The title is a Bob Dylan song.  But in this case we are talking about renewal energy and generating electricity by harnessing the wind.  Nanotechnology c

Wind turbine

an be used to create new materials with amazing functions.  Wind turbines are a fairly common sight these days, enormously wind mills with blades that turn slowly in the wind.  These blades need to be light and strong.  Light because the lighter the blade the less wind power it takes to move it.  Strong because it needs to work a long time and a wind turbine might face strong winds.   Cost is also a factor how much the materials cost and how durable the wind turbines.

Enter nanotechnology.  Not only can nanotechnology be used to create the next-generation of wind turbines but also help to produce coatings that reduce drag and make the blades move through the air more efficiently.  One area of focus is in direct drive wind turbines which eliminate the need for a gear box.  Gear boxes are needed to match the rotation speed of the blades with the electrical generator.  Nanotechnology will also impact the development of new sensors to monitor the energy being generated by the wind turbine.

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