The Navy uses Nanophase's aluminum and titanium oxides to recondition worn steering mechanisms in submarines.

FORBES: The science of small

Having repeated the same trick with 30 different sets of three elements, Dr van Dover and his team have found a mixture of zirconium, titanium and tin oxides that may, with more work, fit the bill.

ECONOMIST: Combinatorial chemistry

The first they dealt with by coating the top of the device with oxides of hafnium, molybdenum and titanium, in layers about 100 nanometres thick.

ECONOMIST: Solar power

They have worked with oxides of iron, aluminium, zirconium, titanium and copper.

ECONOMIST: Bunker-busting