technical jargon - Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation and control of matter at a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. It involves the design, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling shape and size at the nanometer scale.

What are Nanomaterials?

Nanomaterials are materials with at least one dimension less than 100 nanometers. They exhibit unique physical and chemical properties due to their high surface area to volume ratio and quantum effects. Examples include nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanowires.

What is a Quantum Dot?

A quantum dot is a nanoparticle that can confine electrons or holes in three dimensions in a small space, leading to discrete electronic states. This confinement results in unique optical and electronic properties, useful in applications like quantum computing and biomedical imaging.

What are Nanocomposites?

Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate nanoscale fillers into a matrix material to improve its properties. These fillers can include particles, fibers, or plates, and they can significantly enhance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and other properties.

What is Nanoelectronics?

Nanoelectronics is the use of nanotechnology in electronic components. It aims to create smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices. Examples include nanoscale transistors, quantum dots, and single-electron transistors.

What is a Nanofabrication?

Nanofabrication is the process of designing and creating devices with nanometer-scale features. Techniques include lithography, etching, and self-assembly. These methods are essential for producing nanoelectronics and other nanoscale devices.

What is a Nanosensor?

A nanosensor is a device that can detect and respond to physical, chemical, or biological stimuli at the nanoscale. They are highly sensitive and can be used in various applications, such as environmental monitoring, health diagnostics, and security.

What are Carbon Nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical molecules made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. They possess extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, making them useful in fields like electronics, materials science, and medicine.

What is a Surface Plasmon Resonance?

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a phenomenon that occurs when light causes electrons on the surface of a metal nanoparticle to oscillate. This property allows for highly sensitive detection methods in biosensing and chemical analysis.

What is a Self-Assembly in Nanotechnology?

Self-assembly is a process by which molecules spontaneously organize into structured arrangements without external guidance. This technique is crucial in creating complex nanostructures and is used in nanofabrication and the development of nanomaterials.

What is a Top-Down Approach?

The top-down approach in nanotechnology involves starting with larger structures and progressively miniaturizing them to the nanoscale. Techniques include lithography and etching. This method is often used in the manufacture of nanoelectronic devices.

What is a Bottom-Up Approach?

The bottom-up approach involves building nanoscale structures atom by atom or molecule by molecule. This method relies on principles like self-assembly and chemical synthesis and is used to create nanomaterials with precise control over their properties.