Nanoparticles

• A nanoparticle is a particle between one nanometer and a hundred nanometres across.
• A material that is made from Nanoparticles is described as a Nanoparticulate. Grains, lumps and sheets are materials in bulk Nanoparticulate materials have different properties to the same substance in bulk.
• The small size of nanoparticles make them useful for new paints, new cosmetics or medicines, transparent objects, new catalyst to speed up industrial chemical reactions and self cleaning windows, ovens or even clothes.
• Nanoparticles can be used to create sunscreens with higher SPF ratings than traditional ones
• Nanoparticles can be used to improve the efficiency of solar cells by absorbing more light energy.
• Nanoparticles can also be used to produce stronger and lighter alloys which could be used in cars, planes and buildings.
• Nanoparticles can also be used to improve the strength of concrete without adding extra weight
• Nanoparticles can be used to detect cancerous tumours earlier than usual methods
• Many properties of nanoparticles are due to the very large surface area to volume ratio compared with the same substance in bulk.
• Nanoparticles are so tiny that they may be breathed in, absorbed by the skin or pass into the cells.
• Nanoparticles may take a long time to break down once released into the environment and toxic substances may stick to their surfaces. Some scientists are concerned about Nanoparticles as they may be harmful to health and the environment in ways that are too difficult to predict.