Characterizing Forms and Functions 405
laps and ambiguities and is simply a device for organizing the
discussion in this chapter.
The figure illustrates common characteristics and functionalities in relation to typical product forms. The vertical axis shows
normal attribute or property characteristics of nanomaterials, that
is, mechanical (strength, stiffness, etc.), thermal, optical, sound,
chemical, and electromagnetic, and various functionalities (antibacterial and other). There has already been considerable discussion of property characteristics of nanomaterials in Chapters 6–9
and their role in product applications. There are also characteristics
that are directly related to property attributes that involve words
such as color changing or shape changing or other so-called “smart”
actions. This chapter only briefly touches on these characteristics.
Rather, we focus more on the kinds of functional behaviors listed
in Figure 10.1. In the field there is considerable excitement about
how nanomaterials can contribute to imparting different functional
qualities of the type shown to various bulk materials. Our list of
desired functionalities is abbreviated and could be easily extended
to include many others—for example, antistatic, anticorrosive, and
seemingly anti-anything. Other applications such as air or water
purification could possibly be put here as well. Only selected functionalities, however, are examined in this chapter.
The horizontal axis of Figure 10.1 shows various common product
forms that can be obtained in bulk sizes and that can be used in
various engineering, architecture, and product design applications.
At left on the horizontal axis are primary forms of nanocomposites,
in the middle are surface-oriented films and coatings, and on the
right are special product forms. Not all product forms are shown. In
particular, forms of nanoparticles or nanotubes that are fundamental constituents of other nanocomposite types, such as nanopowders or nanoclays, are not shown. These are indeed product forms,
but they are essentially ingredients in more complex bulk forms
that have immediate applications and are not treated here.
The chart suggests that different product forms, such as nanopaints, can be described in terms of both their primary properties
and intended functionalities. The color intensities on the chart do
nothing more than broadly suggest common relationships as a guide
for thinking about relationships. Thus, we have self-cleaning nanopaints or antimicrobial nanotextiles. The color variations on the chart
are meant to be suggestive of the intensity of relationships only.
Thus we see that the exploitation of optical properties and
laps and ambiguities and is simply a device for organizing the
discussion in this chapter.
The figure illustrates common characteristics and functionalities in relation to typical product forms. The vertical axis shows
normal attribute or property characteristics of nanomaterials, that
is, mechanical (strength, stiffness, etc.), thermal, optical, sound,
chemical, and electromagnetic, and various functionalities (antibacterial and other). There has already been considerable discussion of property characteristics of nanomaterials in Chapters 6–9
and their role in product applications. There are also characteristics
that are directly related to property attributes that involve words
such as color changing or shape changing or other so-called “smart”
actions. This chapter only briefly touches on these characteristics.
Rather, we focus more on the kinds of functional behaviors listed
in Figure 10.1. In the field there is considerable excitement about
how nanomaterials can contribute to imparting different functional
qualities of the type shown to various bulk materials. Our list of
desired functionalities is abbreviated and could be easily extended
to include many others—for example, antistatic, anticorrosive, and
seemingly anti-anything. Other applications such as air or water
purification could possibly be put here as well. Only selected functionalities, however, are examined in this chapter.
The horizontal axis of Figure 10.1 shows various common product
forms that can be obtained in bulk sizes and that can be used in
various engineering, architecture, and product design applications.
At left on the horizontal axis are primary forms of nanocomposites,
in the middle are surface-oriented films and coatings, and on the
right are special product forms. Not all product forms are shown. In
particular, forms of nanoparticles or nanotubes that are fundamental constituents of other nanocomposite types, such as nanopowders or nanoclays, are not shown. These are indeed product forms,
but they are essentially ingredients in more complex bulk forms
that have immediate applications and are not treated here.
The chart suggests that different product forms, such as nanopaints, can be described in terms of both their primary properties
and intended functionalities. The color intensities on the chart do
nothing more than broadly suggest common relationships as a guide
for thinking about relationships. Thus, we have self-cleaning nanopaints or antimicrobial nanotextiles. The color variations on the chart
are meant to be suggestive of the intensity of relationships only.
Thus we see that the exploitation of optical properties and