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Nanowerk > Introduction to Nanotechnology >

Introduction to Nanotechnology - W
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is nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology Definition
1. Significance of Nanoscale
2. New Materials  
2.1 Nanomaterials A word of caution
2.2 Properties
3. Nanomaterial Science
3.1 In One Dimensions Truly revolutionary nanotechnology products, materials and applications, such
3.2 In Two Dimensions
- Carbon Nanotubes
nanorobotics, are years in the future (some say only a few years; some say m
- Inorganic Nanotubes years). What qualifies as "nanotechnology" today is basic research and develo
- Nanowires
- Biopolymers that is happening in laboratories all over the world. "Nanotechnology" products
3.2 In Three Dimensions
- Nanoparticles on the market today are mostly gradually improved products (using evolutiona
- Fullerenes (Carbon 60)
- Dendrimers
nanotechnology) where some form of nanotechnology enabled material (such
- Quantum Dots carbon nanotubes, nanocomposite structures or nanoparticles of a particular
4. Applications
4.1 Current substance) or nanotechnology process (e.g. nanopatterning or quantum dots
- Cosmetics
- Composites
medical imaging) is used in the manufacturing process. In their ongoing quest
- Clays improve existing products by creating smaller components and better perform
- Coatings
 - Tougher Tools
4.2 Short-term materials, all at a lower cost, the number of companies that will manufacture
- Paints
- Remediation
"nanoproducts" (by this definition) will grow very fast and soon make up the m
- Fuel Cells all companies across many industries. Evolutionary nanotechnology should th
- Displays
- Batteries be viewed as a process that gradually will affect most companies and industrie
- Fuel Additives
- Catalysts  
4.2 Longer-term
- Nanotube Composites
Definition of nan'o•tech•nol'o•gy n
- Lubricants
- Magnetic Materials So what exactly is nanotechnology? One of the problems facing nanotechnolo
- Medical Implants
- Machinable Ceramics confusion about its definition. Most definitions revolve around the study and co
- Water Purification
- Military Battle Suits phenomena and materials at length scales below 100 nm and quite often they
5. Carbon Nanotubes 101
5.1 History
comparison with a human hair, which is about 80,000 nm wide. Some definitio
5.2 Production Methods include a reference to molecular systems and devices and nanotechnology 'pu
- Arc Method
- Laser Method argue that any definition of nanotechnology needs to include a reference to "fu
- CVD Method
- Ball Milling
systems". The inaugural issue of Nature Nanotechnology asked 13 researche
- Other Methods different areas what nanotechnology means to them and the responses, from
5.3 Purification Methods
- Gas Phase enthusiastic to sceptical, reflect a variety of perspectives.
- Liquid Phase
- Intercalation
5.4 Dispersion
5.5 Functionalization
5.6 Properties
- Electrical Conductivity
- Strength/Elasticity
- Thermal Conductivity
- Field Emission
- High Aspect Ratio
- Highly Absorbent
5.7 Applications
- Field Emission
- Plastics
- Energy Storage
- Adhesives/Connectors
- Molecular Electronics
- Thermal Materials
- Structural Composites
- Fibers and Fabrics
- Catalyst Support
- Ceramics
- Biomedical Applications
- Air,Water,Gas Filtration
- Other Applications
6. Nanotechnology Images
 
Human hair fragment and a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (Ima
Cech)
It seems that a size limitation of nanotechnology to the 1-100 nm range, the a
size-dependant quantum effects come to bear, would exclude numerous mate
devices, especially in the pharamaceutical area, and some experts caution ag
rigid definition based on a sub-100 nm size.
Another important criteria for the definition is the requirement that the nano-str
man-made. Otherwise you would have to include every naturally formed biom
and material particle, in effect redefining much of chemistry and molecular bio
'nanotechnology.'
The most important requirement for the nanotechnology definition is that the n
structure has special properties that are exclusively due to its nanoscale propo
We found a good definition that is practical and unconstrained by any arbitrary
 limitations (source):
 
The design, characterization, production, and application of structures, d
and systems by controlled manipulation of size and shape at the nanom
scale (atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scale) that produces struc
devices, and systems with at least one novel/superior characteristic or p
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