Nanotechnology :Applications of Nanomaterials

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Below we list some key current and potential shortand long-term applications of nanomaterials. Most current applications represent evolutionary developments of existing technologies: for example, the reduction in size of electronics devices.

Current Applications
a) Sunscreens and Cosmetics
Nanosized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are currently used in some sunscreens, as they absorb and reflect ultraviolet (UV) rays and yet are transparent to visible light and so are more appealing to the consumer. Nanosized iron oxide is present in some lipsticks as a pigment but it is our understanding that it is not used by the European cosmetics sector. The use of nanoparticles in cosmetics has raised a number of concerns about consumer safety.
b) Composites
An important use of nanoparticles and nanotubes is in composites, materials that combine one or more separate components and which are designed to exhibit overall the best properties of each component. This multi-functionality applies not only to mechanical properties, but extends to optical, electrical and magnetic ones. Currently, carbon fibres and bundles of multi-walled CNTs are used in polymers to control or enhance conductivity, with applications such as antistatic packaging. The use of individual CNTs in composites is a potential long-term application. A particular type of nanocomposite is where nanoparticles act as fillers in a matrix; for example, carbon black used as a filler to reinforce car tyres. However, particles of carbon black can range from tens to hundreds of nanometres in size, so not all carbon black falls within our definition of nanoparticles.
c) Clays
Clays containing naturally occurring nanoparticles have long been important as construction materials and are undergoing continuous improvement. Clay particle based composites – containing plastics and nano-sized flakes of clay – are also finding applications such as use in car bumpers.
d) Coatings and Surfaces
Coatings with thickness controlled at the nano- or atomic scale have been in routine production for some time, for example in molecular beam epitaxy or metal oxide chemical vapor depositionfor optoelectonic devices, or in catalytically active and chemically functionalized surfaces. Recently developed applications include the self-cleaning window, which is coated in highly activated titanium dioxide, engineered to be highly hydrophobic (water repellent) and antibacterial, and coatings based on nanoparticulate oxides that catalytically destroy chemical agents. Wear and scratch-resistant hard coatings are significantly improved by nanoscale intermediate layers (or multilayers) between the hard outer layer and the substrate material. The intermediate layers give good bonding and graded matching of elastic and thermal properties, thus improving adhesion. A range of enhanced textiles, such as breathable, waterproof and stainresistant fabrics, have been enabled by the improved control of porosity at the nanoscale and surface roughness in a variety of polymers and inorganics.
e) Tougher and Harder Cutting Tools
Cutting tools made of nanocrystalline materials, such as tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide and titanium carbide, are more wear and erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional (large-grained) counterparts. They are finding applications in the drills used to bore holes in circuit boards.
Short-term Applications (next 5 years)a) Paints
Incorporating nanoparticles in paints could improve their performance, for example by making them lighter and giving them different properties. Thinner paint coatings (‘lightweighting’), used for example on aircraft, would reduce their weight, which could be beneficial to the environment. However, the whole life cycle of the aircraft needs to be considered before overall benefits can be claimed. It may also be possible to substantially reduce solvent content of paints, with resulting environmental benefits. New types of foulingresistant marine paint could be developed and are urgently needed as alternatives to tributyl tin (TBT), now that the ecological impacts of TBT have been recognised. Anti-fouling surface treatment is also valuable in process applications such as heat exchange, where it could lead to energy savings. If they can be produced at sufficiently low cost, fouling-resistant coatings could be used in routine duties such as piping for domestic and industrial water systems. It remains speculation whether very effective anti-fouling coatings could reduce the use of biocides, including chlorine. Other novel, and more long-term, applications for nanoparticles might lie in paints that change colour in response to change in temperature or chemical environment, or paints that have reduced infra-red absorptivity and so reduce heat loss.
Concerns about the health and environmental impacts of nanoparticles may require the need for the durability and abrasion behaviour of nano-engineered paints and coatings to be addressed, so that abrasion products take the form of coarse or microscopic agglomerates rather than individual nanoparticles.
b) Remediation
The potential of nanoparticles to react with pollutants in soil and groundwater and transform them into harmless compounds is being researched. In one pilot study the large surface area and high surface reactivity of iron nanoparticles were exploited to transform chlorinated hydrocarbons (some of which are believed to be carcinogens) into less harmful end products in groundwater. It is also hoped that they could be used to transform heavy metals such as lead and mercury from bioavailable forms into insoluble forms. Serious concerns have been raised over the uncontrolled release of nanoparticles into the environment.
c) Fuel Cells
Engineered surfaces are essential in fuel cells, where the external surface properties and the pore structure affect performance. The hydrogen used as the immediate fuel in fuel cells may be generated from hydrocarbons by catalytic reforming, usually in a reactor module associated directly with the fuel cell. The potential use of nano-engineered membranes to intensify catalytic processes could enable higher-efficiency, small-scale fuel cells. These could act as distributed sources of electrical power. It may eventually be possible to produce hydrogen locally from sources other than hydrocarbons, which are the feedstocks of current attention.
d) Displays
The huge market for large area, high brightness, flat-panel displays, as used in television screens and computer monitors, is driving the development of some nanomaterials. Nanocrystalline zinc selenide, zinc sulphide, cadmium sulphide and lead telluride synthesized by sol–gel techniques (a process for making ceramic and glass materials, involving the transition from a liquid ‘sol’ phase to a solid ‘gel’ phase) are candidates for the next generation of light-emitting phosphors. CNTs are being investigated for low voltage field-emission displays; their strength, sharpness, conductivity and inertness make them potentially very efficient and long-lasting emitters.
e) Batteries
With the growth in portable electronic equipment (mobile phones, navigation devices, laptop computers, remote sensors), there is great demand for lightweight, high-energy density batteries. Nanocrystalline materials synthesized by sol–gel techniques are candidates for separator plates in batteries because of their foam-like (aerogel) structure, which can hold considerably more energy than conventional ones. Nickel–metal hydride batteries made of nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydrides are envisioned to require less frequent recharging and to last longer because of their large grain boundary (surface) area.
f) Fuel Additives
Research is underway into the addition of nanoparticulate ceria (cerium oxide) to diesel fuel to improve fuel economy by reducing the degradation of fuel consumption over time.
g) Catalysts
In general, nanoparticles have a high surface area, and hence provide higher catalytic activity. Nanotechnologies are enabling changes in the degree of control in the production of nanoparticles, and the support structure on which they reside. It is possible to synthesise metal nanoparticles in solution in the presence of a surfactant to form highly ordered monodisperse films of the catalyst nanoparticles on a surface. This allows more uniformity in the size and chemical structure of the catalyst, which in turn leads to greater catalytic activity and the production of fewer byproducts. It may also be possible to engineer specific or selective activity. These more active and durable catalysts could find early application in cleaning up waste streams. This will be particularly beneficial if it reduces the demand for platinum-group metals, whose use in standard catalytic units is starting to emerge as a problem, given the limited availability of these metals.
Longer-term Applications (next 5-15 years)a) Carbon Nanotube Composites
CNTs have exceptional mechanical properties, particularly high tensile strength and light weight. An obvious area of application would be in nanotubereinforced composites, with performance beyond current carbon-fibre composites. One current limit to the introduction of CNTs in composites is the problem of structuring the tangle of nanotubes in a well-ordered manner so that use can be made of their strength. Another challenge is generating strong bonding between CNTs and the matrix, to give good overall composite performance and retention during wear or erosion of composites. The surfaces of CNTs are smooth and relatively unreactive, and so tend to slip through the matrix when it is stressed. One approach that is being explored to prevent this slippage is the attachment of chemical side-groups to CNTs, effectively to form ‘anchors’. Another limiting factor is the cost of production of CNTs. However, the potential benefits of such light, high strength material in numerous applications for transportation are such that significant further research is likely.
b) Lubricants
Nanospheres of inorganic materials could be used as lubricants, in essence by acting as nanosized ‘ball bearings’. The controlled shape is claimed to make them more durable than conventional solid lubricants and wear additives. Whether the increased financial and resource cost of producing them is offset by the longer service life of lubricants and parts remains to be investigated. It is also claimed that these nanoparticles reduce friction between metal surfaces, particularly at high normal loads. If so, they should find their first applications in high-performance engines and drivers; this could include the energy sector as well as transport. There is a further claim that this type of lubricant is effective even if the metal surfaces are not highly smooth. Again, the benefits of reduced cost and resource input for machining must be compared against production of nanolubricants. In all these applications, the particles would be dispersed in a conventional liquid lubricant; design of the lubricant system must therefore include measures to contain and manage waste.


c) Magnetic Materials
It has been shown that magnets made of nanocrystalline yttrium–samarium–cobalt grains possess unusual magnetic properties due to their extremely large grain interface area (high coercivity can be obtained because magnetization flips cannot easily propagate past the grain boundaries). This could lead to applications in motors, analytical instruments like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), used widely in hospitals, and microsensors. Overall magnetisation, however, is currently limited by the ability to align the grains’ direction of magnetisation.
Nanoscale-fabricated magnetic materials also have applications in data storage. Devices such as computer hard disks depend on the ability to magnetize small areas of a spinning disk to record information. If the area required to record one piece of information can be shrunk in the nanoscale (and can be written and read reliably), the storage capacity of the disk can be improved dramatically. In the future, the devices on computer chips which currently operate using flows of electrons could use the magnetic properties of these electrons, called spin, with numerous advantages. Recent advances in novel magnetic materials and their nanofabrication are encouraging in this respect.
d) Medical Implants
Current medical implants, such as orthopaedic implants and heart valves, are made of titanium and stainless steel alloys, primarily because they are biocompatible. Unfortunately, in some cases these metal alloys may wear out within the lifetime of the patient. Nanocrystalline zirconium oxide (zirconia) is hard, wearresistant, bio-corrosion resistant and bio-compatible. It therefore presents an attractive alternative material for implants. It and other nanoceramics can also be made as strong, light aerogels by sol–gel techniques. Nanocrystalline silicon carbide is a candidate material for artificial heart valves primarily because of its low weight, high strength and inertness.
e) Machinable Ceramics
Ceramics are hard, brittle and difficult to machine. However, with a reduction in grain size to the nanoscale, ceramic ductility can be increased. Zirconia, normally a hard, brittle ceramic, has even been rendered superplastic (for example, able to be deformed up to 300% of its original length). Nanocrystalline ceramics, such as silicon nitride and silicon carbide, have been used in such automotive applications as high-strength springs, ball bearings and valve lifters, because they can be easily formed and machined, as well as exhibiting excellent chemical and high-temperature properties. They are also used as components in high-temperature furnaces. Nanocrystalline ceramics can be pressed into complex net shapes and sintered at significantly lower temperatures than conventional ceramics.
f) Water Purification
Nano-engineered membranes could potentially lead to more energy-efficient water purification processes, notably in desalination by reverse osmosis. Again, these applications would represent incremental improvements in technologies that are already available. They would use fixed nanoparticles, and are therefore distinct from applications that propose to use free nanoparticles.
g) Military Battle Suits
Enhanced nanomaterials form the basis of a state-of- the-art ‘battle suit’ that is being developed by the Institute of Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT. A short-term development is likely to be energy-absorbing materials that will withstand blast waves; longer-term are those that incorporate sensors to detect or respond to chemical and biological weapons (for example, responsive nanopores that ‘close’ upon detection of a biological agent). There is speculation that developments could include materials which monitor physiology while a soldier is still on the battlefield, and uniforms with potential medical applications, such as splints for broken bones.

Peacock feathers and butterfly wings inspire bio-templated nanotechnology materials

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(Nanowerk Spotlight) Photonic crystals – also known as photonic band gap material – are similar to semiconductors, only that the electrons are replaced by photons (i.e. light). By creating periodic structures out of materials with contrast in their dielectric constants, it becomes possible to guide the flow of light through the photonic crystals in a way similar to how electrons are directed through doped regions of semiconductors. The photonic band gap (that forbids propagation of a certain frequency range of light) gives rise to distinct optical phenomena and enables one to control light with amazing facility and produce effects that are impossible with conventional optics.
A prominent example of a photonic crystal is the naturally occurring gemstone opal. Trying to create artificial opals, researchers have been experimenting with several varieties of synthetic photonic crystals (e.g. opals made up of polystyrene, silica, and PMMA) as structural matrices to incorporate light-emitting materials such as lasing dyes or quantum dots inside in order to achieve hybrid materials with tunable spontaneous emission. These structures are quite promising for performing directional and tunable emission, which is essential for diverse applications in optoelectronics and optical communications.
The problem with artificial opals, which limits their applications, is that they lack in pattern variety and their fabrication requires very expensive equipment and sophisticated processes. In contrast, natural photonic crystals have various patterns that are quite promising structural matrices for creating novel optical devices. One example are peacock feathers, whose iridescent colors are derived from the 2D photonic crystals structure inside the cortex.
"By varying the lattice constant and the number of periods in the photonic crystal structure, peacock feathers provide several 2D photonic crystal structures with different colors" Dr. Di Zhang tells Nanowerk. "In our recent nanotechnology research, we embedded light-emitting nanoparticles into natural photonic crystals in order to fabricate novel, biomaterial-based optical devices with tunable spontaneous emission."
Zhang, a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites at Shanghai Jiao-Tong University in PR China, and his group have chosen peacock feathers as the matrix to embed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles through an in situ approach.

Illustration of the embedment of ZnO nanoparticles in a peacock feather. The peacock feather binds Zn2+ ions via carboxyl groups of aspartic and glutamic acid residues in keratin → in situ ZnO nucleation on the binding sites in a peacock feather → the formation of ZnO nanoparticles → nano-ZnO/peacock feather hybrids are obtained. (Reprinted with permission from IOP)
Zhang explains that both the surface keratin layer and the keratin component connecting melanin rods in the feather cortex could provide reactive sites for the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. "In the resulting nanoZnO/peacock feather, the feather not only functions as the support for ZnO nanoparticles, but also should serve as the light controller according to its 2D photonic crystal structure, which is still under investigation."
The scientists report their findings in the July 28, 2008 online edition of Nanotechnology ("Embedment of ZnO nanoparticles in the natural photonic crystals within peacock feathers").
"We assumed that, in an ideal system, the spontaneous emission is tuned both by the embedded nanostructures and by the photonic crystal matrix of the peacock feather, which is famous for its ability to control light in the visible range" says Zhang. "We chose ZnO nanoparticles as the light-emitting entity with defect emission that spans the visible spectrum. Meanwhile, the ordered melanin arrays within peacock feathers are chosen as the natural photonic crystals that have the ability of controlling visible light. In the resulting nanoZnO/peacock feather, the feather not only functions as the support for ZnO nanoparticles, but also should serve as the light controller according to its 2D photonic crystal structure."
Zhang's group, as well as numerous research groups around the world, are inspired by the biomineralization processes found in nature – the process by which living organisms produce minerals. Whereas the fabrication of many man-made crystals requires elevated temperatures and strong chemical solutions, nature's organisms have long been able to lay down elaborate mineral structures at ambient temperatures. Being able to duplicate nature's 'production process' would potentially allow for much simpler and 'greener' fabrication technologies than the ones employed today.
Zhang explains that various biomaterials, such as amino acids, dipeptides, DNA, microtubules and silk fibroins, have been investigated as ideal biomineralization substrates. "These biomatters mainly serve as the reactive chemical template, the surface modifier, as well as the bottom-up assembly director to control the formation and assembly of nanoparticles and nanoclusters in solution" he says. "However, further treatment, like spin-casting and Langmuir-Blodgett deposition technique, is needed to obtain solid state products for extensive applications. In our research, we introduce a facile route to in situ fabricate ZnO nanoparticles in solid state biosubstrate."
Natural photonic crystals contain abundant reactive sites according to their chemical components, and thus, the Chinese scientists hypothesized, they could act as the reactive chemical template and surface modifier during the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. Furthermore, since the involved reactive bioresidues are dispersed in the solid state structures, this results in a nanoparticles/biomaterials hybrid nanocomposite without further treatment.
This kind of nanocomposite material has potential applications in optoelectronics and optical communications. In addition, the in situ bio-inspired technique associated with constructing functional nanostructures on/in solid state biostructures could lead to various novel nanomaterials.
In the past, the researchers in Zhang's group have already introduced a number of biomaterials and biostructures into their research in order to fabricate functional hybrid nanocomposites with hierarchical nanostructures.
For instance, egg-shell membrane, wood and other plants organisms with hierarchical porous structures, have been used as template to synthesize hierarchical porous functional nanomaterials.
"The specific hierarchical porous structures have been observed to influence the gas sensing and photocatalysis properties of biomorphic nanomaterials" says Zhang. "We also investigated silk fibroin fibers with strings-like morphology, bacteria with sphere and rod shapes, as well as butterfly wings, peacock feathers, and diatom frustules with ordered photonic crystal structures to integrate and enhance the functionalities of inorganic nanoparticles. The resulting hybrid nanocomposites exhibit outstanding chemical or physical properties and have valuable applications in photocatalysis, gas sensing, ductile ceramics, and semiconductor technology."
Examples of some of the bio-inspired functional nanostructures achieved by Zhang's group have been reported previously:
A facile and versatile method to fabricate the interwoven tubular hierarchy of tin oxide films using a biotemplate eggshell membrane combined sol–gel approach ("Fabrication and gas sensitivity of SnO2 hierarchical films with interwoven tubular conformation by a biotemplate-directed sol–gel technique"), eggshell membrane templated nanocomposite films that provide excellent photocatalysis ("Biogenic Synthesis and Photocatalysis of Pd-PdO Nanoclusters Reinforced Hierarchical TiO2 Films with Interwoven and Tubular Conformations"), porous microstructure templated from bacteria ("Novel Bacteria-Templated Sonochemical Route for the in situ One-Step Synthesis of ZnS Hollow Nanostructures"), a room-temperature, bio-inspired technique to synthesize hybrid nanocomposites consisting of well-dispersed CdS quantum dots and the substrate silk fibroin fibers ("In situ synthesis and photoluminescence of QD-CdS on silk fibroin fibers at room temperature"), or iridescent nanostructured ZnO replicas using butterfly wings as templates ("Biomimetic zinc oxide replica with structural color using butterfly (Ideopsis similis) wings as templates").
Bio-inspired fabrication techniques are multidisciplinary efforts that have developed into an intersection of materials science, soft chemistry techniques, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. Zhang points out that their methods and the relevant ideas provide a novel and versatile avenue to synthesize a new family of functional nanomaterials by integrating nanotechnology, material science, chemistry, and biotechnology.
"We envisage that the exploration of these areas will provide new possibilities for the rational design of various kinds of functional nanomaterials with ideal hierarchy and controllable length scales," he says. "Bio-inspired strategies integrating biotemplate, biomineralization, and biomimesis will be extensively developed in the next few years to obtain functional nanocomposites with hierarchical architectures and interrelated unique properties

LHC synchronization test successful

LHC synchronization test successfulLHC synchronization test successful24hoursnews.
11/08/2008.
The synchronization of the LHC's clockwise beam transfer system and the rest of CERN's accelerator chain was successfully achieved last weekend. Tests began on Friday 8 August when a single bunch of a few particles was taken down the transfer line from the SPS accelerator to the LHC. After a period of optimization, one bunch was kicked up from the transfer line into the LHC beam pipe and steered about 3 kilometres around the LHC itself on the first attempt. On Saturday, the test was repeated several times to optimize the transfer before the operations group handed the machine back for hardware commissioning to resume on Sunday. The anti-clockwise synchronization systems will be tested over the weekend of 22 August.
Picture:http://lhc-injection-test.web.cern.ch/lhc-injection-test/
History

Start-up date announced
Imprint
08/07/2008
Subject category
Breaking News
Abstract
7th August 2008. CERN has announced that the first attempt to circulate the beam in the LHC will be made on the 10th September. This news comes as the cool down phase of commissioning the accelerator reaches a successful conclusion.
The next phase is the synchronization of the LHC with the SPS accelerator, the last link in the LHC’s injector chain. A first synchronization test is scheduled for the 9th August, for the clockwise circulating beam, with the second to follow over the coming weeks.
Once stable circulating beams have been established in September they will be brought to collision, and the final step will be to commission the LHC’s acceleration system to boost the energy to 5 TeV, the target energy for 2008.
“We’re finishing a marathon with a sprint”, said LHC project leader Lyn Evans. “It’s been a long haul, and we’re all eager to get the LHC research programme underway.”
For more information, please see the recent press release at:http://press.web.cern.ch/press/PressReleases/Releases2008/PR06.08E.html
Le 7 août 2008, le CERN a annoncé que le premier essai de mise en circulation des faisceaux aura lieu le 10 septembre. La nouvelle est annoncée alors que la phase de refroidissement du nouvel accélérateur de particules arrive à son terme.
La prochaine étape est la synchronisation du LHC avec l’accélérateur SPS, qui forme le dernier maillon de la chaîne d’injection dans le LHC. Un premier essai de synchronisation est prévu le 9 août pour le faisceau circulant en sens horaire dans le LHC ; le deuxième aura lieu dans les semaines suivantes.
Une fois la circulation de faisceaux stables établie, les faisceaux seront mis en collision. La dernière étape consistera à mettre en service le système d’accélération du LHC pour atteindre 5TeV, qui est l’énergie de faisceau prévue pour 2008.
« Nous achevons un marathon sur un sprint, a déclaré Lyn Evans, chef du projet LHC. La course a été longue, et nous sommes tous impatients de commencer le programme de recherche du LHC. »
Pour tout renseignement complémentaire, veuillez consulter le communiqué de presse à l’adresse suivante:http://press.web.cern.ch/press/PressReleases/Releases2008/PR06.08F.html

Invisibility cloak on the new horizon

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Harry Potter eat your heart out. UK and US researchers have been beavering away on creating an invisibility cloak so that we too can sneak around the gloomy halls of draughty wizards’ schools.
In fact, as long as you are just 5in tall and the person looking for you is using microwaves, you should be fine. Still, it’s a first step. The mini-cloak uses metamaterials – artificial materials – and a series copper rings. Recent tests showed how the waves could be bent around the object, concealing it’s presence. In an interview with The Times, Prof David Smith said:“Our cloak allows a concealed volume, plus the cloak, to appear to have properties similar to free space when viewed externally,” Professor David Smith, of Duke University, said. “The cloak deflects microwave beams so they flow around a ‘hidden’ object, making it appear almost as if nothing were there at all. The waves’ movement is similar to river water flowing around a smooth rock.”
Not much will happen soon but in five years time they claim they’ll be able to hide a tank. All you pervs dreaming about sneaking into the girl’s shower room can just forget it, and get back to work.- Martin Lynch

Scientists say they are a step closer to developing materials that will render people and other objects invisible.
Researchers say they can redirect light around 3D objects using metamaterials--artificially engineered structures created at a nano scale that contain optical properties not found in nature, according to an Associated Press report.
People see objects as a result of the light reflecting or scattering off them. This new mixture of materials has "negative refractive" properties that keep light from being absorbed or reflected by the object, allowing only the light from behind the object to be seen. Essentially, the material bends visible light in a way that eliminates the creation of reflections or shadows in much the way water flows around a stone.
The findings, to be released later this week in Nature and Science, were made by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Xiang Zhang. The research, which was funded in part by the U.S. Army Research Office and the National Science Foundation's Nano-Scale Science and Engineering Center, could have broad applications, including for the military.
But the materials work in limited wavelengths, so they won't be used to hide buildings from satellites, said Jason Valentine, who is a co-author of one of the papers.
"We are not actually cloaking anything," Valentine told Reuters. While the Harry Potter series of books and films has made the idea of a personal "invisibility cloak" popular, he says, "I don't think we have to worry about invisible people walking around any time soon. To be honest, we are just at the beginning of doing anything like that."

Android Coming to T-Mobile

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Despite multiple reports of delays and a possible merger with Symbian, a handset with Google's Android operating system is expected to debut for T-Mobile as early as October.
The first Android-powered smartphone will be manufactured by High Tech Computer, and will have a large touch screen that slides out to reveal a five-row QWERTY keyboard. The device, which has been dubbed "Dream," will be released as soon as it passes FCC certification, according to a report from the The New York Times.

Since Google first announced the mobile operating system last November, the search company has maintained a fourth quarter 2008 time frame. Google also helped form a consortium known as the Open Handset Alliance with the goal of creating an open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices.
The Android platform will also allow Google to expand its successful advertising business into the increasingly lucrative mobile market. But time to market may be an important factor for Android as it will face multiple challenges to displace existing players.
One problem may be getting Android in front of customers, as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the two largest U.S. wireless carriers, have not agreed to have Android-powered devices on its networks. Sprint Nextel, the third-largest carrier, will have handsets with Google's OS, but has not revealed when a device would be available.
Additionally, the Android platform will be geared specifically toward the consumer market. While this gives it a broad customer base, leaving the lucrative enterprise market to the likes of Symbian, Research in Motion, and Windows Mobile could be a mistake. Even Apple made steps to ensure that its consumer-friendly iPhone would be compatible with corporate networks.
Representatives from T-Mobile and HTC did not specify when a device would be available, but they maintained that an Android-powered phone was on track for the fourth quarter.

Anoter eye

T-Mobile will be the first carrier to offer a mobile phone powered by Google’s Android software, according to people briefed on the company’s plans. The phone will be made by HTC, one of the largest makers of mobile phones in the world, and is expected to go on sale in the United States before Christmas, perhaps as early as October.
The high-end phone is expected to match many of the capabilities of Apple’s iPhone and other so-called smartphones that run software from Palm, Research in Motion, Microsoft and Nokia to access the Internet and perform computerlike functions.
The HTC phone, which many gadget sites are calling the “dream,” will have a touch screen, like the iPhone. But the screen also slides out to expose a full five-row keyboard. A video of the phone has been posted recently on YouTube. A person who has seen the HTC device said it matched the one in the video.
The phone’s release date depends on how soon the Federal Communications Commission certifies that the Google software and the HTC phone meet network standards. Executives at all three companies are hoping to announce the phone in September because they would benefit from holiday season sales. The people briefed on the discussions declined to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the project.
Earlier this week, HTC denied a report claiming it will be forced to delay its Android handset. Late last year, Google introduced its highly anticipated Android software for mobile devices, in a move it promised could help the mobile phone industry make the Internet work as easily on phones as it already does on computers.
I still believe that seeing is believing and we will have to wait until we actually see Android in people’s hands before we can call it “real”. Is anyone out there excited about Android? Will it be a success? Will it have flaws? Thoughts?