• Convergence of science, technology, and

engineering where the observation,

characterization, design, and controlled
fabrication of materials and devices are at the
scale of less than 100 nanometers

1 nanometer = 10-9 m
• Is already making today’s products:
1. Lighter
2. Stronger
3. Faster
4. Smaller
5. More durable

• New phenomena emerge at the nano scale (properties and functions not
present in large dimensions – quantum properties) videos\When Things
Get Small.mp4
• 4 nm width (smaller
diameter than DNA)
• 100 times stronger
than steel (1/6 weight)
• Thermally/electrically
conductive
• Metallic and semi-
conductive
1. Top-down approach – Bulk materials are broken
down into smaller and smaller particles
(Norio Taniguchi)
2. Bottom-up approach – Nanoparticles are built up
an atom/molecule at a time
(Richard Feynman)
• Indium tin oxide (ITO)
✓ CRTs
✓ Photographic films
✓ Touch screens
• Magnetic storage technology used for :
✓ Audiocassettes
✓ Videocassettes
✓ Data storage tapes
✓ Floppy disks
✓ Hard disks
• Use of Fe oxide or
Co-Fe oxide
• UVB exposure – sunburn and carcinoma
• UVA exposure – melanoma and premature aging
• Nanoscale TiO2 and ZnO particles
provide broad-spectrum UV
protection in a transparent
formulation
• Nanoplex biomarker
detection
✓ Silica-coated Surface
Enhanced Raman
Scattering (SERS) – active
metal nanoparticles allow
robust , ultrasensitive,
highly-multiplexed
biomarker quantitation in
any biological matrix,
including blood
• Photocatalytic
reactions can purify
water, air, surfaces,
and fabrics
• TiO2 nanocrystals/films
• Of the 502, 126 kg of
propellant used in the
solid rocket boosters
of the Space Shuttle,
16% is atomized Al
powder
• Nanoscale Al powder
have higher burn rates
• Potential to revolutionize
cancer treatment
• Nanocrystals can be
effective agents for
selective targeting and
destruction of cancer cells
✓ Small particle size
✓ Surface functionalization is
possible
✓ Unique properties
(magnetic, optical)
1. Why is nanotechnology likened to creating a
statue out of a pile of dust?
2. What science governs nanostructures? Why
is it different?
3. Why is nanotechnology a difficult science?
4. What does nature show about building
organisms from the bottom up?
5. How can chemistry help in nanotechnology?