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Nanotechnology is starting to have numerous novel applications, and what once was considered just ivory tower research is quickly starting to permeate the main stream. Nanotechnology involves a branch of science and engineering devoted to the design and production of extremely small materials, electronic devices and circuits built from individual atoms and molecules. The applications appear to be endless.

For example, nanotechnology can be found in sun lotions, sun screen and quick drying paint, just to name a few of its influences. This revolutionary technology will certainly have a very profound impact on the diamond industry. Nanotechnology can be used to manufacture diamonds that cannot be distinguished from mined diamonds. This feat alone will slash into traditional diamond sales as the usage becomes more prevalent. With the myriad of usages nanotechnology provides, you have Wall Street taking a very keen interest.

The very widespread applications were recently underscored by a study conducted by Lux Research, which showed that 3,800 nanotech patents have been issued so far and that almost 1,800 more are still pending. Many experts are comparing the new nanotech technology to when plastic first burst onto the scene. Before plastic, virtually everything was manufactured out of wood or metal. Eventually plastic proved that it could the job much cheaper and better. As a result, plastics quickly became involved in about every part of our lives, much like the nanotech revolution is doing today—only on a more sophisticated level.

The flexibility behind nanotech is that virtually any substance can be redesigned to perform new functions by playing around with the atoms. For example, consider Ecology Coatings, which uses nanotech to generate a liquid solid that flows but does not evaporate. This is a great breakthrough for factory usage as a coating can be put on like paint and then dried using an ultraviolet light in less than three seconds, which gets around one of the biggest bottlenecks at major manufacturing facilities.

Other businesses are applying nanotech technology to produce nanotech particles that go  into a variety of things like Oil of Olay’s moisturizer line, providing a sun block and comfortable lotion feel all into one product. In addition, Nucryst Pharmaceuticals is using nanotechnology to treat burn victims. Basically they are designing silver particles into bandages to help treat the burn and to combat infections. Nano-Tex now makes cotton pants that actually repel water and they are being sold now in most Eddie Bauer store locations around the country.

But without a doubt the current nanotech application that is getting the most attention is the one implemented by Apollo Diamond. Through nanotech, this Boston-based company can create cultured diamonds one atomic layer at a time. For all intents and purposes, they are real diamonds but are man-made, versus being created over hundreds of years by intense underground pressure and heat. This type of nanotech application, when it finally becomes widespread, promises to turn the diamond business over on its ear.

All these different applications have investors and venture capital firms scrambling feverishly to find the next monumental, revolutionary and moneymaking ideas emanating from the nanotech world. Stay tune for the next big nanotech “killer app.”

Happy Trading.

Jeff Neal
Senior Writer & Options Strategist
Optionetics.com ~ Your Options Education Site
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