What’s new in nano
Every dated step in the nanotechnology we track, newest first. Each one says what happened, why it matters and how far it is from your life, with its source. New ones arrive every morning.
1 step
Jan 2024
- Nano urea
A two-year field experiment by Punjab Agricultural University found wheat yields 21.6% lower and rice yields 13% lower with nano urea than with ordinary nitrogen fertilizer, with less protein in the grain.
Approved or on sale
1 step
Aug 2022
- E171
The EU ban took full effect: food made or sold in the EU after August 7, 2022 cannot contain titanium dioxide.
Everyday life
1 step
Jan 2022
- E171
The EU withdrew titanium dioxide's approval as a food additive (Regulation 2022/63), with six months for food makers to phase it out.
Everyday life
1 step
June 2021
- Nano urea
IFFCO launched nano urea, priced 10% below an equivalent bag of ordinary urea, with mass production at its Kalol plant near Ahmedabad.
Approved or on sale
2 steps
May 2021
- E171
The EU's food safety agency found E171 widely eaten, mainly in baking ingredients, soups, sauces and sandwich spreads.
Everyday life - E171
The European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, because it could not rule out damage to DNA (genotoxicity) after the particles are eaten.
Everyday life