Nanotechnology is a topic that spans a field of science and engineering disciplines. It takes place at on a small scale – more significant than the level of atoms and molecules, but within the range of 1-100 nanometers.
The nanometer scale is concerning a billionth of a meter and something this small can behave quite weirdly. These unique physical and chemical properties come about because there is an increase in a surface area related to volume as particles get more modest and also because they are subject to quantum effects.
This means they can behave in many ways and do not follow the same laws of physics that larger objects do. For more data about quantum and particle physics, see the Nanotechnology Journal.
Some of the impacts of Nanotechnology are:
- Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products grow their absorption within the body and make them accessible to deliver, often through combination medical devices. Nanoparticles can also help to deliver chemotherapy drugs to specific cells, such as cancer cells.
- Nanoparticles or nanofibers in fabrics can improve water resistance, stain resistance, and flame resistance, without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric. For example, “nano-whiskers” on pants make them tight to water and stains.
- Faster, smaller, and more powerful computers that use far less power, with longer-lasting batteries. Circuits made from carbon nanotubes will be vital in managing the growth of computer power, allowing Moore’s Law to continue.
- It also accurate on medical diagnostic devices. Lab-on-a-chip technology allows point-of-care testing in real time, which speeds up the delivery of medical care. Nanomaterial surfaces on implants enhance wear and resist infection.
- Carbon nanotubes have a type of commercial uses, including making sports material stronger and lighter weight. For example, a tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes gives less during impact and increases the force and efficiency of the delivery. Nanoparticle-treated tennis balls can keep bouncing twice as long as regular tennis balls.
- Many drink bottles made from plastics that includes nanoclays, which increase stability to permeation by oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture. This improves retain carbonation and pressure and increases shelf life by several months.
- Most sunscreens today are produced from nanoparticles that effectively absorb light, that includes the more dangerous ultraviolet range. They also spread more quickly over the skin. These same nanoparticles are also utilized in food packaging to reduce UV exposure and prolong shelf life.
- Moreover, in this, a huge variety of chemical sensors can be added to detect a particular chemical at amazingly low levels, for example, a single molecule out of billions. This ability is ideal for surveillance and security systems at labs, industrial sites, and airports. On the medical front, nanosensors can also be utilized to identify particular cells or substances in the body accurately.
So why do nanoscale things work this way? The scale allows for unique communications among atoms and their constituent parts, and there are a few ways that this happens. For non-biological nanoparticles, it uses to think of a bowling ball, and where all its atoms are located. The huge majority are inside the ball, with a finite number at the surface, communicating with the air or the wooden lanes.
Particles inside the ball communicate with atoms just like themselves, but atoms at the surface communicate with ones very different than themselves, Mirkin explained. In this complete article, you had got some of the knowledge of how nanotechnology might impact clinical and Translational Science.