Nanotechnology and Electron Microspy

By Amanda M. Icazatti-Burtell

Nanotechnology is an innovative area of Science. As the term implies, it depends on technology to understand the atomic and molecular behavior of substances by the manipulation of their characteristics at a nano scale (10-9). Nanotechnology’s objective is to lower the potential activity and consumption of energy produced by the nanoparticle with the development of materials at a very small scale.

Electrospinning is the procedure in which fibers are created from a liquid solution. It consists in applying a high voltage to a droplet from the liquid in a syringe. The electrostatic from the voltage will stretch the droplet, breaking its surface tension and depositing the fibers in a target. Fibers composed of acetate cellulose can be made using this procedure. After the fiber is created, sputtering may be done. This procedure depends on the collisions of ion and atoms in a fiber made and consist of depositing a metal in the fiber. The metal deposition to the fibers can be used for gas sensory and even the separation of proteins.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is a very useful instrument that permits electrons to interact with the sample allowing seeing in detail the arrangement of particles. The perception on how particles are arranged within the sample provides great information that can help characterized the sample. In addition, by knowing how these particles interact with each other can helps in the understanding of it behavior and predict its functions.

One of the most significant improvements about Nanotechnology has been the biomedical advances that it entails. Nanoparticles are being used because these procedures are less invasive and more specific than currents ones. They are more capable of the catalysis process that increases their sensitivity and response time in treatments. Mechanical implants used in human joints are an example of a treatment using nanoparticles. They have been a success thanks to their hydroxyapatite coating achieved through nanoparticles. Nanotechnology promises to be an area of great benefits and progress.