Nanoparticles are, by definition, tiny: Collections of molecules or even just atoms, less than 100 nm wide – smaller than 1/100th the size of a grain of sand. These nanoparticles offer a surprising range of properties that can be different from larger quantities of the same substance – typically enhanced strength, chemical reactivity, or electrical conductivity.
The public may perceive nanotechnology as a new field, but there are many examples of established uses. For example, diagnostic immunoassays using gold nanoparticles have been available since the 1960s.1 Many nanotechnology products mimic naturally occurring biological processes or structures, which makes sense when you consider that evolution has had a 3 billion-year head start on humans for designing and testing manipulations at nanoscale. During the past 30 years, however, increased interest and funding in nanotechnology has...
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario