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Nanotechnology Chemistry summer homework

How Does Nanotechnology work?


Nanotechnology is the use and control of structures that are very small (1 to 100 nanometres in size). 1 Nanometre is one billionth of a metre Materials on a Nano scale have different properties from materials of a normal scale Nanomaterial can occur naturally e.g. in volcanic ash, accidently e.g. by combustion but it is usually designed for specific purposes. Materials on a Nano scale have different properties with the same material on a normal scale Forces of attraction on nanomaterials are stronger than that of normal sized materials. This is due to the surface area to volume ratio. In nanoparticles, the total surface area to volume ratio is extremely large. Atoms on the surface of a material are often very reactive so a larger surface area means more reactivity. Which means that nanoparticles are very reactive

Carbon
Carbon atoms are very important in making things with nanomaterial's that are better in quality and function than ordinary, traditional materials. Carbon atoms are found in millions of types of molecules and they have different lots of different properties depending on the type of molecule that they are in. These different properties can be shown when carbon atoms are found in some of the hardest natural materials on Earth and one of the softest materials-0 graphite. In covalent bonding where electrons are shared. If negative electrons are attracted by a molecule the carbon atoms has a variety of properties. The carbon element is very attracted to each other. Because of these properties, carbon is very important in nanotechnology.

Carbon Nanotubes
When carbon is made into carbon nanotubes, they become twice as strong and six times as lightweight as steel. Carbon nanotubes can be made from rolling up a sheet of graphite into a cylinder The nanotubes structure can be very useful- it can be used as a vessel for transporting a drug into the body. A molecule of the drug can be put in the nanotube which keeps the drug wrapped up until it reaches the organ where it's required. This means that a drug which is damaging to other parts of the body wont be dangerous . The structure of nanotubes involves a massive surface area. Spreading a catalyst, atom by atom, on the surface of a nanotube there is a huge surface area where reactants can come into contact with the catalyst.

Structure of a carbon nanotube

Bucky Balls (Buckminsterfullerene)


One type of Bucky ball is a molecule made of Molecules made up of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a series of interlocking hexagons and pentagons, that looks like a football. Bucky Balls are the roundest and most symmetrical large molecule known to man. They are also quite resistant to high speed collisions It can withstand slamming into a stainless steel plate at 15,000 mph, bouncing back, unharmed. When its compressed to 70% of its original size, it becomes more than twice as hard as a diamond. It was discovered in 1985 Bucky balls can be found by heating rods of graphite by passing a electric current through them

The structure of a Bucky ball

Uses of Nanotechnology

Fabric Batteries
Nanotechnology can be used to be made into flexible batteries. Carbon Nanotubes can be used to make batteries from fabrics. Fabrics like cotton and polyester have been made into batteries that dont lose their flexibility. This discovery encourages the market of "wearable electronics" in which electronic devices are put into clothing and textiles. Wearable electronics allow possibilities like new designs and applications that werent possible with traditional electronic technology. Fabric batteries are made by dipping fabrics in an "ink" of tiny tubes of carbon. This process was first shown on plain paper in 2009. this inking process can be used to cheaply turn an ordinary t-shirt into a electronic t-shirt. The fibres in the clothes absorb the ink very well and it passes a current to all parts of the clothing. And washing with water doesnt affect the electricity in the clothing. Some research projects in recent years have shown the possibility of electronics that can be built on flexible and even transparent surfaces leading to more production of roll up display which is where displays are put on flexible and roll out surfaces, this saves space. By doing this process, we are mixing low technology, traditional products like cotton and paper with high tech nanotechnology The next step in this is to try and make fabric batteries that can store more energy in them. Even wearable solar cells are said to be possible

Roll up display

Sports equipment
nanoparticles are added to different materials to make them stronger whilst often being lighter. They have been used in tennis rackets, golf clubs and shoes Nanotechnology is mainly used in tennis and golf In golf, nanometal coatings are used. The nanometals have a crystal structure. Although they are hundreds of times smaller than traditional metals, they are four times stronger. NanoDynamics is a nanoscale engineering and materials company. Nanodynamics have recently produced golf balls with nanoscale coating to reduce spring and allow a closer contact with the club. Using this makes shots that dont go further, but travel straighter. In tennis, people have started adding nanosize silicon dioxide crystals to racquets, increasing power but dont increase weight of the racquet. Carbon nanotubes have also been used in sports equipment. By using carbon nanotubes, racquets are lighter, which allows for a more compact swing but it still produces maximum power

Clothing
Nanotechnology is being increasingly used in clothing, it improve fabrics, making them harder wearing and more resistant to dirt, water, oils or other chemicals. Lots of developments in nanotechnology in clothing are based on what happens in nature. E.g. A lotus leaf is covered in nanoscale waxy bumps which causes water to be shed easily. Fruits such as peaches are covered in tiny hairs to get the same effect. By putting these features in fabrics, they can be made water repellent and stain repellent too Silver nanoparticles are being added to socks. Doing this stops them from absorbing the smell of sweaty feet as the nanoparticles have antibacterial properties Fabric batteries are also caused by nanotechnology in fabrics. Nanotchnology in clothing has allowed ectronics for regulating temperature and monitoring health, lighter impact resistant materials and even shape-changing and colourchanging abilities to be developed in clothing. These properties were originally developed by the military but could also be used by police and firemen , offering for constant monitoring of vital signs and better body protection

Healthcare
nanoparticles are used in sunscreens. They offer protection and can be rubbed in so there are no white marks. Nanotechnology can be used to make Personalised Medicine as Most treatments today rely on clinical data taken from average patients but the way individuals respond to different drugs can be different as an effective dose for one person could be ineffective or toxic to somebody else. personalised medicine can be made using nanotechnology where drug doses are tailored to the individual using each humans unique Set of genes. nanotechnology can be used for Implants and it can have different uses like joint replacement, stents (which keep arteries open) and cochlear implants (to restore hearing loss). these nanotechnology implants must work closely with the patients natural tissues and organs.

Dangers
There are some concerns that nanoparticles may be toxic to people. They may be able to enter the brain from the bloodstream and cause harm. Some people think more tests should take place before nanoparticles of a material are used on a wider scale.

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