Dust isn't all that harmless. Not only at home, which can cause allergies, asthma and even computer breakdown. Industrial dust is most dangerous: it is life threatening
The first explosion of flour dust occurred in 1785. This became the cause of accidents that befell dozens of workers. There were many such incidents. The latter occurred in 2008 at a plant in Portworth, Georgia. Sugar dust exploded there, killing 13 people and injuring 42.
Despite modern technologies, small particles of various materials still pose a constant threat to human life. So, recently, American scientists have discovered that dust during industrial processing of nanomaterials causes a high risk of explosion. The study, published in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, shows that nanomaterial dust can explode from a spark as small as 1/30 of the spark needed to ignite sugar dust.
Nanodust is much finer than flour, coal or starch dust, and therefore is capable of igniting even from the slightest spark. That is why scientists decided to investigate the explosiveness of three types of "unconventional" dust: nanomaterials, hybrid mixtures of dust and combustible gases or vapors, flocculants - fibers or flakes that are formed during the production of, for example, floor coverings.
Research shows that metal nanomaterials such as aluminum nanopowder require an energy of less than 1 mJ to ignite. This is only 1/30 of the energy required to ignite sugar dust and 1/60 of the energy required to ignite wheat dust.
When doing so, flocculants often generate static electricity, which causes the flocculent dust to explode spontaneously. If you add flammable gases or vapors of flammable liquids to the dust, the likelihood of fire increases significantly. The researchers warn that the strictest precautions are needed to prevent the explosion of nanomaterials: no sparks and a minimum of friction, which causes discharges of static electricity.
FANTASTIC PREDICTION
Scientists from the military agency DARPA have set about improving the so-called "smart dust" (smart dust). Its essence is to scatter thousands of tiny sensors-radio transmitters from planes over the combat zone, which, unnoticed by the enemy, will track all his movements and actions.
Promotional video:
As in the novel "Invincible" by the famous science fiction writer Stanislav Lem, where the formidable weapon of the future was not bulky space cruisers or tanks, but microscopic particles of metal. Separately, they were harmless dust, but, united in clouds, they turned into powerful weapons. And only now, thanks to nanotechnology, science fiction predictions become a reality.
In addition, for several years in the United States, the world's only Institute of Nanotechnology for Soldiers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a temple of science of world importance, has been operating. The entire American nano-elite works for the military. And lately she has been busy improving the design of killer nanorobots.
New mechanisms will be able to mechanically destroy individual cells of vital organs in the victim's body with the help of their manipulators, thereby causing death, which will look ordinary - from an asthma attack or sudden cardiac arrest. Moreover, it is possible to kill in this way not only an individual person, but also an entire city, factory, army. Thousands of nanoshots launched into the air can stick around the face, eyes, block arms or legs.
Other killer nanorobots being created today may resemble mosquitoes. But really - to be microscopic devices with poison. Once inside the body, the killer mosquito waits for a signal that can be sent by radio or satellite. And having received it, he opens a capsule with poison. Experts have calculated that 50 billion “mosquitoes” are enough to kill all people on Earth. And this amount can be stored in one container.
These bloodthirsty "insects" and a whole army of invisible killers are being made by the Pentagon today. China, Israel, South Korea, Australia are catching up with the USA.