What is/are Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles, & Nanometers?
Nanotechnology is the study of materials within the nanoscale.
Nanoparticles are defined as particles that are between 1 to 100nm (the nanoscale) in size.
A nanometer is 1 x 10$^{-9}$ meters - One billionth of a meter or 0.000000001 meters
Nanomaterials
- Are made of nanoparticles!
- Substances that are composed of units that exist in the nanoscale.
Properties differ between non-nanoparticle and nanoparticle.
- E.g. Colour
- Normal Gold -> Yellow
- Nanoparticle Gold -> Red
- Normal Zinc Oxide -> White
- Nanoparticle Zinc Oxide -> Transparent
- This is used in sunscreen
- E.g. Strength
- Carbon nanotubes and fibres
- Complex shapes
- Motors
- Nanobots
- Medicine