What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the field of science and engineering dedicated to the design, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling shape and size at the nanometer scale. This typically involves structures with dimensions of less than 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials often exhibit unique
properties that differ significantly from their bulk counterparts.
What is a Nanometer?
A nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter (10-9 meters). To put this in perspective, a human hair is approximately 80,000-100,000 nanometers wide. The nanoscale is the scale at which much of nanotechnology operates, allowing for the manipulation of atoms and molecules.
What are Nanomaterials?
Nanomaterials are materials that have at least one external dimension in the nanoscale (less than 100 nm). These materials can exhibit
unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties that make them valuable in a wide range of applications, from medicine to electronics to energy storage.
What is a Nanoparticle?
A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges between 1 to 100 nanometers in size. Nanoparticles can be made from a variety of materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers. They are used in a variety of
applications such as drug delivery, imaging, and as catalysts in chemical reactions.
What are Carbon Nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical nanostructures made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern. They have remarkable
mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, making them useful in various fields such as materials science, electronics, and nanomedicine.
What is a Quantum Dot?
A quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor particle that has quantum mechanical properties. Quantum dots can emit light of various colors when exposed to UV light, making them useful in applications such as
bioimaging, display technologies, and solar cells.
What is Nanoscale?
The nanoscale refers to dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, the properties of materials can change significantly, leading to phenomena such as quantum effects. Understanding and manipulating these properties is key to advancing nanotechnology.
What is Self-Assembly?
Self-assembly is a process by which molecules and particles spontaneously organize into stable, well-defined structures without human intervention. This process is driven by specific, local interactions among the components. Self-assembly is a critical concept in
nanofabrication and the creation of complex nanostructures.
What is a Nano-bio Interface?
The nano-bio interface refers to the interaction between nanomaterials and biological systems. This is a crucial area of research in
nanomedicine, where understanding these interactions can lead to the development of new diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, and therapeutic techniques.
What are the Applications of Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology has a wide range of applications across various fields. In
medicine, it is used for targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics. In electronics, it enables the development of smaller, faster, and more efficient components. Other applications include energy storage, environmental remediation, and the creation of new materials with enhanced properties.
What is Nanotoxicology?
Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. As nanotechnology advances, it is essential to understand the potential health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials. This field aims to assess the
safety and risks associated with exposure to nanomaterials, guiding the development of safe nanotechnology practices.
