Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology is derived from the Greek word "NANO," meaning dwarf or small.
• 1 nanometer (nm) is equal to 10^(-9) meters, or one billionth of a meter.

Nanoscale

• The nanoscale is a range of dimensions that are measured in nanometers.
• Examples of nanoscale objects:
  • A sheet of paper is approximately 100,000 nm thick.
  • A strand of human DNA is about 2.5 nm in diameter.
  • 1 inch is equal to 25,400,000 nm.
  • A strand of human hair is between 80,000 - 100,000 nm thick.

Nanoscience

• Nanoscience is the study and application of structures and materials at the nanoscale level.
• It involves understanding the properties and phenomena of materials at the molecular level.
• Applications of nanoscience:
  • Strength
  • Weight/mass
  • Control of light spectrum
  • Chemical reactivity

Nanodevices

• A nanodevice is a device with at least one dimension in the nanoscale or comprising one or more nanoscale components.
• Examples of nanodevices:
  • Photonic, plasmonic, and metamaterial devices
  • Bio/chemical/nano sensing devices
  • Energy harvesting systems
  • Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
  • Microfluidics and Microsystems
  • Low-dimensional nanostructures
  • Topological insulator electric and photonic systems
  • Bioelectronics

Importance of Nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology aims to improve existing industrial processes, materials, and applications by scaling them down to the nanoscale.
• Benefits of nanotechnology:
  • Lighter
  • Stronger
  • Faster
  • Smaller
  • More durable
  • More efficient

Antecedents of Nanotechnology

• The concept of nanotechnology began with a talk by physicist Richard Feynman entitled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom."
• Feynman described a process for manipulating and controlling individual atoms and molecules.
• The development of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) in 1981 enabled the creation of nanoscale innovations.

Nanomaterials

• Nanomaterials are used to create innovative products, such as displays with better color and lower energy consumption.
• Examples of nanomaterials:
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Diamond
  • Quantum dots
  • Fullerenes
  • Graphite
  • Graphene
  • Graphene oxide
  • Dendrimers
  • Liposomes
  • DNA
  • Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
  • Silver
  • Iron Oxide (FeO2)

Nanosources

• Nanosources can be naturally occurring or incidental/anthropogenic.
• Examples of naturally occurring nanosources:
  • Volcanic ash
  • Forest fires
  • Ocean spray
  • Fine sand
  • Dust
• Examples of incidental/anthropogenic nanosources:
  • Produced as a consequence of human activities, such as combustion processes.