What are nanomaterials?
It seems like every day, newspapers and televisions trumpet another advance in nanotechnology. But what exactly are they talking about? Put simply, nanomaterials are any type of material that is manipulated at an atomic or molecular level. Nanowires, nanotubes and nanoparticles typically have diameters of less than 100 nanometers.
For reference, 1 meter contains 1 billion nanometers. One inch contains 25.7 million nanometers. Here are some other comparisons:
- Earthworm: 10 million nanometers long
- DNA molecule: 1 nm wide
- Water molecule: 0.1 nm diameter
- Uranium nucleus: 0.0001 nm diameter
Everything Changes at the Nanoscale Level
When scientists create nanomaterials in the lab, everything we understand about a material at a macroscopic level changes. Color, chemical properties, conductivity - it all changes. At the nanoscale level, quantum properties overwhelm continuum properties and stuff gets freaky.
For example, graphite and carbon nanotubes share the recognizable honeycomb (graphene) structure; however, the simple structural change from sheets to tubes changes carbon from one of the softest elements (graphite) to one of the strongest (carbon nanotubes). Gold nanoparticles trade their lustrous yellow shimmer for a dark reddish hue.
The myriad differences between nanoscale and macroscale materials have flung the door wide open for new technology and applications. From medicine to energy to information technology, the nanomaterial revolution is coming.
Classifying Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials can be classified in a number of ways. They can be arranged my chemical composition (individual elements such as silver or carbon, alloys or other chemical compounds), size (diameter, length) or shape (wires, tubes, particles, combinations). Additionally, they can be classified according to their various properties (surface area, electrical or thermal conductivity, strength, optical properties, etc).
What next?
Now that you understand nanomaterial basics, it's time to learn why you should use these amazing materials in your products.
