nanoscience

• nanoscience


  the study of molecules and nanostructures whose size ranges from 1 to 100 nanometres (one billionth of a meter)
• nanoparticles are incredibly...


  tiny
• coarse particles


  diameter of 2500nm-10000nm (also called dust)
• fine particles


  diameter of 100nm-2500nm
• nanoparticles


  diameter of 1nm-100nm (these particles only contain a few hundred atoms)
• nanometre to metre conversion


  x0.0000001 (9 zeros)
• metre to nanometre conversion


  x100000000 (9 zeros)
• nano meaning


  0.000000001
• nanoparticles have a large...

  surface area to volume ratio
• surface area to volume ratio =


  surface area ÷ volume
• as particles decrease in size, the size of their surface area ... in relation to their volume


  increases
• how do nanoparticles make good catalysts?

  nano-sized catalysts have more open active surfaces (due to their high surface area to volume ratio) than bulk catalysts and thereby provide efficient contact between the reactant and the catalysts
• how do nanoparticles deliver drugs?

  nano-sized particles are more easily absorbed by the body, making it effective for drug delivery in the body
• how can nanoparticles be used in electric circuits?

  some nanoparticles conduct electricity due to delocalised electrons - they can also improve the capabilities of electronic devices without adding too much weight to them
• how can nanoparticles be used in cosmetics?

  nanoparticles alter properties of cosmetic products including colour, transparency, solubility and chemical reactivity. they can also be used as UV filters or preservatives and give better skin coverage
• how can silver nanoparticles be used?

  silver nanoparticles having antibacterial properties allow them to be added to polymer fibres that are then used to make surgical masks and wound dressings and they can also be added to deodorants by clogging the sweat glands and stop sweating
• the effects of nanoparticles on health aren't...


  fully understood
• what are the risks of nanoparticles?

  - so small that they could potentially enter the bloodstream

  - toxic substances could bind to them, harming health if the nanoparticles do get into the body

  - relatively new material so long term effects are not known

  - can enter and potentially damage the environment