Nanotechnology and its application in F1

[FoxHound]

Had an interesting chat with a student from Southampton University currently doing a degree in aeronautical engineering.
The gist of the conversation was that whilst currently an expensive area of development, the application of this tech is going to have a huge effect on F1, and is already filtering into the sport for a few years now.

He pointed me to a couple of excellent article's which I think would be useful to start the thread, as it will be relevant to F1.
Here is an excerpt:

Wings made from such materials, which can 'feel' changes in pressure or temperature, or transform from liquid to solid when a magnetic field or electric current is applied to them, could unfurl, bend and shape themselves on-the-fly to adapt to evolving demands. Their appeal is clear.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/feat ... ature91197

Then we have the heat dissipating properties of carbon nano-tubes, which potentially can be transferred to any area of the car at a whim.
This, in conjunction with the material being able to monitor every square inch of the car on the fly and record the data in real time.
I was given a video for this, but there are currently a few aeronautical papers out there explaining this in great detail.
I've supplied a Wiki link to go with the vid.

Forward to 1:35
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRMiQRiK5GY[/youtube]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckypaper

[Holm86]

Interesting stuff. I'll read this when im off work

[WhiteBlue]

Nanotubes are used in the latest and greatest ultra capacitors. Very likely to be used in top class racing due to the unique power and energy density.

[FoxHound]

Nanotubes are used in the latest and greatest ultra capacitors. Very likely to be used in top class racing due to the unique power and energy density.

Sure, McLaren and Mercedes have been using it since 2009 for the ultra capacitors in KERS.
But this is a very small part of the whole potential of Nanotech and its wide ranging implications in F1 racing.

[turbof1]

Wasn't red bull using this back in 2010-2011 to make their wings flex non-linear?

The issue with nano tubes is then when a team does start to design complete cars out of it, we might see it banned due too expensive.

[FoxHound]

Wasn't red bull using this back in 2010-2011 to make their wings flex non-linear?

The issue with nano tubes is then when a team does start to design complete cars out of it, we might see it banned due too expensive.

There are some rumours about Red Bull and it's use of this tech. None can be proved though, and remain speculation.
Although the cause of the speculation is in the behaviour of the front wing, and the wires protruding from it(after a crash of theirs) which may or may not have been running an electric current through the wing.

As for the issue of it being to expensive, I think the FIA has already shown some misgivings towards this.
I'll try get the link in a bit.

[Lycoming]

I don't see how nanotubes would make the wing flex non linear in a way that can't be achieved with conventional carbon fibers. Currently, the only commercial application for carbon nanotubes I'm aware of in terms of structural composites is using short sections of nanotubes as filler in the resin to improve the matrix properties. Being a discontinuous fiber composite, the mechanical properties of said resin is not exactly mind blowing.

[flynfrog]

I second that Lyco. The non liner flexing wing can be done with simple ply placement but that topic has been beaten to death. Until you can make a car sized nanotubes they are just a slightly better than milled fiber filler.


You could use the Nanotubes for paint pigment and make the blackest paint.
http://www.dvice.com/archives/2010/12/n ... notube.php

[FoxHound]

But what of its other applications?
I'm dubious as to whether anyone is using nanotechnology on their front wing, but there there are other applications which could be in use or very soon.

I'm thinking of heat dissipation at the rear of the car.
With all the systems being crammed into the cars next year, including turbo's, heat management will need to be one of the top priorities.

The way I was explained, using this tech will reduce heat and its associated losses by channelling thermal energy to more desired parts of the car.

Hell, when you think about it couldnt they charge the kers battery using this stuff?
It would certainly save mass in having less moving parts and other complexities in energy recuperation.