It was spring cleaning time once again when the rains stopped this year, and the pressure washers and ladders brought out to clean the accumulated grime and filth off houses, buildings, tourist facilities, and generally everything else.

This is something that happens every year and is considered a normal but expensive part of maintenance. Then, because the combined effects of sun, mildew and fungus growths, and the high pressure water make the paint chip and peel, these same structures, especially in the beach tourist areas, need to be re-painted every two to five years to keep them attractive.

But now, thanks to the miracle of nanotechnology it doesn’t have to be that way. No more pressure washer and the time between paintings can be doubled or even tripled, saving thousands of dollars.

Nanotechnology is still a strange concept for many persons, but basically it is a small solution for big problems. It is small in that it works on the sub-molecular and atomic level, mixing and combining different types of atoms and molecules to create new materials with astonishing properties. For example, do you think you could jump into a swimming pool without getting wet? Think Again! If you were first sprayed with a nano coating, you would not only be waterproof, but your body would actually be super-hydrophobic, in that it would literally throw the water off you and you would emerge from the pool without so much as a drop of water on you.

Ever get tired of cleaning your shoes? Watch this!

With nanotechnology it is now possible to make clothes that repel water and stains, and are softer, stretch more, warm better, kill all bacteria and odors, and never need washing. They can even be made to generate electricity for you!

But nanotechnology is not limited to just coatings and clothes. It is currently being applied to virtually everything from medicine to cars, to miniaturization of an incredible range of devices such as a tiny drone. Indeed, in the years to come, nanotechnology will undoubtedly prove to be the single most important emerging technology the world has ever known.

Costa Rica has not been slow to recognize the importance of nanotechnology; on the contrary, the country is recognized as a leading pioneer. Our Center for Advanced Technology, CENAT, in 2004 inaugurated LANOTEC, (the national Laboratory for Nanotechnology, Microsensors and Advanced Materials) that is doing important work in the research, design, and fabrication of micro-sensors and nanotubes. Presently there are many different cutting-edge research projects in several of our universities.

Apart from research, through the efforts of business entrepreneur Wayne Byrd, nanotechnology is being applied all over Costa Rica. About three years ago, Wayne established the highly successful enterprise “We Kill Mold CR, SA” that provides nanotechnology products and services to sanitize and protect hospitals, hotels, businesses, homes, cars and boats from germs, grime, obnoxious odors, mildew, and molds. The products they use have been available for over 10 years, and are used in more than a hundred countries and with hundreds of thousands of applications.

Interior Mold Control Process

The process begins by closing off the area and bringing in specially designed electronic equipment to “shock treat” and kill all existing mold, germs, bacteria, and viruses. During this time the areas must be vacant until the process is complete.

Next, a nanotech coating is applied to all surfaces, using a very light “fog” application. It is not a poison but rather a mechanical cell killer. It does not wear out, and can even outlast the surfaces it was applied to. Everything is fog treated — the top and bottom of all furnishings, mattresses, under cabinets, every cranny and nook. This prevents any mold or other microbiological cells from having the opportunity to re-infest.

Homes that are left empty and closed for any period of time usually turns into a “Petri dish” for mold spores, for such conditions are ideal for mold to develop and grow.

Knowing that it is better to prevent than treat, Wayne and his people at We Kill Mold CR have a monthly service program that includes the Perfect Air 5000 machine and a complete home inspection every 30 days. There is a 100% guarantee there will be no mold and the house will smell like new. This is very popular with home owners, property management services and hotels.

Exterior Mold Removal and Control

This is 100% necessary for uncompleted buildings that have been standing for long periods of time and for homes that have been open during construction for months. If these buildings are closed in without completing a mold removal process they will become mold incubators, and the areas will develop a “wet wool” smell and visible mold colonies seen as dark spots. They emit gases (a process called ‘aerosolizing’) and these gases are toxic, causing allergic reactions, asthma, headaches, and worse. They can be life threatening.

For external areas, (walls, sidewalks, building faces, etc.) the first step is to thoroughly wash and scrub the areas. Next, the nanotech coating is applied to all these surfaces to kill every mold and any root system. Then the area is again washed and scrubbed, followed by the application of another kind of nano coating, and the area is ready to paint or re-stucco. In the case of painting, there is a special nano-paint that forms an impenetrable moisture and air barrier. The final step is a self-cleaning nano coating that assures no grime buildup.

Special Note: Many floors and walkways here in Costa Rica – especially the ceramic and porcelain tiles, can be as slippery as greased glass when they are wet. Wayne has a nano treatment that makes these surfaces “slip-proof” for years. He says customers are absolutely amazed after a demonstration.

Presently, all of Wayne’s products and services are in high demand, especially in the tourist beach areas because of the wet and corrosive conditions there, together with the need to keep tourist facilities in tip-top condition.

Considering the high costs of maintaining houses, building, hospitals and clinics, boats, cars, and everything else, many persons are able to realize huge savings by using these nanotechnology coatings.

So far Wayne is the sole provider of this technology in Costa Rica, and his enterprises have steadily grown over the years. In fact, the future of such technologies is so auspicious that Wayne’s next step will be to develop regional franchises operations around Costa Rica in order to meet the expected demand. Contact him here to get involved for yourself or to ask any questions.

Nanotechnology image (at top) was used with permission of Mark Sims at www.nanorex.com.