WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

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A NANOMETER

There are 1 billion (1,000,000,000) nanometers in 1 meter

There are 1 million (1,000,000) micrometers (or microns) in 1 meter

A line of ten hydrogen atoms lined up side by side is 1 nanometer long

Your finger nail grows 1 nanometer in 1 second

The diameter of your hair is approximately 50,000 nanometers

The abbreviation for nanometer is “nm”

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TYPES OF NANOSTRUCTURES/NANOMATERIALS Nanoparticles or nanospheres:

nanoscale lengths are measured in all three dimensions

Nanotubes or nanowires or nanorods: nanoscale lengths are measured in two dimensions only

Nanoscale thin films or ultra-thin films: nanoscale lengths are measured in one dimension only

Nanocomposites: a material comprised of many nanoscale inclusions (such as nanoparticles)

Nanostructured materials: a material that exhibits a unique structure that can be measured at the nanoscale

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COMMON EXAMPLES OF NANOSTRUCTURES/NANOMATERIALS Quantum dots: nanoparticles 2–10 nm in diameter, made from semiconductors, emit light in a specific wavelength range Carbon nanotubes: hollow cylinders one to tens of nanometers in diameter, extremely strong (hard to break), conduct heat faster than any other known material Buckyballs: nanoparticles comprised of exactly 60 carbon atoms (though there are other types), forming a network that resembles a soccer ball

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WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Nanostructures obey the same fundamental laws of the universe as everything else in nature

But… some things that are negligible (can be ignored) at big scales cannot be ignored at small scales

For example: Imagine you are an electron moving through a

“big” copper wire 1 cm in diameter – you may never see the boundaries of the wire because you are so small compared to its diameter

Imagine you are an electron moving through a “small” copper wire 1 nm in diameter (more comparable to the electron’s size) – now you bump into the boundaries of the wire often, which affects how you move through that wire

Therefore, the 1 nm diameter copper wire exhibits different electrical properties than its macroscale counterpart!

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SO WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

Nanotechnology is: Comprised of nanomaterials with at least one

dimension that measures between approximately 1 and 100 nm

Comprised of nanomaterials that exhibit unique properties as a result of their nanoscale size

Based on new nanoscale discoveries across the various disciplines of science and engineering

The manipulation of these nanomaterials to develop new technologies/applications or to improve on existing ones

Used in a wide range of applications from electronics to medicine to energy and more

SOME CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

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SOLAR CELLS

Nanotechnology enhancements provide:

Improved efficiencies: novel nanomaterials can harness more of the sun’s energy

Lower costs: some novel nanomaterials can be made cheaper than alternatives

Flexibility: thin film flexible polymers can be manipulated to generate electricity from the sun’s energy

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COMPUTING

Nanotechnology enhancements provide:

Faster processing speeds: miniaturization allows more transistors to be packed on a computer chip

More memory: nanosized features on memory chips allow more information to be stored

Thermal management solutions for electronics: novel carbon-based nanomaterials carry away heat generated by sensitive electronics

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CLOTHING

Nanotechnology enhancements provide:

Anti-odor properties: silver nanoparticles embedded in textiles kill odor causing bacteria

Stain-resistance: nanofiber coatings on textiles stop liquids from penetrating

Moisture control: novel nanomaterials on fabrics absorb perspiration and wick it away

UV protection: titanium nanoparticles embedded in textiles inhibit UV rays from penetrating through fabric

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BATTERIESNanotechnology enhancements provide: Higher energy storage capacity

and quicker recharge: nanoparticles or nanotubes on electrodes provide high surface area and allow more current to flow

Longer life: nanoparticles on electrodes prevent electrolytes from degrading so batteries can be recharged over and over

A safer alternative: novel nano-enhanced electrodes can be less flammable, costly and toxic than conventional electrodes

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SPORTING GOODS AND EQUIPMENT

Nanotechnology enhancements provide: Increased strength of

materials: novel carbon nanofiber or nanotube-based nanocomposites give the player a stronger swing

Lighter weight materials: nanocomposites are typically lighter weight than their macroscale counterparts

More “perfect” fabrication of materials: controlling material characteristics at the nanoscale helps ensure that a ball flies in the direction of applied force and/or reduces the chance for fracture of equipment

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CARSNanotechnology enhancements provide: Increased strength of

materials: novel carbon nanofiber or nanotube nanocomposites are used in car bumpers, cargo liners and as step-assists for vans

Lighter weight materials: lightweight nanocomposites mean less fuel is used to make the car go

Control of surface characteristics: nanoscale thin films can be applied for optical control of glass, water repellency of windshields and to repair of nicks/scratches

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FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Nanotechnology enhancements provide: Better, more

environmentally friendly adhesives for fast food containers: biopolymer nanospheres instantly tack surfaces together

Anti-bacterial properties: Nano silver coatings on kitchen tools and counter-tops kill bacteria/microbes Improved barrier properties for carbonated beverages or packaged foods: nanocomposites slow down the flow of gas or water vapor across the container, increasing shelf life

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THE ENVIRONMENT

Nanotechnology enhancements provide: Improved ability to capture

groundwater contaminants: nanoparticles with high surface area are injected into groundwater to bond with contaminants

Replacements for toxic or scarce materials: novel nanomaterials can be engineered to exhibit specific properties that mimic other less desirable materials

SOME FUTURE APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

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BODY ARMORNanotechnology enhancements will provide: Stronger materials for better

protection: nanocomposites that provide unparalleled strength and impact resistance

Flexible materials for more form-fitting wearability: nanoparticle-based materials that act like “liquid armor”

Lighter weight materials: nanomaterials typically weigh less than their macroscale counterparts

Dynamic control: nanofibers that can be flexed as necessary to provide CPR to soldiers or stiffen to furnish additional protection in the face of danger

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DRUG DELIVERY

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide:

New vehicles for delivery: nanoparticles such as buckyballs or other cage-like structures that carry drugs through the body

Targeted delivery: nano vehicles that deliver drugs to specific locations in body

Time release: nanostructured material that store medicine in nanosized pockets that release small amounts of drugs over time

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CANCER

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Earlier detection: specialized nanoparticles that target cancer cells only – these nanoparticles can be easily imaged to find small tumors

Improved treatments: infrared light that shines on the body is absorbed by the specialized nanoparticles in the cancer cells only, leading to an increased localized temperature that selectively kills the cancer cells but leaves normal cells unharmed

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MOLECULAR MANUFACTURING

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Ability to build structures, materials, devices and systems from the “bottom-up” atom by atom or molecule by molecule

“Nanobots” or “nanomachines” that can position atoms or molecules to build with atomic accuracy

Zero to little waste because atoms are placed exactly where they should go

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SENSORSNanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Higher sensitivity: high surface area of nanostructures that allows for easier detection of chemicals, biological toxins, radiation, disease, etc.

Miniaturization: nanoscale fabrication methods that can be used to make smaller sensors that can be hidden and integrated into various objects

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NEXT GENERATION COMPUTING (QUANTUM, DNA, MOLECULAR)

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide: The ability to control

atomic scale phenomena: quantum or molecular phenomena that can be used to represent data

Faster processing speeds Lighter weight and

miniaturized computers Increased memory Lower energy consumption

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NANOROBOTICSNanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Miniaturized fabrication of complex nanoscale systems: nanorobots that propel through the body and detect/ cure disease or clandestinely enter enemy territory for a specific task

Manipulation of tools at very small scales: nanorobots that help doctors perform sensitive surgeries

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WATER PURIFICATION

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Easier contamination removal: filters made of nanofibers that can remove small contaminants

Improved desalination methods: nanoparticle or nanotube membranes that allow only pure water to pass through

Lower costs Lower energy use

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MORE ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT APPLICATIONS…

Nanotechnology enhancements will provide:

Improvements to solar cells Improvements to batteries Improvements to fuel cells Improvements to hydrogen

storage CO2 emission reduction:

nanomaterials that do a better job removing CO2 from power plant exhaust

Stronger, more efficient power transmission cables: synthesized with nanomaterials

TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP FABRICATION

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TOP-DOWN FABRICATION Start with a large piece of material Remove sections of material to “carve” a

specific pattern or shape Has been used for centuries

to manufacture artwork, tools and devices

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BOTTOM-UP FABRICATION Start with catalyst particles

and/or a substrate Expose to a gas or liquid Reaction leads to the growth of

a solid nanostructure or nanoscale self-assembled layer

Properties such as temperature, pressure, surface quality, composition, catalyst size, etc. influence growth characteristics