Nanotechnology - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key nanotechnology concepts, terminology, techniques, structures, and applications mentioned in the lecture notes.

Nanotechnology

The understanding and control of matter at dimensions roughly 1-100 nm where unique phenomena enable novel applications.

Nanometer (nm)

A unit equal to 1×10^-9 meters; the basic unit used to describe nanoscale dimensions.

Nanoscale

The size range of about 1-100 nanometers—the scale at which nanotechnology operates.

Size-dependent properties

Properties of materials (optical, magnetic, mechanical, electrical, catalytic, thermal) that change as particle size changes.

Surface-area-to-volume ratio

The ratio of surface area to volume; it increases as particle size decreases, making surface effects more important.

Quantum confinement

Restriction of electrons in small dimensions that alters electronic structure and leads to size-dependent properties.

Bulk materials vs nanomaterials

Bulk materials have properties dominated by the interior; nanomaterials show different properties due to surface and quantum effects.

Monodispersity

Uniform particle size distribution (narrow size distribution) in a nanoparticle sample.

Colloidal synthesis

A synthesis method where nanoparticles are produced and dispersed in a colloidal suspension.

Co-precipitation

A synthesis method where multiple components precipitate together to form nanoparticles.

Sol-gel

A chemical process to form solid materials from small molecules, often used to make oxide nanoparticles.

Heterostructure

A nanostructure composed of two or more different materials joined at an interface.

Heteronanostructure

A nanoscale structure made of different materials with interfaces between them.

Nanodumbbell

A two-lobed nanoparticle where two spheres are connected, e.g., CdSe-Au nanodumbbells.

CdSe-Au nanodumbbells

A specific type of nanodumbbell combining CdSe and Au components.

FePt-PbS heteronanostructures

A multi-component nanostructure example (FePt with PbS) reported in the literature.

Quantum dot

A semiconductor nanocrystal with size-tunable optical and electronic properties due to quantum confinement.

Semiconductor quantum dots

Quantum dots made from semiconductor materials with size-dependent emission.

Silicon nanoparticles

Silicon-based nanoparticles used in various nanotech applications.

Gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles used in sensing, catalysis, and medical applications; exhibit size-dependent properties.

Silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties and unique optical features.

Optical properties

How nanoparticles interact with light, often color changes due to size-dependent effects.

Superparamagnetism

Magnetic behavior in very small nanoparticles where magnetization occurs only in an applied field.

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)

Imaging technique that achieves atomic-scale resolution by measuring tunneling current between a tip and sample.

Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

Imaging technique that maps surface topography by measuring forces between a sharp tip and the surface.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Microscope that uses transmitted electrons to form high-resolution images of nanoscale structures.

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Optical technique to study nanoparticle size and properties via light absorption spectra.

BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area

Method to measure the surface area of materials, including nanoparticles.

Nano Age

The era associated with nanoscale science and technology; the notes suggest its prominence and 1980s start.

1980s start of the Nano Age

Period when the present nano age began according to the notes.

Drug delivery

Use of nanoparticles to transport therapeutic agents to specific parts of the body.

Personalized medicine

Tailoring medical treatment to individual patients using nanotech-enabled approaches.

Smart textiles

Textiles enhanced with nanoscale materials to provide advanced properties (e.g., strength, sensing).

Water filters (nano-enabled)

Nanomaterial-based filtration systems with enhanced removal of contaminants.

Self-cleaning glass

Glass with nanostructured coatings that resist dirt or break down contaminants.