Transcript So What Is Nanotechnology

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
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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, threedimensional
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
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Diodes and transistors
Capacitors
Data storage
Flat panel displays
Energy efficient processors
• Structural, mechanical
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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
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Force
Pressure
Chemical
Batteries
Life detection
• Biomedical
http://www.nano.gov/html/res/200711NanotechnologyBigThingsfromaTinyWorld.html
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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/