Nanotechnology Flashcards
Nanoparticle
Is a structure that is 1-100nm in size and contains a few hundred atoms
Nanometre
10 to the power -9 m
What is nanotechnology
The use and control of nanoparticles
How to convert from nanometres to metres
Divide by 1X10 to the power of 9
How to convert from metres to nanometres
Multiply by 1X10 to the power of 9
What is an atom’s radius
0.1 nm
Centimetre in metres and standard form
-0.01m
-1X10 to the power of -2
Millimetres in metres and standard form
-0.001m
-1X10 to the power of -3
Micrometres in metres and standard form
-0.000001m
-1X10 to the power of -6
Nanometres in metres and standard form
-0.000000001m
-1X10 to the power of -9
Picometres in metres and standard form
-0.000000000001
-1X10 to the power of -12
Femptometres in metres and standard form
-0.000000000000001
-1X10 to the power of -15
Use of nanotechnology in sports
-Added to materials to make them durable, stronger but also lighter
-E.g tennis rackets, golf clubs
-Forces between nanoparticles are strong so its use in sports equipment is excellent as it provides light and strong equipment
Use of nanotechnology in medicine
-Silver nanoparticles used in dressings for burn injuries as it prevents bacterial growth
-Gold nanoparticles are being developed to improve cleaning of instruments in hospitals
-Silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties used in plasters and in sprays in surgical theatres
Use of nanotechnology in medicine - drug delivery
-Particles are engineered so they are attracted to diseased cells for direct treatment reducing damage to healthy cells
-Tiny doses of medicine can be delivered to individual meaning a much more targeted delivery to tumours without damage to healthy cells
Use of nanotechnology in electronics
-Increase the capabilities of electronics devices while reducing weight and power consumptions
-Potential to make very small computers using carbon nanoparticles
Use of nanotechnology in clothing
-Silver nanoparticles are added to socks so they don’t absorb the smell of sweaty feet
-Nanoparticles of silica added to fabric to form a coating that repels water
-Silver nanoparticles in socks act as antibacterial agents
-Stain resistant fabrics- Liquids run off in beads
Nanoparticles in sun cream
-Some sun creams contain chemicals that absorb harmful UV rays so that our skin doesn’t
-Others act as physical sunblock reflecting UV rays
-Nanoparticles of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide are used in sun creams
Advantages of nanoparticles
-More effective protection from sun’s UV rays: Small particles size increases the chance of sun’s rays hitting zinc oxide and being absorbed or scattered
-Invisible on skin: Particles are so small so they appear colourless
-Better skin coverage: more uniform distribution of the particles
Disadvantage of nanoparticles
-Potential cell damage in the body as the cells are so small they may be able to penetrate cell membranes in the body and may be more harmful than bulk materials
-Harmful effects on the environment
Why do nanoparticles have different properties to the same material in bulk
Due to their high surface area to volume ratio
