Nanotechnology inventory grows larger

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies says there are now more than 580 nano-products available to consumers -- most of them distinctly "un-geeky."

Project officials at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington said an updated inventory released this week includes Head NanoTitanium Tennis Racquets, Eddie Bauer Water Shorts with Nano-Dry technology, Nano-In Foot Deodorant Powder/Spray, and Burt's Bees sunscreen with "natural Titanium Dioxide mineral … micronized into nano-sized particles."

Since the world's first online inventory of manufacturer-identified nanotech goods was established in March 2006, the number of items has increased from 220 to 580.

"The use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in consumer products and industrial applications is growing rapidly, and the products listed in the inventory are just the tip of the iceberg," project science adviser Andrew Maynard said. "How consumers respond to these early products … will be a bellwether for broader market acceptance of nanotechnologies in the future.

"This is especially true," he added, "given that the Project's recent poll shows 70 percent of the public still knows little or nothing about the technology."

The updated inventory is available at www.nanotechproject.org/consumerproducts.