Nanotechnology
What is it and how it affects you!
What is Nanotechnology/Nanoparticles?
Nano means very very small - It comes from the Greek words 'nanos' which means dwarfs. Nanotechnology Is the use and control of structures called Nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are structured atom by atom. Made by specialist tolols or chemical synthesis. Also by other techniques, such as etching.
Nanotechnology is ways in which nanoparticles can benfit certain aspects. For example, a tennis ball.
The double core balls have an extra layer inside them made from 1nm (Nanometre) sized clay particles mixed with rubber. This helps slow down air escaping from the balls, keeping thm inflated for longer.
The defenition of nanotechnology is the control of a matter on a tiny scale.
The defention of a nanoparticle is a very very tiny particle, whose size can be measured in nanometres.
What are the risks of nanotechnology?
Some doctors are concerned that nanoparticles are so small they may be able to enter the brain from the bloodstream. If this is true, it could mean some chemicals that are normally harmless become highly toxic at the nanoscale. Exactly how all the various nanoscale substances differ from larger particles of the same material is not fully understood. At present, there are no requirements for health and safety studies for nanoparticles to be different from those for larger particles. But some groups and organisations think that there should be.
What are the benefits of Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology helps lots of different businesses, and helps to make new and improved products.
Nanotechnology helps to make things like:
-Advanced Manufacturing -> More structured manufacturing processes and a high amount of profit with lower costs.
-Creative Industry -> Bio-Inspired products and developing them. These include things like bendy glass.
-Sporting Goods and Recreation -> Making things like footballs, tennis balls, and light weight but efficient tennis rackets.
-Security -> Tagging technology to keep track of people and their where-abouts
-Construction -> Materials that produce less CO2.
-Chemical Industries which help to reduce the amount of waste produced.
Nanotechnology is also used to make things that help with Environmental Life:
- Extreme Environments which can help with clearing roads.
- The Environments' pollution cleaning and reducing CO2 levels.
Nanotechnology helps to make things like:
-Advanced Manufacturing -> More structured manufacturing processes and a high amount of profit with lower costs.
-Creative Industry -> Bio-Inspired products and developing them. These include things like bendy glass.
-Sporting Goods and Recreation -> Making things like footballs, tennis balls, and light weight but efficient tennis rackets.
-Security -> Tagging technology to keep track of people and their where-abouts
-Construction -> Materials that produce less CO2.
-Chemical Industries which help to reduce the amount of waste produced.
Nanotechnology is also used to make things that help with Environmental Life:
- Extreme Environments which can help with clearing roads.
- The Environments' pollution cleaning and reducing CO2 levels.
Uses of Nanotechnology
Clothing:
Clothing containing Zinc Oxide nanoparticles have been developed by scientists. These Nanoparticles are the same particles that are used in SunScreen. These clothes are used because they provide a stronger UV protection than the other types of clothes. Clothes that have very small nanoscale hairs have been made because they don't stain. This is because the nanoscale hairs help to repel water and other materials like sauces. The clothing has also got the possibility of lowering the total amount of water and energy used in washing clothes. Nanoparticles of silver and other minerals have been used to make socks, because they give the socks anti-bacterial properties to stop feet from smelling.
Self-Cleaning windows:
Nanoparticles have been used by a company called "Pilkington" to create their prodict called "ActivGlass". The way it works is when the light hits these nanoparticles, they break down any dirt on the glass and clean the window. The surface on the "ActivGlass" windows is also hydrophilic (meaning: Hydro -> Water, Philic -> loving) this helps because if water falling on the glass spreads on the material, it helps to wash it.
Electronic Paper:
Nanotechnology is used by the engineers at Bridgestone to create a felxible display. They place a special substance called Liquid Powder, which has been placed in-between two sheets of glass or sometimes plastic, which creates a lightweight, flexible display but when it is switched off it keeps its image and doesn't lose it. These images could replace paper, meaning less trees are needed. Electric Signs also won't be using electricity so it saves energy.
Clothing containing Zinc Oxide nanoparticles have been developed by scientists. These Nanoparticles are the same particles that are used in SunScreen. These clothes are used because they provide a stronger UV protection than the other types of clothes. Clothes that have very small nanoscale hairs have been made because they don't stain. This is because the nanoscale hairs help to repel water and other materials like sauces. The clothing has also got the possibility of lowering the total amount of water and energy used in washing clothes. Nanoparticles of silver and other minerals have been used to make socks, because they give the socks anti-bacterial properties to stop feet from smelling.
Self-Cleaning windows:
Nanoparticles have been used by a company called "Pilkington" to create their prodict called "ActivGlass". The way it works is when the light hits these nanoparticles, they break down any dirt on the glass and clean the window. The surface on the "ActivGlass" windows is also hydrophilic (meaning: Hydro -> Water, Philic -> loving) this helps because if water falling on the glass spreads on the material, it helps to wash it.
Electronic Paper:
Nanotechnology is used by the engineers at Bridgestone to create a felxible display. They place a special substance called Liquid Powder, which has been placed in-between two sheets of glass or sometimes plastic, which creates a lightweight, flexible display but when it is switched off it keeps its image and doesn't lose it. These images could replace paper, meaning less trees are needed. Electric Signs also won't be using electricity so it saves energy.