Nanotechnology strengthens materials through several mechanisms:
Nanoparticles: Adding nanoparticles such as silica or carbon nanotubes to materials can enhance their strength by filling in gaps and cracks at the nanoscale, preventing the propagation of flaws. Nanocomposites: These are materials made by combining nanoparticles with a matrix material. The nanoparticles improve the overall mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and hardness, of the composite. Grain Boundary Strengthening: Reducing the grain size of metals to the nanoscale can increase their strength. This is known as the Hall-Petch effect, where smaller grains result in more grain boundaries that impede dislocation movement.
