Nanomaterial

A nanomaterial is a substance with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter). These materials exhibit unique properties due to their size, including enhanced strength, conductivity, reactivity, and optical behavior compared to their larger counterparts. They can be engineered from various elements and compounds, ranging from metals and semiconductors to polymers and composites, and are used in diverse fields, including medicine, electronics, energy, and environmental science. Their small size leads to a high surface area to volume ratio, influencing their interaction with other substances.

Nanomaterial meaning with examples

• Carbon nanotubes, a type of nanomaterial, are incredibly strong and lightweight. This makes them ideal for use in reinforcing composite materials like aircraft fuselages, enabling lighter and more fuel-efficient designs. Their conductivity also makes them suitable for advanced electronics, potentially revolutionizing the speed and efficiency of circuits.
• In medicine, gold nanoparticles, a type of nanomaterial, can be used for targeted drug delivery. They can be coated with therapeutic agents and designed to accumulate in specific tissues, such as cancerous tumors, to release medication directly where it's needed, minimizing side effects.
• Solar cells utilizing semiconductor nanomaterials, like quantum dots, can capture a wider spectrum of sunlight, leading to higher energy conversion efficiencies. This results in improved solar panel performance and potentially more sustainable energy production methods.
• Nanomaterials are used in many different areas of construction such as to create self-healing concrete, creating enhanced strength to the concrete. Nanomaterials can be dispersed in concrete and form nanoparticles to make the concrete waterproof.
• Environmental remediation employs nanomaterials, like iron nanoparticles, to remove pollutants from contaminated water. These nanoparticles can react with harmful substances, breaking them down into less toxic forms. This helps in cleaning up polluted areas.