Nanotechnology in Indian Cosmetics

Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) are the next thing in nanotechnology and are one of the most seriously considered options for implementing the next generation high density memories and processors. They also have a host of applications ranging from computer engineering to biotechnology. The plant to manufacture CNTs even on an experimental basis costs more than USD 20,000 and the process does not have a very high yield.

What will you think if I say that the fashion world is using these CNTs in - get this - Cosmetics? And the country which is doing this is India. You think - has fashion become such a major force in India - well get this - women have been using this for centuries!

Now that I have (hopefully) heightened the expectation let me explain. Dr. Sabyasachi Sarkar from IIT K, has discovered the existence of CNTs in Kaajal, the Indian equivalent of Kohl - obtained by burning oil in a lamp and scraping and using the deposited soot. Apparently 40% of these CNTs can be extracted without any fancy equipment. Agreed that this method may not be useful for building CNTs of specified geometry, still the CNTS form Kohl can be used for a few applications.

Surprising! Read more about it here.