Published in AustralianIT, September 2 2003

NANOTECHNOLOGY is now so mainstream it has its own television drama.

Later this month, US viewers will be treated to Jake 2.0, the story of Jake Foley, a computer technician who becomes a secret agent after being infected with nanites and gaining nanotechnology-based powers.

These include "possessing superhuman strength, lightning-fast speed, heightened hearing, magnified vision and the telepathic abilities to communicate with computers".

However, the real measure of nanotechnology's acceptance won't be a poorly premised sci-fi drama on a minor US network. It will be when the technology is applied to solving common problems around the home.

After all, the need for carpet that doesn't show wine stains is rather more pressing than the need to communicate telepathically with your PC (which would probably respond `1-0-1-0' anyway). In the strictest sense, nanotechnology involves the construction of materials at molecular level. In practice, many of the projects currently branded as nanotechnology involve manipulation on a somewhat larger scale than this, since manipulating individual molecules is incredibly time-consuming and expensive.

Alterations to the overall molecular structure of individual materials are somewhat easier.

One of the most visible uses of nanotechnology research to meet domestic needs is ongoing Nanohouse research being jointly conducted by the University of Technology Sydney's Institute for Nanoscale Technology and the CSIRO.

The Nanohouse will exist both in physical form (a national tour is being discussed) and in virtual form on the internet. Corporate participants in the project include Silicon Graphics. The University of Western Sydney and University of New South Wales are also involved.

Products contemplated for the Nanohouse project, aimed at reducing household energy consumption by 50 per cent, include films for reducing the amount of light entering a house without reducing visibility, and dark-coloured paints that can reflect heat.

Other options being considered include the aforementioned stain-free carpets, and food containers with optical properties to slow deterioration of their contents.

While original research is being carried out for the Nanohouse, many of the products it will showcase are already widely available, or will be in the near future.

For instance, research company Nanosys and Matsushita Electric last year launched a partnership to develop nanotechnology-based solar cells for sale in Asia (which has better exposure to sun than many northern hemisphere locations).

If you're of a more nervous disposition, another potential application for nanotechnology is to clean objects around the home after a chemical or biological warfare attack.

All-Clear Chem/Bio Decon Foam, a non-toxic foam used to eliminate attacks by nasties such as anthrax or saran gas, was developed by applied nanotechnology company US Global Nanospace and development firm Tiax.

While few home-owners will go as far as purchasing their own barrel of All-Clear, the military world is likely to be a source of useful nanotechnology products for the home.

Projects currently being researched by the US Institute of Soldier Nanotechnologies include outfits that can change colour on command -- useful for camouflage and for making sure the curtains match the lounge -- and fabrics that automatically administer medicines (handy in remote locations and with recalcitrant children).