NANOSCIENCE

LESSON MADE BY: HASSAN & ADITYA

LO: To learn what Nanoscience is and what it can be used for as well as the properties of nanotechnology(in 10 minutes)

INTRODUCTION

Nanoscience is a pretty new, it was discovered nearly 4 decades ago, in those years scientists discovered many things about nanoscience yet they still have limited knowledge on it and have not yet uncovered its full potential. Nanoparticles are an important scientific breakthrough that has been and is being explored in various biotechnological, pharmacological and technological uses.

Definition: Nanoscience is the study of structures and materials on the scale of nanometers.

HOW SMALL IS A NANOMETRE?The size of a nanometre is hard to comprehend. Here is an explanation as simple as we could put itA nanometre, 1 nm, is one billionth of a metre (or a millionth of a millimetre). This can also be written as 10⁻⁹m.For a particle to be categorised as a nanoparticle it has to range from 1nm-100nm.As you can see and also probably guess, you cannot see a nanoparticle through a microscope as they are just way too small.

DISCOVERY OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

• After an experimental invention of a microscope that could be used to see at atomic levels met the newly discovered fullerene, nanotechnology was born in the 1980s.• Scientist found no use for nanotechnology until the early 2000s.• This subject started growing public awareness and controversy

in the early 2000s after governments started funding research into nanotechnology.

NANOMATERIALS

• Fullerenes •Nanoparticles•Nano enzymes

NANO ENZYMES

•Nano enzymes have enzyme-like characteristics. They are an emerging type of artificial enzyme, which have been used in bio imaging, tumour diagnosis and therapy and more.

NANOTUBES

• These are a carbon based nanomaterial with a hollow shape. The nanotube’s structure allows it to be used as a vessel for transporting a drug into the body. • Nanotubes have a massive surface area. Spreading a catalyst

on the surface of a nanotube provides a huge surface area where reactants can come into contact with the catalyst.

Structure of a Nanotube

PROPERTIES OF NANOPARTICLES

• Nanoparticles have a very large surface area compared with their volume, so they are often able to react very quickly. This is very useful because they can be used as catalysts to speed up reactions.• Absorption of solar radiation in photovoltaic cells is much

higher in nanoparticles because the particles are smaller, they absorb greater amount of solar radiation.

USES IN COSMETICS

• Nanoparticles are used in sunscreens because they offer protection and can be rubbed in so there are no white marks.• Some cosmetics contain 'liposomes', which are fatty

nanoparticles. Liposomes also have great potential in the pharmaceutical industry, as they can deliver tiny doses of medicines direct to cells.

USES IN ELECTRONICS

• Using Nanotechnology in Electronics mean that devices and components can become a lot smaller, thus reducing weight as well as power consumption.• Increasing the density of microchips by using nanotechnology

mean that they are also capable of more holding more data. • Researchers are developing a type of memory chip with an

estimated density of one terabyte of memory per square inch or greater.

USES IN SPORT

• They are used in sports equipment and they have been used in tennis rackets and shoes. Nanoparticles are added to materials to make them stronger whilst often being lighter.• Silver nanoparticles have been added to socks, this stops

them from absorbing the smell of sweaty feet, as the nanoparticles have antibacterial properties.

USES IN MEDICINE

• Nanotechnology offers some exciting uses in medicine. Many techniques are being tested but some are already in use.• One use of nanotechnology in medicine currently being

developed involves deploying nanoparticles inside the body to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific types of cells (such as cancer cells).• Other types of nanotechnology include: Nano sponges,

bismuth nanoparticles and Nano robots

Nano robots

WORRIES AND HARMFUL EFFECTS• Since the properties of a given nanoparticle are not easily predicted by

studying the substance from which it is made, there are worries that nanoparticles may have undiscovered side-effects.• Nanoparticles have a very large surface area compared to their volume, so

they are often able to react very quickly. However, there is also the possibility that they might speed up reactions in living things in unpredictable ways, and could cause illness or death.• There are some concerns that nanoparticles may be toxic to people. They

may be able to enter the brain from the bloodstream and cause harm. Some people think more tests should take place before nanoparticles of a material are used on a wider scale.

HOPE YOU LEARNED A LOT

Any Questions?

MY YOUNG FRESHIES!!