hey can be harder than steel, lighter than air and around 50,000 times thinner than a hair. They protect cars from scratches, guard textiles against stains, and defend baths against dirt. Some people have never heard of them; others can no longer imagine life without them … nanoparticles.
   Imagine never again ruining a tie because of a red wine stain. Imagine umbrellas that repel water and therefore never have to "dry out" after they are used. Imagine bathtubs that never need scrubbing again. These are realities today in Saarland, Germany, where a number of nanotechnology companies have commercialized products in the marketplace.
   Located in the southwestern part of Germany on the French and Luxembourg borders, Saarland has built an excellent foundation for cooperation and networking among companies working in the field of nanotechnology. The state government is committed to attracting innovative companies and high-tech jobs and therefore offers financial incentive programs, a low cost structure, and turnkey assistance to such firms.
   Saarland's rising expertise in nanotechnology has allowed several companies to quickly approach the market with commercialized nanotechnology products. These organizations have focused their research and development efforts on creating products that address unmet consumer and business needs. Resulting products include "intelligent" materials that simplify systems or eliminate steps in production and coatings that improve the functionality of surface areas.
   In Saarland, Germany nanotechnology is no longer the technology of the future. It is the flourishing technology of today.