Nanotechnology: Big Things From A Tiny World

NanotechnologyBig Things from a Tiny WorldThink small. Think really, really small—smaller than anything youever saw through a conventional microscope at school.Think atoms and molecules, and now you’re there.You’re down at the nanoscale, where scientists are learningabout these fundamental components of matter and are puttingthem to use in beneficial ways.Working at the nanoscale, scientists are creating new tools,products, and technologies to address some of the world’sbiggest challenges, including: smaller, faster, more portable electronics with larger datastorage capacity.medical devices and drugs to detect and treat diseasesmore effectively with fewer side effects.low-cost filters to provide clean drinking water.stronger, lighter, more durable materials.techniques to clean up hazardous chemicals in theenvironment.sensors to detect and identify harmful chemical orbiological agents.Pexels.com

What is Nano?So what is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology is science, engineering, andtechnology at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnologyis the study and application of extremely small things and is used across all otherscience fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering.What’s so special about the nanoscale? The short answer is that materials can havedifferent properties at the nanoscale—some are better at conducting electricity orheat, some are stronger, some have different magnetic properties, and some reflectlight better or change colors depending on their size.Nanoscale materials also have far larger surface areas than similar volumes oflarger-scale materials, meaning that more surface is available for interactions withother materials around them, making nanomaterials ideal for many applications thatrequire high surface area, such as batteries.If you have block of a material, only its surface will interactwith its surroundings. If more surface is exposed, thenmore of the material is available for a reaction. Cuttingup that block of material will increase its surfacearea while keeping the total amount of material thesame. For example, you don’t just swallow a piece ofchocolate: you chew it up so it can interact with moreof your taste buds.mImagine putting a block of chocolate in your mouth. Ithas a surface area of about 25.7 cm2. If you bite it in half,you increase the amount of chocolate you can taste to 30.8 cm2,about half the area of a Post-it note. Bite each of those pieces in half and now you’vegot 41.5 cm2 of chocolate to enjoy. If you keep chewing until you have 1 nanometersized cubes of chocolate, you’d have a surface area equal to almost 10 football fields(but still just the calories from one piece!).1.3 cms.co1.3 cmPexel2.3cmmc3.2One piece of chocolate:25.7 cm2 of surface area50 calories2.3cmm.6 c1.6cm1Bite it in half:30.8 cm2 of surface area,about half a Post-it 50 caloriesBreak it down to 1 nm cubes:510,000,000 cm2 of surface area,about 10 football fields50 calories

Visualizing the NanoscaleJust how small is “nano?” In the International System of Units,the prefix “nano” means one-billionth, or 10-9; so one nanometeris one-billionth of a meter. It’s difficult to imagine just how smallthat is, so here are some examples: A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.A strand of hair is 80,000 –100,000 nanometers in diameter.There are 25,400,000 nanometers per inch.Your fingernails grow about one nanometerper second!If a buckyball were as big as asoftball, a softball would be asbig as the Earth. (A buckyball isa buckminsterfullerene moleculewith 60 carbon atoms arrangedin a sphere, with a diameter of 1.1nanometers.)Pexels.comResearcher holding nano-coated glass.Adobe Stock

BiomimicryBiomimicry is the design and production of materials and structuresthat are inspired by naturally occurring materials and processes.Nanoscale materials are common in nature. From the molecular machinesthat translate DNA into proteins to the structures that keep leaves cleanand bacteria off insect wings, nature operates at the nanoscale. Our bodiesuse natural nanoscale materials, such as proteins and other molecules, tofunction.In fact, many important functions of living organisms take placeat the nanoscale; the diameter of double-stranded DNA is just 2.5nanometers. Researchers have copied the nanostructure of lotus leavesto create water-repellent surfaces. Today, these coatings are used to makestain-proof clothing and anti-icing coatings for airplane wings and windturbines. Scientists are also creating antimicrobial surfaces that mimic thenanoscale structures on cicada wings.Scientists are improving solar cells by addingnanoscale texture that traps light so less is reflectedaway, allowing more to be converted into usableenergy. This was inspired by moth eyes that reflect verylittle light, allowing them to see in the dark.Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory.The gecko’s ability to climb has inspired researchers to develop gloves withnanoscale features like the ones on a gecko’s foot. These gloves enable aperson to climb a wall of glass. Nanoscale structures can control how lightis reflected and create the vibrant blue of butterfly wings and peacockfeathers. This structural color maybe the key to creating camouflage oreven an invisibility cloak that bendslight, hiding whatever is behind it.

What distinguishes nanotechnology from nature’s use of thenanoscale? Thanks to the development of high-powered microscopesIowa State Universityand precision instruments, scientists and engineers can manipulate andcontrol nanoscale materials in a purposeful way.Engineers have made wearable sensors for plants, enabling measurements ofwater use in crops.Adobe Stock

Nanotechnology ApplNanomedicineNanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine,enables precise solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, andtreatment. This includes new imaging tools like improved MRIs; labon-a-chip technologies for rapid testing in a doctor’s office; novelgene sequencing technologies; nanoparticles that can help delivermedication directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthytissue; and graphene nanoribbons to help repair spinal cord injuries.U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsJ. Rogers, University of IllinoisWearable SensorsScientists are developing smaller and more affordable sensorsthat can be worn on the body to detect disease or to monitorphysiological functions such as temperature or heartbeat. Forexample, nanomaterials are being used to make flexible, stretchablesubstrates that conform to the body, allowing doctors to remotelymonitor your health and vital signs. Coaches and trainers could usethese sensors to monitor athletes to help them reach their peakperformance.Environmental Monitoring and CleanupNanotechnology-enabled sensors and solutions are now able todetect and identify chemical or biological agents in the air, water,and soil with much higher sensitivity than ever before. A smartphoneextension has been developed to help firefighters monitor air qualityaround fires. Researchers have also tested a reusable carbon nanotubesponge for cleaning up oil that can absorb up to 100 times its weight.freeimage.comClean Drinking WaterNanotechnology is providing solutions to help meet the need forclean, affordable drinking water. Nanotechnology-enabled filtersprovide rapid, low-cost removal of impurities in water. Engineershave developed a thin-film membrane with nanopores for energyefficient desalination, turning salt water into drinkable water.Nanocoatings that can be used to prevent organisms from growingon membranes and other surfaces are also being used.Bio/Nano Tech Group, Univ. of ArkansasFlexible ElectronicsFlexible, bendable, foldable, rollable, and stretchable electronics arebeing integrated into a variety of applications in medicine, athletics,aerospace, and the Internet of Things. Future potential uses includetablet computers that can roll up to fit in your pocket or clothing andappliances with built-in, flexible displays.NanosysEnergy OperationsOil companies have developed novel methods for usingnanomaterials to refine crude oil into high-value products.Nanomaterials are also reducing cost and improving productionlevels. Scientists have developed sensors that can quickly detectpipeline leaks for faster repairs and less waste.freeimage.com

lications and ProductsConsumer ElectronicsTransistors, the basic switches that enable computing, have gottensmaller and smaller with nanotechnology. Smaller, faster, and bettertransistors brought about smartphones, wearables, and many otherdevices we use every day. Novel nanoscale electronic devices maysoon help achieve quantum computers, or an entirely new typeof supercomputer that can learn and solve problems like a humanbrain.IBMInfrastructureEmbedded nanoscale sensors and devices may provide costeffective continuous monitoring of the structural integrity andperformance of bridges, tunnels, railways, parking structures,and pavement over time. Corrosion-resistant, self-healingnano-enabled paints can help bridges and concrete last longer.Nanocoatings could be used to increase the life span of water andsewer pipes.freeimage.comTransportationCars have nano-enabled stronger body parts, stain-resistantsurfaces, rechargeable batteries, materials for temperaturecontrol, better tires, high-efficiency sensors and electronics, andcomponents for cleaner exhaust and extended range.freeimage.comNanofilms and CoatingsClear nanoscale films on displays, windows, and other surfaces canmake them water-repellent, antireflective, self-cleaning, resistantto ultraviolet or infrared light, anti-fogging, antimicrobial, scratchresistant, or electrically conductive. Antibacterial coatings arebeing developed for use in hospitals. Superhydrophobic coatingsmake smartphones waterproof. Paints use nanoscale materials toresist marks and scuffs.Adobe StockNano-Enabled ClothingStain-resistant pants, shirts, ties, and more are now widely availablefor purchase. There are also nano-enabled uniforms that are notonly stain- and dirt-resistant, but protect against chemicals andgerms.U.S. ArmyFood SafetyNanosensors in food packaging can measure pathogens and othercontaminants in food, indicating if it is safe to eat. Similarly, asensor has been developed to tell you when a pear is ripe. Nanoenabled packaging protects food from moisture and better trapsin carbonation. Scientists have also developed sensors to measurepesticide levels in the field, allowing farmers to use less while stillprotecting their plants.freeimage.com