Nano Particles

• Nanoparticles are really tiny particles that have a diameter between 1nm and 100nm. This means they can't even be seen with a light mircroscope
• The field that produces nanoparticles is called nanoscience which has produced loads of new materials with useful properties.
• Key features

  • Large surface area to volume ratio
• If we use a nanoparticle as a catalyst only the exposed surface area is important, so thanks to their high surface area to volume ration much less is needed of the material.
• Nanomedicine

  • Fullerenes could be used to deliver drugs around the body, the hope is they are so tiny than can deliver drugs to the insides of our cells
• Nanoparticles in electrical circuits

  • Some nanoparticles can conduct electricity so we could make super tiny computer chips
• Silver nanoparticles can be used for antibacterial properties. So we infuse them into surgical masks and plasters to reduce infection.
• Nanotechnology is relatively new so we don't know the effects on the body yet. There is no evidence that they can cause harm yet but we just aren't sure.
• Some people think nanoparticles need to be regulated more strictly, and we should clearly label anything that might contain nanoparticles.
• Suncream

  • Using nanoparticles in suncream makes them more effective at protecting our skin
  • Due to better skin coverage
  • But we don't know if nanoparticles can enter our body and damage our cells
• Its possible nanoparticles could damage the environment if released into the ocean