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What Are Nanoparticles?

Jerry Morrison
Jerry Morrison

A nanoparticle is an ultra fine particle with at least one dimension between 1-100 nanometers (nm). One nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter. The lower size limit helps to distinguish a particle from random clusters of atoms. The upper limit is the largest at which size related property differences normally manifest themselves.

This definition is widely accepted, though it is a bit arbitrary. There are published references to nanoparticles at sizes outside the 1-100 nm range. What makes such particles of interest to scientists are the unique material properties that sometimes result from their size. When particles manifest such properties, they will likely be considered nanoparticles even if they do not fit precisely within the defined size range.

Nanorobotics uses nanotechnology to develop microscopic robots that are far smaller in width than a strand of human hair.
Nanorobotics uses nanotechnology to develop microscopic robots that are far smaller in width than a strand of human hair.

It is not necessarily the case that a nanoparticle will display property differences from larger instances of the same material. When it does occur, the property differences may be due to quantum effects. It is also true that at the nanoscale, particles of a material have a relatively larger surface area compared to their volume. The proportionally larger exposed surface can make nanoparticles much more chemically active. This may be another cause of their unexpected properties.

Human exposure to nanoparticles may cause inflammation in the lungs.
Human exposure to nanoparticles may cause inflammation in the lungs.

A quantum dot is a semiconductor nanoparticle about 1-20 nm in diameter. Its structure is essentially the same as larger semiconductors. The electronic properties it displays can be very different, however. These properties are the result of the quantum size effect. When physical size approaches the wavelength of an electron, the relationship between voltage and conductance can be different than at larger scales.

Gold and silver are relatively inert in bulk amounts. On the nanoscale, however, they demonstrate unique catalytic properties. For example, silver nanoparticles are an effective antibiotic. Nanoparticles of gold have proven to be efficient at removing volatile organic compounds from the atmosphere, even at room temperature.

Nanotechnology is concerned with making use of the unique properties of these ultra fine particles to engineer systems that function on the molecular or atomic levels. The special properties of the particles are seen to have potential in computer technology, medicine and environmental engineering. They may also form the building blocks for complex devices designed to operate on the microscopic level.

Concerns have been expressed about human exposure to nanoparticles. Animal research has demonstrated that some types of nanoparticles can reach the brain and other organs when inhaled. Inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs has also been reported. Explosion and fire in the workplace have proven to be the principle hazards of these particles, however.

Discussion Comments

Mor

@pastanaga - I think that's how they made that substance out of carbon called graphene. It's no really a nanoparticle, per sec, because it's made in a sheet, even if the sheet is only one atom thick. But it's amazing stuff and can do a whole bunch of things that other forms of carbon can't, like conduct electricity.

So far they've discovered hundreds of different applications for it. So, I think it probably is worth exploring how different forms of matter change when they are reduced to minuscule sizes, like gold nanoparticles, because it's obvious that they do react differently when they get to that point.

pastanaga

That's amazing, I had no idea that gold and silver had different properties when they were reduced to nanoparticles. It kind of reminds you of how little we know about the world. I wonder if every element would react differently if it was reduced to nanoparticles and how they can determine why they are doing that.

bythewell

I was reading an article about pollution recently where they were talking about how it is measured in nanoparticles and the massive amounts that some places have.

I think the way they put it was that some US cities can get up to 65 nanoparticles per milliliter of air and that's considered dangerous and they recommend that people don't go outside if possible when the air is like that.

But some cities in China, have something like a constant 300 nanoparticles of pollution per ml of air and of course, people don't have the option of staying inside.

It's rather scary, when you think about what it says in the article about how particles that small can go straight to the brain.

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    • Nanorobotics uses nanotechnology to develop microscopic robots that are far smaller in width than a strand of human hair.
      By: Gunnar Assmy
      Nanorobotics uses nanotechnology to develop microscopic robots that are far smaller in width than a strand of human hair.
    • Human exposure to nanoparticles may cause inflammation in the lungs.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Human exposure to nanoparticles may cause inflammation in the lungs.