So What Is Nanotechnology Science of Technology 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
What Is Nanotechnology? Nanotechnology allows the manipulation of atoms or molecules to create or modify materials at the nanoscale. If I were asked for an area of science and engineering that will most likely produce the breakthroughs of tomorrow, I would point to nanoscale science and engineering. ~Neal Lane Former Assistant to the President for Science and Technology http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/graphics/rdd_talk.pdf
What s So Special About Nanotechnology? Materials can have different properties at the nanoscale Better at conducting electricity or heat Stronger Different magnetic properties Reflect light better Change color Larger surface area, so more surface is available for interactions with other materials
Nanotechnology Products Anti-bacterial wound dressings Nanoscale dry powder neutralizes gas and liquid toxins in chemical spills Batteries deliver more power, more quickly, and with less heat Sunscreen to prevent sunburns Scratch and glare resistant coatings for eye glasses, windows, and car mirrors
What Is a Buckyball? Hollow spherical molecule made up of 60 carbon atoms arranged into 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons 1 nanometer in diameter Resembles the shape of a soccer ball, but is 10 septillion times smaller 1 nm (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) 22 cm
Buckyball Extremely strong for use in building materials May replace silicon in electronic devices Scientists and engineers are exploring their usefulness in: Vehicles for drug delivery Tiny environmental sensors Light detectors Surface coatings to improve wear resistance
http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/carbonnano.html What s a Carbon Nanotube (CNT)? Tubular form of carbon with diameter of 1 nanometer and length of few nanometers to microns Graphene sheet rolled into a tube http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/graphics/arl_talk.pdf
Nanotubes Extraordinary properties Stiff as a diamond Very high tensile strength Strongest and most flexible molecular material Can be metallic or semiconducting Very high current-carrying capacity
Tools for Nanotechnology New tools are needed to manipulate and measure objects this small
Scanning Electron Microscope Used to show detailed, three-dimensional images at very high magnification Extends observation beyond objects that are too fast, too small, too far away, or invisible to the naked eye How the SEM Works A three-dimensional ultrastructural image analysis of a T-lymphocyte (right), a platelet (center), and a red blood cell (left) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Atomic Force Microscope Used to image, measure, and manipulate matter at the nanoscale Information gathered by feeling the surface with a mechanical probe Atomic force microscope topographical scan of a glass surface.
Microscopes Help Us See Meter Centimeter Millimeter Micrometer Nanometer Ruler/Caliper Optical Microscope Electron Microscope Atomic Force Microscope
Clean Room Scientists and engineers build structures at the nano scale in clean rooms. They wear suits to protect the clean room from dirt that may be on clothes, bodies, or shoes.
Nanotechnology Applications Nanoelectronics and computing Diodes and transistors Capacitors Data storage Flat panel displays Energy efficient processors Structural, mechanical Composites Cables, beams Multifunctional materials Body armor, space suits Self-healing materials Carbon nanotubes used in bats and racquets because of their great strength http://www.nano.gov/html/res/200711nanotechnologybigthingsfromatinyworld.html
Nanotechnology Applications Sensors Drug Delivery Force Pressure Chemical Batteries Life detection Biomedical http://www.nano.gov/html/res/200711nanotechnologybigthingsfromatinyworld.html Drug delivery DNA sequencing Artificial muscles Bone replacement Bionic eye
Nanotechnology Applications Energy and Environment Clean, less expensive sources High efficiency and durable lighting Transportation Wear resistant coatings High strength, light weight composites increase fuel efficiency Improved displays Battery technology Water Filtration Wear-resistant tires Automated highways http://www.nano.gov/html/res/200711nanotechnologybigthingsfromatinyworld.html
Nanotechnology Applications National Security High sensitivity, low power sensors to detect threats Light weight military platforms Reduce carry-on weight of soldier gear Space Probes for planet surfaces Micro-Rovers Thinking spacecraft http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/spacetransport.html
Summary Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that will impact Electronics and computing Materials and manufacturing Energy and environment Health and medicine National security Space exploration... the possibilities are endless
Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip art. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.). Nanotechnology: Opportunities and challenges. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/graphics/rdd_talk.pdf National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.). Nanotechnology gallery. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/spacetransport.html National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.). An overview of recent developments in nanotechnology. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/graphics/arl_talk.pdf National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). (n.d.). Big things from a tiny world. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from http://www.nano.gov/