Nanomaterial in one dimension
In this category belong nanomaterials such as thin films and engineered
surfaces.
This type of nanomaterial can't be really considered as a new material
considering that have been developed and used for decades in fields such as
electronic device manufacture, chemistry and engineering.
Nanomaterials in two dimensions
Two dimensional nanomaterials such as tubes and wires.
Carbon nanotubes see carbon nanotubes section of nanocompositech.com
Inorganic nanotubes see nanonatural a typical example of inorganic nanotubes
example.
Halloysite nanotubes are hollow tubes with high aspect ratios that are tens
to hundreds of nanometers (billionths of a meter) in diameter, with lengths
typically ranging from about 500 nanometers to over 1.2 microns (millionths
of a meter).
Nanowires
Nanowires are ultrafine wires or linear arrays of dots, formed by
self-assembly. They can be made from a wide range of materials.
Semiconductor nanowires made of silicon, gallium nitride and indium
phosphide have demonstrated remarkable optical, electronic and magnetic
characteristics.
Nanoscale in three dimensions
Nanoparticles are often defined as particles of less than 100nm in diameter.
Fullerenes (carbon 60):Spherical molecule formed of exagonal carbon structure recently discovered
1986.
Dendrimers are spherical polymeric molecules, formed through a nanoscale
hierarchical self-assembly process. (trivial definition: 3d polymer)
Quantum dots: for an exhaustive treatment of a subject see
evidentech.com quantum dots
companies with more white papers about quantum dots and their applications.
-Cosmetics application of nanoparticle (e.g sunscreen lotions: ray absorb properties)
-Nanocomposite materials: nanoparticle silicate nanolayer (clay nanocomposites) and nanotubes can be used as reinforzed filler not only to increase mechanical properties of nanocomposites but also to impart new properties (optical, electronic etc.).
-Nanocoatings: surface coating with nanometre thickness of nanomaterial can be used to improve properties like wear and scratch-resistant, optoelectonics, hydrophobic properties.
-Hard cutting tools: current cutting tools (e.g mill machine tools) are made using a sort of metal nanocomposites such as tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide and titanium carbide that have more wear and erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional (large-grained) materials.
-More performed paint using nanoparticles to improve paint properties.
-Fuel cells: could use nano-engineered membranes to catalytic processes for improve efficiency of small-scale fuel cells.
-Displays: new class of display using carbon nanotubes as emission device for the next generation of monitor and television (FED field-emission displays).
-Using nanotechnology based knowledge may be produce more efficient, lightweight, high-energy density batteries.
-Nanoparticles can be used as fuel additivities and catalytic more efficient materials.
Other feasible nanotechnology applications
Nanospheres in lubrificants technology like a sort of nano balls bearing
Nanoscale magnetic materials in data storage device.
Nanostructured membranes for water purification.
In some sense, electronic miniaturization has been the true driving force for nanotechnology research and applications.
The main aim in this area is understand nanoscale rules and mechanism in order to implement new ICT systems more economic, little and reliable.
It's a sure thing that silicon era is on the way up.
Only nanotechnology can radically change ICT systems in order to continue to follow Moore's law.
Nanotechnologies are therefore expected to enable the production of smaller, cheaper devices with increasing efficiency.
Bio-nanotechnology is concerned with biological nanostructures and is a
strong interdisciplinary matter (chemical, biological and the physical sciences.)
Biological systems are the most perfect nanosystems one can image.
Biomolecular structures possess highly specific morphology and functions and
somehow nanotechnologist must study their in depth in order to understand general nanotechnology aspects.
Bio nanotechnology is a new research that may product great break through in applications in the field of medicine such as disease diagnosis, drug delivery and molecular imaging that has been already intensively researched.
Current and particularly future applications regard:-Electronics information and communication technology
In this area, "smart" molecules may be integrated into devices for specific ICT
applications, in order to obtain a protein based transistor.
For this and other type of nanotech application will be important understand
the fundamental electronic properties of bio molecules in particular the
mechanisms by which electronic charge is transferred between them and metals
semiconductors and novel nanoelectronic properties of Carbon Nato Tubes.
-Drug delivery systems
One of the most potential applications of nanotechnology might be related to gene and
drug delivery system on order to improve therapy efficacy.
The challenge is devise nanoparticle capable of targeting
specific diseased cells, which contains both therapeutic agents
that are released into the cell and an on-board sensor that regulates the release.
As related approach already in use is that of polymer based drug delivery systems
but the functionalities previous outlined are obviously more powerful.
-Medical Imaging for diagnosis
Nanotechnologies already use quantum dots or synthetic chromophores to selected
molecules (e.g proteins) for intracellular imaging.
Also incorporation of naturally fluorescent proteins has been experimented which, with optical techniques
allow intracellular biochemical processes to be investigated directly.
Other nanotechnology applications: Implants and prosthetics Biological Nanomachine
See Health Nanotechnology reports Nanoroadmap project document.
