The UK engine oil specialist originally created its patented Nanodrive technology for use in motorsport. In 2009 it beat off competition from McClaren and Williams to win the World Motorsport Symposium Most Innovative Product Award.
The move into industrial applications was prompted by a desire within manufacturing and engineering to reduce cost through reduced fuel consumption, according to Millers Oils technical director Martyn Mann.
“There is a longstanding product development path that leads straight from motorsport into industry and we believe that nanotechnology can make a similar leap,” he said.
“I can confirm that it is our intention to launch a Nanodrive-type product into industry in the near future once suitable real-world testing has taken place.”
Mann claimed that initial tests have shown a 30-50% improvement on component wear. He believes that an overall efficiency gain of 10% is achievable. But he warned that tests are ongoing, so this cannot yet be confirmed.
Nanotechnology works by using nanoparticles, which act like millions of ball bearings, smoothing out the surface roughness of metal parts used in machine components, in turn reducing friction which has a detrimental effect on machine life and productivity.
