3rd Summary- Nanotechnology and Electron Microscopy Dr. Wilfredo Otaño February 7, 2014

Nanotechnology, the production of functional systems by manipulating nanostructures, helps us

understand the fundamental chemistry, biology, physics and technology of nano-scaled objects. It is

being applied in the fields of medicine, computing, and manufacturing. Nanoparticles are being used

and investigated because they provide a high surface to volume ratio, have an efficient dispersibility and

don’t have internal diffusional limitations. Electrospinning is a procedure to deposit materials at the

nanoscale level, which purpose is used for photonics, wound healing, tissue manufacturing, among

others. The objective of this technique is to produce a thin elongated line of nanofibers by creating an

electrical field between a polymer solution and a collector surface. The drop of polymer moves toward

the collector due to high electrostatic, evaporating the solvent and producing a thin elongated line of

nanofibers, which can be observed through a Scanning Electron Microscope. Another technique in which

substrates are placed into a chamber that lowers pressure is sputtering, which purpose is to study space

weather, be used in etching anisotropy, be used in secondary ion mass spectrometry to obtain the

composition of a target material, among others. The purpose of this technique is to produce

nanoparticles by applying a negative charge to the target material creating a gaseous substance and

positive charged ions attract to the negatively charged target. This impact produces nanoparticles from

the target, which are then deposited onto the substrates as a thin layer. Implants containing

nanostructures that promote acceptance from the surrounding area cells is an example applying

nanotechnology in medicine. In the future, nanotechnology could play a key role in assisting of the

formation of molecular systems equivalent to living systems that make up an organism, which can be

replaced for non-functional organs or body parts.