Nanotech today is what's called a "push" technology-materials and technologies are developed in the lab and then brought to market through licensing and startups. New products, in other words, are pushed from the labs onto the market.

Now comes a new twist-a pull from a major manufacturer soliciting new materials from nanotech developers.

A beverage company has put out a call for a nanotechnology company to help it create functional packaging and a new gas release "widget", according to Food Production Daily.

One application involves packaging material with functional barrier properties.
The material would have specific properties related to selective gas transfer, the release of freshness compounds from the pack material and the stripping out of degradation compounds over time.

The material would also form a barrier to UV light and have anti-bacterial, acoustic and tactile properties. The material is described as "glass/metal-like plastic" in the project description issued by the UK Institute of Nanotechnology on behalf of the anonymous beverage company.

The drinks company wants functional benefits such as increased freshness and taste. The bottles would be lighter than glass and allow the company to sell bottles in drink segments where so far glass bottles can't be sold.

They also want a material that can be used as a "coating for whisky/ rum casks that decreases the 'angel's share' of product". The term refers to the loss through evaporation of alcohol stored in wooden casks.

The company is also looking for a collaborator to create "Nano-widgets". A widget is a capsule used in beer cans to release gas into the liquid, creating a foamy, carbonated drink.

Gas would be encapsulated within the nano widget. The external surface of widget would be engineered to provide a site for nucleation. A liquid or active agent could also be encapsulated within widget. The widget would work to prolong bubble release and would create "theatre effects" during consumption.

I've experienced many different effects during beer consumption, but "theatre effects" is a new one on me. If you're familiar with it, I welcome a comment.