outside the controlled conditions of the lab.

But now nanotechnology is taking carbon (and raw materials in general) on a different route. As instead of focusing on purity, researchers are designing carbon as a multi-scale structure. In layman’s terms, it means combining regions of ordered carbon with more disordered, interconnected networks to boost performance at the system level.

It is a subtle but important shift, because in real-world applications and products, materials do not fail at the atomic scale—they fail at a larger scale.

Why Nanostructure is Changing Raw Material Thinking

One of the longest-standing trade-offs in carbon materials is simple: strength versus toughness. Highly ordered structures tend to be strong but brittle, while more disordered forms are tougher, but weaker.

By engineering how these domains interact, nanotechnology researchers have effectively redistributed stress throughout the material. This means that instead of cracks spreading quickly through a rigid structure, they have created a network which absorbs stress and diffuses load.

Translated into commercial terms, that means longer lifetimes, improved reliability, and fewer unexpected failures.

For a manufacturing sector which is already heavily dependent on carbon for producing composites, electrodes, coatings, and conductive components, the ability to modify its basic structure and blend properties is significant.

For example, it could open a route to making electric vehicles with lighter, stronger structures. Energy systems, meanwhile, could be designed to better handle repeated cycling without degradation, and electronics could employ carbon materials with better thermal and electrical management.

The market for any new carbon material is already highly competitive, with carbon fibre-reinforced polymers an already well-established product. Graphene and nanotube-based materials are also rapidly integrating into everyday products, such as flooring systems, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and resins.

Related articles: Stretchy, Conductive Polymers for Smart Manufacturing or Where Nanostructured Polymers are Advancing Industry

This means that the most likely position for this innovative approach is somewhere in between, offering better performance than conventional carbon fibres while avoiding the costs and processing difficulties sometimes associated with pure nanomaterials.

If it can occupy that middle ground, it has a chance to find applications in specialised, high-margin sectors, such as defence, where performance advantages are highly sought-after. Other applications include aerospace components where every gram matters, electric vehicles where structural efficiency translates directly into range, and electronics where thermal management is increasingly critical.

Thanks to nanotechnology, raw materials such as carbon are no longer being treated as fixed materials with known properties. Instead, they are becoming platforms which can be engineered, tuned, and adapted to suit specific applications.

It is a shift in raw material thinking which mirrors what happened in polymers decades ago. The winners then were not the companies that discovered new molecules but those that learned how to design, process, and scale them effectively.

The same pattern now appears to be emerging in relation to nanotechnology in all materials.

In that sense, this latest discovery is not another “graphene moment" but something quieter, yet potentially more important. Nanotechnology is enabling manufacturers to move away from having to choose between flexibility and strength, or between durability and cost. Now product designers can have raw materials which solve problems, add value, lower production costs, or replace expensive conventional alternatives.

And that is where the real commercial opportunity lies—not in creating better raw materials, but in enabling entirely new ways to design, build, and integrate products.

Photo credit: Freepik, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, & Vecteezy

Every few years, a material breakthrough comes along that sounds slightly implausible, even ridiculous. The latest involves making conductive structures from nonconductive raw materials with wires that are printed as liquids.

The discovery comes from the University of Hong Kong and a recent study published in the journal Advanced Science where instead of relying on traditional solid conductors, such as metals or carbon fibres, the researchers created liquid-based tubular structures that can be printed directly into 3D forms.

It is an unusual idea, but one which commercially could be very practical, as it opens up a quite different manufacturing pathway. Instead of machining, layering, or assembling components, conductive pathways can be printed directly into complex geometries. For industries that are already exploring or employing additive manufacturing, this is a natural fit and a route to cost savings and improved product designs.

At the heart of the breakthrough is nanotechnology and the concept that conductivity emerges from structure, not just the raw material used.

This is because nanotechnology has the ability to modify materials at the atomic scale, meaning that manufacturers can now print conductive pathways with stable, self-supporting liquid tubes rather than relying on expensive fillers or added wiring. In effect, the design replaces the need for intrinsically conductive ingredients, allowing a massive expansion in the number of materials possible to use when  is needed.

From a commercial standpoint, this matters because it means that conductive materials can be:

·    Less dependent on scarce or costly inputs.

·    More tuneable.

·    Potentially easier to process.

Furthermore, because the nanotechnology design involves using tubes, the conductivity can easily have controlled pathways for electrical flow as well as decent mechanical flexibility. This could enable embedded wiring in components where traditional cabling or traces are difficult to implement, particularly in compact or irregular geometries.

As the study itself explains, “Reconfigurable electronics are increasingly in demand for soft robotics, wearable systems, and biomedical interfaces, where devices must adapt their form and function to dynamic, complex environments.” Noting that, “Conventional solid-state platforms—even soft variants—are reliable but inherently limited in reconfigurability, self-repair, and geometric compliance. By contrast, liquid-based electronics deform without fracture, self-heal after damage, and conform to intricate 3D geometries, making them attractive for next-generation adaptive devices.”

The immediate use cases are not hard to imagine, as additive manufacturing is already pushing into functional components; however, embedding reliable conductive pathways remains a bottleneck. These liquid tubular wires could change that, allowing applications into:

·    3D-printed electronics and sensors.

·    Soft robotics and flexible systems.

·    Customised medical devices.

·    Compact energy systems where geometry is constrained.

The key advantage is not just performance but design freedom, as conductive pathways which follow the shape of the product itself can now be used, meaning that product engineers are no longer limited to straight lines or layered circuits.

Unfortunately, as with all new technologies, the question of scaling has yet to be fully answered. For example, printing liquid structures with precise geometry requires tight control over processing conditions. Furthermore, ensuring consistent conductivity across large volumes adds another layer of complexity. Plus, there is also the issue of durability, as liquid-based systems, even structured ones, must prove long-term stability under mechanical, thermal, and electrical stress.

Related articles: Nanocomposites Create Antimicrobial Coating for Touchscreens or How to Implement Nanotechnology into Existing Products

However, the discovery follows the line of manufacturing logic—printing instead of assembling—an issue which is already aligned with where industry is heading.

In this sense, this nanotech development stands out not just for its result but also for the principle behind it. Through the intelligent modification of raw materials at the nanoscale, electrical conductivity need no longer be treated as an intrinsic property for specific substances. Instead, it has become something that can be engineered, even if using unlikely building blocks.

3D-printed liquid tubular wires may sound like a niche, nanotech innovation, but in reality, it points to a broader shift in how materials—and products—are being made. Not assembled from predefined components, but built in place, with function embedded from the start.

Because in the next phase of manufacturing, the companies will gain an edge not from better materials alone. Instead, competitive advantage will come from using materials that fit seamlessly into how products are designed and produced.

For manufacturers, discoveries like this are so much more than scientific achievements; instead, they are proof-of-concept for a new generation of multifunctional materials. Companies like POLYMER NANO CENTRUM provide guidance and expertise to manufacturers on the pathway from research to market-ready solution. Providing raw materials that are not only high-performing but also offer a competitive advantage.

To learn more about how nanotechnology can improve everyday polymer products, resins, and coatings, visit POLYMER NANO CENTRUM or contact info@polymernanocentrum.cz

Photo credit: Vecteezy, Vecteezy, Vecteezy, & Vecteezy

There’s no shortage of “breakthrough materials” in nanotech, although many never leave the lab. But every so often, something appears that looks less like a science experiment and more like a commercial opportunity waiting for the right partner.

A recent development in 3D-printable nanotube–polymer composites might be one of those moments.

The discovery was made at the Korean National University of Science and Technology (UST) and involves the use of ultrathin, stretchable composites built with carbon nanotubes. On paper, that’s nothing new, as numerous composites have been made with nanomaterials to provide added strength, flexibility, and even electrical conductivity. What is new this time is that it includes this combination of properties:

· Effective shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI).

· Protection from neutron radiation.

· Mechanical flexibility, low weight, and an ultrathin structure.

· Compatibility with additive manufacturing processes.

It is a union of characteristics with great significance for manufacturers, as in real-world engineering, what a product is made of plays a key role in its success or failure. Choosing the correct raw material is difficult, because if it is sufficient in one property, then they often lack in another. One feedstock may be flexible enough, but it can also be too soft. Another is very durable but too fragile, another is strong enough but too expensive.

For products which require both EMI shielding and radiation protection this is a significant challenge, as they traditionally require different materials, different layers, and each new ingredient adds more weight.

Now nanotechnology is offering an approach which compresses those functions into a single, flexible composite. This means fewer layers, less complexity, and lower weight.

The discovery is based on the ability to blend different nanomaterials to resolve different requirements. As a recent report in the nanotechnology journal AzoNano explains, “The material system is built around two nanotube types with different strengths. Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) are electrically conductive and effective at attenuating electromagnetic waves. Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), meanwhile, contain boron atoms with a high neutron absorption cross-section, making them well-suited to neutron shielding.” To make the composite, “The team first dispersed SWCNTs and BNNTs in solution using surfactants to produce stable suspensions and uniform mixing. Free-standing hybrid films were then made by vacuum filtration, yielding structures typically 10 to 20 µm thick.”

Microscopy showed that the composite included a coaxial design with SWCNT bundles encircling BNNT cores, while elemental mapping verified the distribution of boron, nitrogen, and carbon throughout the hybrid structure.

“To make printable composites, the researchers then incorporated the nanotube network into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer matrix,” the report adds. “The resulting ink was processed by direct ink writing, an extrusion-based 3D-printing method that enables layer-by-layer fabrication of complex geometries. Rheological testing showed that the ink had the viscoelastic properties needed for printing.”

Unlike many early-stage nanomaterial innovations, the end-use here is relatively obvious, with aerospace and satellite systems representing a natural fit. As weight reduction in this field remains a primary cost driver, multifunctional materials that can provide sufficient shielding while reducing mass can deliver immediate value.

Defence and nuclear electronics also present strong opportunities, as resistance to radiation is essential in these environments, and combining this with EMI shielding addresses two critical requirements simultaneously.

Beyond these sectors, high-performance electronics continue to face increasing EMI challenges as devices become more compact and powerful. Similarly, electrification trends in automotive and energy systems are also driving demand for more effective shielding solutions.

Related articles: Stretchy, Conductive Polymers for Smart Manufacturing or Where Nanostructured Polymers are Advancing Industry

The compatibility of these nanomaterial composites with 3D printing is also noteworthy, as it enables the integration of shielding directly into component design, rather than relying on secondary materials or assemblies. This allows for more efficient use of space, greater design flexibility, and potential reductions in assembly steps.

In each of these cases, the decision to use the technology is not driven by the presence of nanomaterials but by cost-assessed improvements in efficiency. This represents another situation where the inclusion of nanotechnology is carried out due to clear benefits which conventional feedstocks cannot provide to the same degree.

For material suppliers and compounders, this is evidence of a shift in manufacturing towards offering higher value. Instead of supplying traditional raw materials, there is an opportunity to deliver application-specific solutions which combine material performance with design functionality.

It’s easy to get distracted by the buzz around nanotechnology. But markets don’t reward novelty—they reward usefulness.

The manufacturers that succeed in this evolving market won’t necessarily be the ones with the most advanced nanotechnology. They’ll be the ones who solve specific problems, deliver consistent materials at scale, and fit into existing manufacturing workflows without friction.

Nanotube composites like these won’t transform entire industries overnight. But in the right niches—where performance outweighs cost—they don’t need to.

For POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, this type of development aligns closely with its central goals—the use of nanotechnology to solve challenges in manufacturing.

By combining expertise in polymers and nanomaterials, the company (which hosts this webpage) is in a position to support companies in their transition from research to application. This may include material testing, process optimisation, and the development of tailored composite systems for specific product solutions. By acting as an intermediary between innovation and industrial deployment, POLYMER NANO CENTRUM is providing value in a world where raw materials are becoming increasingly complex.

To learn more about what POLYMER NANO CENTRUM does and how it can use nanotechnology to solve a specific manufacturing problem, contact info@polymernanocentrum.cz or visit POLYMER NANO CENTRUM.

Photo credit: juicy_fish, Wikimedia, Raw Pixel, & wayhomestudio

Scientists have long believed that advanced nanotechnology can unlock new levels of performance in polymer materials—Nobel Prize-winning research has shown this to be true. But converting that know-how into a commercial advantage for polymer products has often proved elusive.

But one research facility just outside Prague in the Czech Republic has become a compelling example of how carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified polymers can be translated into real industry solutions.

Transforming Tough Polymers into Functional Materials

Called POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, the company has built its own research laboratories designed specifically for turning nanomaterial know-how into practical polymer products for the manufacturing sector.

For example, the latest focus has been on polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) — a high-performance engineering polymer known for its excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength. Polymers like PPS are highly versatile but still have limitations, especially in applications where controlled electrical properties and mechanical toughness are critical.

To overcome these boundaries, nanotechnology researchers integrated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the PPS matrix using proprietary nano-modification processes. In doing so, they fundamentally changed the polymer’s internal structure: the CNTs form conductive networks within the otherwise insulating polymer, resulting in a material that still retains outstanding thermal and mechanical properties but with valuable additional functionality of electrical conductivity.

Performance Gains That Matter to Industry

The improvements achieved through CNT modification are significant and clearly measurable:

·    Mechanical Toughness: Elongation at break nearly doubled from 42 % to 83 %, indicating much greater ductility and resilience under stress.

·    Electrical Properties: Surface resistivity dropped by several orders of magnitude (from >10¹¹ Ω·sq⁻¹ to ~10⁷ Ω·sq⁻¹), giving PPS antistatic behaviour while preserving its core insulation and strength.

·    Processing and Manufacturing: The modified polymer remains compatible with standard industrial processes — including injection moulding and extrusion — and is designed for repeatable series production.

These results aren’t just academic: they demonstrate how polymer nanocomposites can be tailored to deliver multiple functional enhancements simultaneously, without sacrificing the performance features that manufacturers already rely on.

The Manufacturing Sectors Benefitting Most from Nanotechnology

By balancing mechanical strength, ductility, and electrical behaviour, CNT-enhanced PPS unlocks new possibilities for industrial products where conventional polymers fall short. Typical sectors where this technology is already gaining traction include:

·    Automotive Components: Structural parts, housings, and sensor mounts where controlled electrostatic properties are essential.

·    Electronics and Energy Systems: Casings and elements that benefit from antistatic behaviour while maintaining high heat resistance.

·    Aerospace Materials: Lightweight but tough parts that must endure mechanical loads, vibration, and temperature stress.

·    Defence and Industrial Electronics: Components requiring reliable static dissipation and mechanical durability under harsh operating conditions.

By turning previously passive polymer materials into functional composites, manufacturers can now explore applications that were once out of reach for standard PPS.

Scaling Up: From R&D to Manufacturing Lines

This CNT-modified PPS is no longer just a research prototype, as new production lines designed for series output are in development while market entry plans are underway. This means that the transition from laboratory development to industrial feasibility and scale-up planning is almost complete.

For producers of specialised polymers, the successful transition of nanotechnology research into commercial products underlines the real industrial value of CNT-based technologies. It shows that enhanced materials can be integrated smoothly into established manufacturing processes such as injection moulding and extrusion, without the need for radical changes to production lines. By using functionalised polymers, manufacturers can open up a broader range of applications, particularly in high-growth sectors such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace. Crucially, the ability to improve mechanical and electrical performance without compromising core thermal properties gives designers and engineers far greater freedom when developing next-generation polymer components.

Ultimately, this journey from laboratory research to production-ready material shows that nanotechnology has reached a point of real industrial maturity. CNT-enhanced polymers are no longer experimental curiosities but practical tools for manufacturers looking to push performance boundaries, differentiate products, and stay competitive in demanding markets.

As material requirements continue to rise across sectors, the ability to engineer functionality directly into polymers—without sacrificing processability or reliability—will be a decisive advantage. At POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, this approach reflects a broader ambition: to make nanostructured polymers not just scientifically impressive but commercially meaningful and ready for everyday industrial use.

Photo credit: Wikimedia, usertrmk, Macrovector,Macrovector, & Polymer Nano Centrum

Státní dluhopisy se v posledních měsících znovu dostávají do pozornosti investorů. Když se v Česku otevře nová emise, obvykle přitáhne velký zájem lidí, kteří hledají způsob, jak uložit úspory s relativně stabilním výnosem.

A dává to smysl. Státní dluhopisy jsou přehledné, srozumitelné a mají pověst bezpečného přístavu pro konzervativnější investory.

Jenže svět dluhopisů je ve skutečnosti mnohem širší.

Stačí se podívat na největší světové finanční trhy. Například ve Spojených státech má celý dluhopisový trh hodnotu přes 50 bilionů dolarů a vedle státních dluhopisů v něm hraje významnou roli ještě jeden segment – korporátní dluhopisy, tedy dluhopisy vydávané samotnými firmami.

Co dnes nabízejí státní dluhopisy

Státní dluhopisy vydávané Ministerstvem financí České republiky patří dlouhodobě mezi základní nástroje konzervativního investování. Jejich hlavní výhodou je vysoká důvěryhodnost emitenta a jednoduchá struktura investice.

Typicky nabízejí:

relativně stabilní výnos dluhopisů

výplatu úroků zpravidla jednou ročně

dlouhodobé uložení kapitálu

Pro mnoho investorů tak představují stabilní základ portfolia, jehož cílem je spíše ochrana kapitálu než maximalizace výnosu.

Jak fungují korporátní dluhopisy na velkých trzích

Na vyspělých finančních trzích je vydávání korporátních dluhopisů běžnou součástí fungování velkých firem.

Společnosti jako Apple, Microsoft nebo Coca-Cola si prostřednictvím firemních dluhopisů pravidelně půjčují miliardy dolarů na financování vývoje, infrastruktury nebo dalších investic.

Pro investory jde o nástroj, který přináší pravidelný úrokový příjem.

Na rozdíl od akcií, které představují vlastnický podíl ve firmě, jsou dluhopisy formou úvěru, za který investor získává předem definovaný úrok.

Evropa dohání americký model

Evropský dluhopisový trh byl historicky více orientovaný na bankovní financování. Firmy si kapitál často půjčovaly přímo od bank místo toho, aby ho získávaly na kapitálových trzích.

To se ale v posledních letech postupně mění.

Stále více evropských společností využívá korporátní dluhopisy jako způsob financování technologických projektů, výrobních investic nebo expanze na nové trhy.

Jak se tento trend objevuje i v Česku

Český dluhopisový trh je výrazně menší než ten americký nebo západoevropský. Přesto se i zde postupně objevují firmy, které dluhopisy využívají jako nástroj financování konkrétních projektů.

V posledních letech je navíc patrný rostoucí zájem firem o tento způsob financování. Pro řadu společností totiž mohou korporátní dluhopisy představovat nezávislejší a transparentnější alternativu k tradičnímu bankovnímu financování.

Na rozdíl od bankovních úvěrů umožňuje dluhopisové financování firmám komunikovat přímo s investory a jasně představit účel investice. V některých případech tak může být celý proces jednodušší a flexibilnější.

To je patrné zejména u technologických projektů a inovativních firem zaměřených na vývoj nových řešení. Tyto projekty bývají často spojeny s delším investičním horizontem nebo vyšší mírou technologického rizika, a banky proto k jejich financování přistupují opatrněji.

Právě v těchto situacích mohou korporátní dluhopisy představovat zajímavou alternativu, která umožňuje financovat výzkum, technologický vývoj nebo rozšiřování výroby.

Vedle státních dluhopisů tak postupně vzniká segment korporátních dluhopisů, které financují například technologický vývoj, průmyslovou výrobu nebo nové investice.

Jedním z příkladů je společnost Polymer Nano Centrum, která prostřednictvím dluhopisové emise financuje projekty v oblasti polymerních materiálů a technologických inovací.

Firma se zaměřuje na aplikaci nanotechnologií v polymerních materiálech. V praxi to znamená vývoj řešení, při kterých jsou nanomateriály implementovány do polymerních struktur, čímž vznikají materiály s výrazně lepšími vlastnostmi – například vyšší pevností, odolností nebo funkčními vlastnostmi pro průmyslové využití.

Výsledkem nejsou jen výzkumné projekty. Polymer Nano Centrum se zaměřuje také na praktickou aplikaci a výrobu vyvinutých řešení, která mohou nacházet uplatnění v průmyslu, technologiích nebo dalších specializovaných odvětvích.

Právě financování těchto technologických projektů je jedním z důvodů, proč firma využívá korporátní dluhopisy jako nástroj pro získání kapitálu od investorů.

Podobné emise mohou investorům nabídnout například:

úrok kolem 10,2 % ročně

měsíční výplatu úroků

jasně definovaný účel financování

Jak se liší státní a korporátní dluhopisy v praxi

Pro investora se rozdíl mezi státními dluhopisy a korporátními dluhopisy často neprojevuje jen ve výši úroku, ale také v tom, jak investice funguje v praxi.

Státní dluhopisy jsou obvykle spojeny s velmi vysokou důvěryhodností emitenta a slouží především jako stabilní část portfolia. Výnosy jsou však zpravidla nižší a úroky bývají vypláceny jednou ročně.

Naopak korporátní dluhopisy mohou investorům nabídnout vyšší výnos, protože kapitál financuje konkrétní podnikatelské projekty. U některých emisí se navíc objevuje i častější výplata úroků, například na měsíční bázi.

Rozdíl pak může vypadat například takto:

Stabilita nebo výnos? Investoři často volí obojí

Zkušenosti z vyspělých finančních trhů ukazují, že nejde o souboj dvou světů.

Státní dluhopisy mohou tvořit stabilní základ portfolia.
Korporátní dluhopisy pak často přidávají vyšší výnos nebo pravidelnější cash flow.

Právě kombinace státních a korporátních dluhopisů je dnes jednou z nejběžnějších strategií investorů na velkých finančních trzích.

A postupně se začíná objevovat i v prostředí českého dluhopisového trhu.

Rozdíl není jen ve výši úroku, ale ve způsobu, jakým investice „živí“ cash-flow. U měsíční výplaty investor inkasuje průběžně, zatímco u roční výplaty čeká na výnos až na konci období.

Choosing the right polymer for a product is not easy. A plastic of the right strength may be too brittle, while another with the right flexibility might not be durable enough. A further alternative could be too expensive or require major adjustments to production lines.

What is often needed is a polymer with many different properties which can work many distinct functions without requiring new machinery.

Now a recent breakthrough from researchers at Penn State has found at least one solution by using PEDOT:PSS, a polymer already used in coatings, displays, and sensors, to create a stretchy, flexible film that is electrically conductive.

By using cryo-EM microscopes that analyse how polymers work at a nanoscale, the team uncovered how electricity moves through tiny “whisker” fibres that are similar in size to viruses. They could even watch the flow of electricity along these conductive pathways even when the surrounding material was being stretched, bent, or deformed.

“These are some of the most advanced microscopes in the world,” explains Penn State University’s Prof. Enrique Gomez. “They can be used to image things like viruses, proteins and polymers, which we specialize in at Penn State.”

This has opened the door to a new class of materials with very real manufacturing potential just through close observation and an understanding of nanoscale physics. “We are experiencing a revolution in microscopy, as these machines allow us to image materials at incredibly high levels of detail,” adds Gomez.

The university press release outlined the route to the discovery as follows, “The team placed a small droplet of the material [PEDOT:PSS] encased in a thin, nanoscopic film, only a fraction of the width of a human hair. They repeated this process several times, making minor adjustments to each sample’s chemical makeup by adding different types of salt. They then plunged the samples into liquid ethane kept at -180 degrees Celsius (C) — slightly warmer than the surface of the moon at night. This is to ensure the material samples don’t burn up in the high temperatures produced by the electrons, and allows the team to examine how different salt additives impact ion and electron transfer in the material.”

“Our nerves and neurons move electricity around our body using ionic currents, which are essentially circuits built out of mixtures of salt and ions in the body,” notes Gomez. “Computers conduct electricity by moving electrons through metal wires and silicon semiconductors. PEDOT:PSS is a remarkable material in that it can conduct electrons, while at the same time remaining sensitive to the existing ion currents in the body.”

Related articles: Where Nanostructured Polymers are Advancing Industry or Nanotech for Industry

For manufacturing, this insight matters more than the headline-grabbing “stretchy plastic conducts electricity.” It means conductivity in polymers is no longer a mystery, as once it is understood where and how the current is flowing at the nanoscale, researchers can start engineering materials that are predictable, scalable, and fit for industrial production.

From a factory-floor perspective, this kind of material solves the persistent headache of having moving parts in a product with electronics. By employing nanotechnology to create stretchable conductive polymers with electrical functionality built directly into flexible components, the number of parts, interfaces, and failure points in an assembly can be drastically reduced—an end to cable fatigue, loose connectors, and rigid circuit boards which crack under vibration or repeated strain.

While electronics manufacturing is an obvious beneficiary of this technology. Flexible circuits made from conductive polymers could now be printed rather than etched, opening up roll-to-roll production methods that are faster and cheaper than traditional PCB fabrication. Instead of copper traces laminated onto rigid substrates, manufacturers could produce thin electronic layers that integrate seamlessly into plastic housings, films, or composite structures.

Industrial sensing is another area where the discovery has immediate relevance. Here the application of stretchable conductive polymers could make it possible to embed sensors directly into components such as seals, joints, belts, or protective covers. Because the material can stretch while remaining conductive, it can measure strain, pressure, or movement without the fragile wiring typically required by conventional sensors. This would result in cleaner designs and more durable data collection equipment, especially in harsh operating environments.

Automation and robotics also stand to gain, as modern production lines which rely on robotic arms, collaborative robots, and moving machinery all require power and data connections that tolerate constant motion. Replacing rigid cables with stretch-tolerant conductive polymers could reduce the downtime caused by cable wear as well as simplifying robot design. Lighter, more flexible electrical connections also mean less energy consumption and easier integration into compact systems.

Flexible conductive polymers will also be key in the development of wearable technology. Protective clothing, such as gloves or lab coats, could employ advanced electronics while still remaining functional when stretched, bent, and pulled. Conductive polymer films could even enable touch-sensitive surfaces and biometric monitoring without using bulky electronics.

There are also cost advantages to be made, as integrating electrical and mechanical functions into a single material can reduce assembly steps, part counts, and quality-control complexity. At the same time, fewer components would mean fewer suppliers, simpler logistics, and lower failure rates, creating critical savings to outweigh higher raw material costs.

This discovery is not just about new science; it is about material freedom, as it allows polymers to take on roles traditionally reserved for metals and rigid electronics.

Through an understanding of nanotechnology, manufacturers can move electronics out of the circuit board and into the material itself, simplifying production and improving durability at the same time. The conductive whiskers may be microscopic, but the shift they enable — towards lighter, cheaper, and more integrated products — is anything but small.

Photo credit: kjpargeter, kjpargeter, DC Studio, pvproductions, & fabrikasmif

The Czech Republic is often viewed as a traditional industrial economy at the heart of Europe, known more for its tourism than for advanced materials innovation. But over the last two decades, Czechia has been positioning itself at the centre of European nanotechnology development and industrial application. Today, that investment and ambition is bearing fruit.

This new-found role has been created through a combination of internationally recognised discoveries, a dense concentration of nanotechnology infrastructure, and a growing number of companies translating nanoscale science into commercially viable industrial solutions.

Evidence of Czech nanotechnology research can be seen in the work of Markéta Hujerová from the Technical University of Liberec, whose research into nanofibre-based materials for medical applications earned recognition through the L’Oréal-UNESCO Pro Women in Science award. Her work focuses on nanofibre patches designed to reduce post-operative complications — a clear demonstration of how Czech nanoscience is addressing real-world challenges rather than remaining confined to laboratory settings.

Elsewhere, Czech research institutions in Brno and Prague have developed long-term expertise in nanofibres, polymer nanostructures, surface modification, and functional nanomaterials. The result is a steady pipeline of applied research with strong commercial relevance in healthcare, filtration, construction, textiles, electronics, coatings, plastics, and advanced manufacturing.

Czechia: A National Ecosystem Built for Nanotechnology

But what distinguishes Czech nanotechnology development is not just individual scientific achievement, but the supportive infrastructure the sector has made combined with its application in industry. A country where purpose-built research centres allow companies to collaborate directly with academic scientists, industrial engineers, and businesspeople. This allows companies to take competitive advantage which nanofibres, nanoparticles, nanosheets, and other nanotechnologies can provide as raw materials for the manufacturing sector.

Take, for example, an event such as NanoCzech, a conference hosted in Liberec in northern Czechia, which brings together international experts from research institutions and the manufacturing sector with a clear emphasis on the practical application of nanotechnology. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the discussion centres on scalability, regulation, production costs, and industrial deployment — precisely the issues that determine whether nanotechnology and business succeed in the marketplace.

“Nanotechnologies can boost our economy and make the region more visible in the world,” says Martin Půta, Governor of the Liberec Region. “We want to show entrepreneurs and foreign partners that the Liberec Region is a place where we have been pushing the boundaries of this field for more than twenty years.”

This regular interaction between research and industry is one of Czechia’s competitive advantages. It reduces the gap between innovation and implementation, allowing new materials and processes to reach production lines faster.

Czech Industry: Where Science meets Manufacturing

One example of Czech nanotechnology combining with industry is in polymer-based applications, with companies such as POLYMER NANO CENTRUM illustrating how nanotechnology is being embedded into products at the design stage instead of being treated as an experimental add-on.

By working with polymer nanostructures, surface engineering, and nano-enhanced materials, POLYMER NANO CENTRUM(who sponsor this webpage) are addressing concrete industrial demands: improved mechanical performance, functional surfaces, conductivity, durability, and material efficiency of coatings, resins, and plastics. These capabilities are directly relevant to sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, electronics, and advanced manufacturing — sectors where Czechia already has a strong industrial base.

From a business perspective, the value lies not only in performance gains but also in competitive differentiation. Nano-enabled polymers allow manufacturers to reduce material usage, extend product lifetimes, and create features that are difficult for competitors to replicate quickly.

Why Czechia Stands Out for Nanotechnology Investment

Czechia’s growing role as a nanotechnology hub rests on a combination of factors that are particularly attractive to industry:

·    A concentration of applied nanotechnology expertise linked closely to manufacturing.

·    Strong technical universities with a tradition of industry collaboration.

·    A skilled workforce experienced in polymers, materials science, chemistry, and engineering.

·    Central European logistics and supply-chain accessibility.

·    A stable democratic economy with a solid currency and pro-business government.

Together, these elements create an environment where nanotechnology can move efficiently from research to revenue.

Czechia’s position at the heart of Europe has long made it a crossroads for trade and industry. Today, that same position is being reinforced by its role in nanotechnology — not only as a place where research happens but also where nanotechnology is manufactured, applied, and commercialised.

As global industries look for materials that offer higher performance, sustainability and economic efficiency, Czechia is increasingly providing answers at the nanoscale. In that sense, the country is no longer just centrally located on the map — it is becoming central to how nanotechnology is applied in industry.

Related articles: Where Nanostructured Polymers are Advancing Industry or What is POLYMER NANO CENTRUM?

Photo credit: Dalibor Vilovski on Pexels, Picryl, Gencraft, & POLYMER NANO CENTRUM

Manufacturers have become used to the advances which nanomaterial science is providing the polymer sector. But what if it was possible to design a polymer surface that actively neutralises viruses without chemistry? That’s exactly what a recent breakthrough in mechano-virucidal nanostructures promises to deliver.

Typical antiviral coatings rely on chemical agents — metals like silver or copper, or biocides that release toxins. These can be effective, but they bring concerns about environmental persistence, material degradation, cytotoxicity, and even the emergence of resistance.

Related articles: Where Nanostructured Polymers are Advancing Industry and On-Demand Biocide for Glass, Plastic and Metal

But the latest nanotechnology research flips this approach to cleanliness on its head by replacing chemistry with geometry.

The core of the new concept is based on sculpting the surface of a polymer film at the nanoscale so that it mechanically disrupts virus particles on contact. This mechano-virucidal approach borrows from and extends earlier work based on nanoscale structures that could physically break bacteria membranes through mechanical stress. By tailoring nanoscale topography to match the dimensions and mechanics of viruses, nanomaterial researchers have created polymer surfaces that can literally kill viruses without chemicals.

How Nanopillars Destroy Viruses

The study was based in Australia’s RMIT University and lays out a clear design principle: arrays of tiny polymer nanopillars with precise pitch (spacing) and height can generate stresses large enough to exceed the rupture threshold of a virus’s envelope. Significantly, the research team used ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) with anodised aluminium templates to create flexible acrylic films patterned with regular nanopillars.

By systematically varying the spacing and height of these nanopillars, they found that:

·    Tighter spacing (~60 nm) produces a high-level antiviral effect, with a 94 % reduction in the infection ability of human parainfluenza virus type 3 within just one hour of contact.

·    Wider spacing (>100 nm) weakens the effect, and at ~200 nm the efficiency of the antiviral property essentially disappears.

·    Computational modelling shows these dense arrays produce local stress fields exceeding the estimated ~10 megapascal rupture limit of the viral envelope, physically disrupting the particle.

In simple terms, these are polymer surfaces that don’t poison viruses — they physically challenge them at a scale where their own structure gives way.

Why This Matters for Polymer Manufacturers

From a business perspective, this research is groundbreaking, as it removes the need for scarce and potentially toxic agents by replacing them with topographical engineering. The nanoscale shape of the polymer is enough to keep it clean.

Additionally, the use of acrylic films and imprint techniques in the experiments points to methods that can be scaled beyond lab samples toward industrial production.

It also opens up a range of industrial applications where antiviral protection is a key element and valuable sales point. These include:

·    Healthcare and food preparation environments—such as door handles, bed rails, or hospital instrument surfaces where surface-transmission risk is high.

·    Public transport and shared spaces—buttons, handrails, and counters in buses, trains, elevators, and shops where virus persistence could be reduced without chemical wiping.

·    Consumer electronics—mobile phone screens and digital interfaces, such as touchscreens or keypads, could use nanotechnology to manage viral contamination passively.

Notably, this approach could also complement ongoing work in antiviral coatings and filtration, offering a mechanical guard that works alongside chemical and biological strategies rather than replacing them altogether.

The discovery also creates new clear design rules which offer a roadmap for further improvements and expansion on how nanomodification of polymers can provide enhancements and added properties. This could open doors to multifunctional polymers that combine mechanical robustness, antiviral action, and other performance attributes, such as boosted mechanical strength or optical transparency.

This new mechano-virucidal strategy turns nano-engineering into a proactive defence for polymer surfaces. In a world where viral threats — whether seasonal flu, common respiratory viruses, or emerging epidemics — are part of the public consciousness, solutions that embed protection into the very structure of materials are both elegant and pragmatic.

A future where, for polymer researchers and plastic businesses alike, this isn’t just about reducing the spread of viruses — it’s about rethinking what polymer surfaces can do.

Photo credit: Dragana_Gordic, Flickr, & Flickr

In the village of Rakovník, just outside Prague, a technological transformation is under way. An unassuming village where material researchers are turning an innovative nanostructuring science into real industrial applications.

The heart of this activity is POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, a company combining science and business in one of the few privately owned nanotechnology centres in Central Europe.

Founded by its parent company, AG CHEMI GROUP (a supplier of industrial chemicals and feedstocks for over 30 years), the company has always had a clear strategic vision: to make nanotechnology an industrial reality — not just an academic curiosity. And by investing in analytical instruments, extrusion analysers, spectrometers, and pilot production equipment, the company has built a platform capable of characterising, optimising, and producing nanostructured polymers for a growing range of applications.

Here’s how.

What Nanostructuring Means for Polymer Performance

Unlike traditional composite approaches that target only one aspect of performance, nanostructured polymers developed by POLYMER NANO CENTRUM deliver multi-dimensional improvements:

· Thermal and environmental resistance: Nanoscale layers act as barriers that slow down heat-induced ageing and protect against environmental degradation.

· Functional properties: Enhanced electrical conductivity and antistatic behaviour enable new applications in electronics and EMI shielding.

· Mechanical performance: Nanomaterials dispersed within polymers help distribute load more efficiently, increasing strength without compromising flexibility.

· Barrier performance: Reduced gas and moisture permeation are valuable for food and pharmaceutical packaging, storage tanks, and piping systems.

· Lifecycle and recyclability: Nanostructured polymers retain functional performance over repeated processing and use.

These improvements have been proven to work not only in laboratory testing, but also after being transferred into standard manufacturing processes, making them directly relevant for producers of advanced polymer products.

Related articles: Smart Polymers That Harden Only When Needed or Nanocomposites Create Antimicrobial Coating for Touchscreens

Real Industry Benefits Across Sectors

The nanostructuring technology developed by POLYMER NANO CENTRUM is already delivering measurable results across a wide range of industrial applications. In the automotive sector, polymer components now achieve higher thermal stability without sacrificing mechanical durability. In construction, nanostructured composites offer extended service life and improved resilience, while in electronics, plastics can be engineered with precisely controlled electrical properties for antistatic or conductive uses. Defence and safety applications also benefit from materials that remain lightweight yet exceptionally robust, even under extreme conditions.

Across all these sectors, the unifying theme is functionality without compromise. Nanostructured polymers consistently outperform conventional materials in strength, durability, and specialised performance, while remaining fully compatible with high-volume, cost-efficient manufacturing. This combination of advanced performance and industrial scalability is what makes the technology commercially meaningful, not just scientifically impressive.

Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth

The secret behind this progress isn’t just the technology — it’s the people and partnerships that bring it to life. POLYMER NANO CENTRUM’s team includes experts in chemistry, material science, and engineering, who work closely with universities and research institutions to refine and elevate future innovations.

But at the same time, other team members are experienced in business, manufacturing, and the supply of industrial raw materials.

This combination of industry know-how, business acumen, and academic understanding of nanotechnology underpins POLYMER NANO CENTRUM’s ability to scale and explore new markets.

As the demand for specialised, higher-performance polymer materials grows across industries, nanostructured polymers are poised to play a key role in modern industry. In this way POLYMER NANO CENTRUM’s journey from the science lab to the factory floor illustrates how advanced materials science can be turned into practical, high-value products that address real manufacturing challenges.

For manufacturers seeking polymer solutions that go beyond ‘tweaking’ improvements, the integration of nanotechnology allows businesses to ‘think big’ by adding performance characteristics once thought impossible. Composite materials that can self-heal, flame-retardant plastics, electrically conductive wood, or polymers which are stronger than steel yet remain flexible and lightweight.

This positions POLYMER NANO CENTRUM and its clients at the cutting edge of both material engineering and market expansion.

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Polymer production processes for coatings, composites, adhesives, and additive manufacturing all face the same recurring trade-off, where highly reactive systems offer performance, but at the cost of limited shelf life, strict handling requirements, and/or wasted raw materials.

For example, conventional cure-on-demand approaches typically rely on sensitive catalysts, thermal triggers, or tightly controlled processing windows — all of which add cost, energy use, and operational risk.

But the smart application of nanotechnology into polymers has introduced a fundamentally different strategy: instead of switching the catalyst on, the polymer’s building blocks themselves are switched off until activation. The result is a new class of latent polymer systems that remain stable during storage and transportation yet harden rapidly and precisely when triggered.

At the core of this advance is a photoswitchable olefin system based on the reversible transformation of the hydrocarbon quadricyclane into norbornadiene. In its quadricyclane form, the monomer is chemically “asleep” — resistant to polymerisation even in the presence of an active metathesis catalyst. Exposure to light or gentle heat reverses the molecular structure, restoring the reactive norbornadiene and allowing polymerisation to proceed immediately.

The discovery was made at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and has now been published in the journal Nature Chemistry. “Instead of a 'sleeping' catalyst, we created 'sleeping' building blocks of the material itself,” says study lead Prof. Yossi Weizmann. “The mixture can sit quietly on the shelf for weeks and will snap together into a solid only when you shine light on it or warm it up. That kind of on-demand, light-driven curing could make industrial production, printing, and repair processes safer, simpler and more energy-efficient.”

This seemingly subtle chemical switch has major commercial implications, as it allows for formulations to be prepared, shipped, and stored in a ready-to-use liquid state without premature curing. Polymerisation occurs only when and where activation is applied.

Precision Curing Enabled by Nanotechnology

One of the most compelling aspects of the system is how activation can be localised. By incorporating gold nanoparticles that convert near-infrared light into heat, the nanomaterial researchers have demonstrated spatially selective curing. This means that only the illuminated regions of the polymer reach the activation temperature, while the surrounding material remains fluid and inactive.

At the heart of the new ‘sleeping state’ monomer are three key factors:

· Building blocks that can link together into long plastic-like chains.

· A standard industrial catalyst that drives the chain-forming reaction.

· Tiny gold nanoparticles that act as microscopic heaters when illuminated with near-infrared light.

For manufacturers, this opens the door to far more than simple curing control. Components with variable mechanical properties can be produced from a single formulation, enabling gradual transitions from soft to rigid regions within the same part.

Compared with conventional thermally or chemically initiated polymer systems, latent monomer architectures offer several practical benefits:

· Extended shelf life without refrigeration or inert atmospheres, reducing storage and transport costs.

· Lower energy input during curing, as activation relies on mild heating or targeted light exposure.

· Improved workplace safety by avoiding highly reactive or unstable initiators.

· Reduced waste from premature gelation or expired formulations.

These advantages directly address cost, reliability, and scalability — the key factors that most likely to restrict adoption of advanced polymer chemistries by manufacturers.

The technology even aligns well with production processes. In additive manufacturing, for example, latent monomers could remain printable for extended periods and be cured layer-by-layer with exceptional spatial accuracy. In coatings and repair applications, materials could be applied without time pressure and hardened only after precise positioning.

It is this kind of application of nanotechnology that is quietly revolutionising the polymer industry. The application of nanomaterials into polymers has already solved numerous challenges, allowing for UV-protective coatings, fast curing of epoxy resin floorings, polypropylene with antimicrobial surfaces, or crack-resistant paints.

Related articles: Nanotech for Industry or Boosting Strength, Cutting Costs: Nanotech in Green Polymers

Now polymer researchers have used gold nanoparticles to enable the on-demand curing of a polymer. A discovery which may help other polymer manufacturers to wonder how their processes and products could be adapted with nanotechnology to provide unique selling points or to create cost savings.

As Nir Lemcoff, one of the study’s lead authors, concludes, “This work demonstrates a new way of thinking about a general problem in polymer science. Hopefully, it will inspire scientists [and polymer producers] to look at the challenges in their own work with a fresh point of view.”

POLYMER NANO CENTRUM helps businesses turn polymer ideas into market-ready products faster and with less risk. By combining applied research, advanced testing and real industrial experience, the centre supports companies at every stage of product design.

Businesses gain access to expert guidance on material selection, nano-additives, processing methods and performance optimisation. This reduces development costs, shortens time to market and improves product reliability. POLYMER NANO CENTRUM (who sponsor this website) also helps firms meet regulatory and sustainability requirements, giving them a competitive edge. For SMEs especially, it acts as an innovation partner that bridges the gap between laboratory research and profitable commercial production.

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For many polymer products, antimicrobial performance is no longer a “nice to have” feature. Instead, buyers of healthcare equipment and food packaging, or those who supply public handrails, handles, and high-use surfaces, expect materials that actively reduce contamination while remaining safe, durable, and cost-effective.

For many years now, nanomaterials have made it possible to produce plastics, coatings, and polymer-based sprays with long-lasting antimicrobial properties. However, what is needed in many situations, is a coating which destroys contaminants on demand.

Now a new breakthrough has been made showing how nanotechnology can create biocides which are formed only when microbes are present. Called B-STING (Biocidal Silica-Templated Immobilized Nano-Groups) the discovery could reshape how antimicrobial functionality is built into raw materials.

The study was conducted at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kracow and is based on the intelligent application of silica-based nanocomposites to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) on demand. Unlike traditional antimicrobial additives that constantly release active agents, this material stays passive until it detects chemical signals associated with microbial activity. When bacteria or fungi are present, the surface “switches on” and generates short-lived biocides that deactivate the microbes. Once the threat is gone, the activity stops.

"When we use nanoparticles of, say, gold or silver for biocidal purposes, they have to interact directly with microorganisms,” explains Dr. Magdalena Laskowska, the study’s first author. “Our material is the result of a decade of work on a radically different approach [as] it is not in itself a biologically active substance. However, what it is, is a nanofactory that produces reactive oxygen species that are lethal to microorganisms and effectively penetrate the cell membranes of bacteria and fungi.”

The findings, published in Applied Surface Science, show that the new material behaves very differently from conventional nanoparticles, which often degrade or require external activation. The current solution to this is higher additive loadings, which cost more, are wasteful, and incur increasing regulatory scrutiny.

In contrast, this new nanotech coating does not need regeneration and remains effective as long as oxygen and water are present.  Additionally, the use of nanoparticles and on-demand activation means lower overall biocide exposure, longer functional lifetimes, and greater sustainability—factors that matter to both regulators and customers. Tests on human fibroblasts have also confirmed that the material is safe for human cells.

Silica nanocomposites are already widely used as fillers or functional additives, making integration into existing polymer systems easier than many exotic nanomaterials. Furthermore, the research suggests these coatings or additive layers can remain transparent, mechanically stable, and compatible with common processing methods. This makes it likely that the nanotechnology can provide antimicrobial functionality without compromising aesthetics, performance, or major changes to current production facilities.

Related articles: Nanocomposites Create Antimicrobial Coating for Touchscreens or Beetroot-Nanotech for Antimicrobial Action in Polypropylene

Another commercial advantage lies in differentiation. On-demand antimicrobial polymers offer a clear value proposition that can be communicated to end users: protection when it is needed, inactivity when it is not. Another example of how nanotechnology is helping to solve some of manufacturing’s most pressing challenges.

Potential application areas include:

· Medical devices and hospital surfaces where infection control is critical.

· Food-contact plastics and packaging requiring high hygiene standards.

· Public-use components such as handles, switches and transport interiors.

· Consumer products where durability and cleanliness must coexist.

This is a diverse range of products and materials, as the online journal Phys.org reports, “These coatings can be applied to various materials—especially polymers, metals and glass—as well as to objects with complex shapes. In the long term, the lack of a trigger and long-term operation also allow for intrabody applications, in the form of coatings on implants or dental fillings.”

The practical possibilities of such a discovery mean that on-demand biocidal nanocomposites are not just a scientific curiosity but instead represent a tangible opportunity for polymer producers. By providing antimicrobial properties to everyday raw materials, manufacturers can use nanotechnology to improve margins, increase sustainability, meet evolving customer expectations, and gain a competitive edge in hygiene-sensitive markets.

For innovation-driven companies, the key challenge is translating promising laboratory research, such as nanomaterials which provide antimicrobial properties, into commercially viable solutions. This involves optimising dispersion, ensuring processing stability, validating long-term performance, and navigating regulatory requirements. POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, a Prague-based business, plays a critical role in this field by bridging applied research to industrial reality.

By supporting material selection, testing and scale-up, the company (which sponsors this website) helps businesses reduce development risk and bring advanced nanotechnology to polymer products and then to market faster.

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