Guest blogger: Margaret Blohm talks nanotech

Hello, guest blogger Margaret Blohm here. I’m an Advanced Nanotechnology Program Leader for GE Global Research. Nanotechnology represents one of the key fields where GE is placing some of its biggest technology bets. We’re excited about nano because of all the “material possibilities.” Quite simply, we’re discovering new material properties at the nanoscale that are not only causing us to rethink some laws of physics, but opening our eyes to many new capabilities that we didn’t know materials like metals and ceramics had.

Today, we have a team of 150 scientists and engineers working on various nano endeavors for initiatives that span across our company. For example, we’re looking at nanoparticles to increase the image quality and contrast in GE Healthcare’s medical imaging systems. We’re studying superhydrophobic nano textures and surfaces to see how they can add value to GE Energy’s turbine products and GE Aviation’s aircraft engines.

Our team has filed 125 patents since 2002. And of course, in the field of nanotechnology, we read about exciting breakthroughs every day. Aside from working with exciting, cutting-edge technology, perhaps the greatest satisfaction I get coming to work is the opportunity to work with some of the world’s best and brightest people in science and engineering here at GE research labs.

I’d like to close by highlighting just one of the technologists who help our team redefine what’s possible. Mano Manoharan is a senior engineer on my team who has done pioneering work in the field of nanoceramics for GE. Perhaps even more significantly, his studies in nanomanufacturing have been broadly recognized and more importantly, are helping to write the next chapter in translating nanotechnology research into nano-enabled products. He recently was recognized by the National Academy of Engineering for a top award in nanoscale research. Congratulations Mano!

Well, that wraps it up for me. Until next time…

Margaret

* Watch Margaret talk about “Nanotechnology 101” on the GE Reports YouTube channel.