vocabularies - Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the branch of science and engineering that involves the design, production, and application of materials and devices at the nanoscale. This scale is typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. To put this in perspective, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, which is incredibly small. Nanotechnology has broad and diverse applications, including in medicine, electronics, and materials science.

What are Nanomaterials?

Nanomaterials refer to materials with structural components smaller than 100 nanometers. These materials can exhibit unique physical and chemical properties due to their size. Examples include graphene, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes.

What are Quantum Dots?

Quantum dots are semiconductor particles a few nanometers in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ significantly from larger particles. Their small size causes quantum mechanical effects, leading to unique properties such as size-tunable light emission. These are used in various applications, including display technologies and medical imaging.

What is Nanoscale?

The term nanoscale refers to dimensions typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials can exhibit different properties compared to their bulk counterparts, such as changes in optical, electrical, and mechanical behavior.

What is a Nanocomposite?

A nanocomposite is a multi-phase material wherein one of the phases has one, two, or three dimensions of less than 100 nanometers. The incorporation of nanoparticles into a matrix material can significantly enhance the properties of the composite, such as increased strength, elasticity, or electrical conductivity.

What is Nanoscale Fabrication?

Nanoscale fabrication involves techniques to create structures and devices on a nanometer scale. This includes methods like lithography, self-assembly, and etching techniques. These methods are crucial for the development of nanoscale electronics and other advanced technologies.

What are Nanorobots?

Nanorobots are tiny robots designed to perform specific tasks at the nanoscale. These could be used in a variety of applications, such as targeted drug delivery systems in medicine, where they can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells, minimizing side effects.

What is Nanoelectronics?

Nanoelectronics refers to the use of nanotechnology in electronic components. These components are so small that quantum mechanical effects become significant. Applications include quantum computing, nanoscale transistors, and nano-scale sensors.

What are Nanomedicines?

Nanomedicine is the application of nanotechnology in the field of medicine. This can include targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics. The use of nanomedicine aims to improve the efficacy and safety of treatments.