Nanotechnology case

What makes metal nanoclusters scientifically so interesting The answer is that they, in many respects, no longer follow classical physical laws as all bulk materials do, but are correctly to be considered by means of quantum mechanics. This is not only valid for metals. In principle any other solid or in some cases even liquid material exhibit so-called nano-effects when reaching a critical size. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are based on those effects. In the course of only 1-2 decades nanosciences and nanotechnology have developed to such an extent that our daily life already is and will be increasingly influenced in a way that cannot be compared with any other technological development in mankind s history [2]. A few examples will help to better understand what is meant. 

The miniaturization of matter to a critical specific size often results in dramatic changes of properties. In most cases those events happen on the nanoscale. Nanoscience, and in consequence nanotechnology, describe and use such nanoeffects to take profit of novel properties without the need of preparing new chemical compounds. 

Recently, however, the development of nanotechnology may provide the changes on the research and development of practical catalysts. As mentioned in the previous section we can now design and synthesize a metal nanoparticle with not only various sizes and shapes, but also with various combinations of elements and their locations. Thus, we can now design the synergetic effect of two elements. In the case of core/shell structured bimetallic nanoparticles, the shell element can provide a catalytic site and the core element can give an electronic effect (a ligand effect) on the shell element. Since only the atoms on the surface can be attached by substrates, the thickness of the shell should be an important factor to control the catalytic performance. 

Nanotechnology has provided a novel way to enhance the electron-transfer rates between Hb and the electrode. As in the case of cyt c and Mb, nanocrystalline Ti02 film has been proposed to be a promising interface for the immobilization of Hb. GNPs are renowned for their good biocompatibility. With the help of these GNPs, Hb can exhibit a direct electron-transfer reaction without being denatured. To improve the... 

Reducing each component would, in principle, create a miniaturized instrument or device, but in most cases, this simple idea probably would not work. Quantum mechanics becomes important at the scale of nanotechnology, and as described in the sidebar on page 20-21, its laws are different from Newtonian physics. 

Joshi, S. (2008) Can nanotechnology improve the sustainability of biobased products The case of layered silicate hiopolymer nanocomposites. J. Ind. Ecol., 12 (3), 474-489. 

Progress in nanotechnology also depends critically on new developments in microscopy [42-45]. Compared to other investigation methods that help to explore the relation between the molecular structure and macroscopic properties, microscopy gives the most direct information. Particularly, in the case of disordered or aperiodic structures, visualisation of the structure is often more useful than indirect measurement and interpretation of its scattering properties. In practice, the utilisation and value of microscopes depends on their spatial resolution, the contrast and the imaging conditions. 

Peacock, R. D. Stewart, B. Chiral molecules spectroscopy. In Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II From Biology to Nanotechnology. Fundamentals Physical Methods, Theoretical Analysis and Case Studies, Lever, A. B. P, Ed. Elsevier Pergamon, 2004 Vol. 2, pp 65-81. 

The term nanotechnology is sometimes used ambiguously, however. In some cases, it is used simply to describe objects and events with "very small" dimensions, such as a few microns in size. A micron (pm) is a micrometer, or 1 millionth (10 6) of a meter. Unarguably, a micron is a very small dimension a human hair, for example, is about 10 pm in diameter. Still, a micron is 1,000 times as large as a nanometer, and research conducted at the micron level is more accurately known as microtechnology. Studies that involve objects... 

So what s in a name Does it make any difference whether a researcher calls her work "microtechnology" or "nanotechnology" In some cases, the answer is yes, and often for completely nonscientihc reasons. Since the 1990s, nanotechnology has become a hot topic. In... 

Computers and circuitry are not the only areas of investigation for nanotechnology, however. Another major area of nanoscale research involves the construction of tiny analogs of macroscale devices, such as pens, motors, balances, tweezers, and even railroad trains. In some cases, the only purpose in making such devices is to demonstrate the ability to do so ("We did it because we could ). 

Baum, Rudy. Nanotechnology Drexler and Smalley Make the Case for and against Molecular Assemblers. Chemical and Engineering News 81, 8, December 1, 2003, 37-42. Also available online at http //pubs.acs. org/cen/coverstory/8148/8148counterpoint.html. 

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