Nanoparticles

What is the size of nanoparticles?

1-100 nanometres

What is an important feature of nanoparticles?

an extremely high surface area to volume ratio

Why is surface area to volume ratio an important feature of nanoparticles?

1. Catalysts: Surface area is important, so the nanoparticles can affect more chemicals for less volume than larger particles

2. Medicine: Their small size may allow them to deliver drugs directly to cells

3. Electrical circuits: Some can conduct electricity, so we can condense the size of computer chips even further

4. Silver nanoparticles: have antibacterial properties, so can be infused in medical items to reduce infection

What are the issues of nanotechnology?

They are new, and don’t have a long enough or extensive enough history of research/testing to warrant widespread use

For example, nanoparticles are good at protecting the skin from UV rays, especially due to high volume to surface ratio, but we don’t have research as to if they can enter skin, damage cells, or damage aquatic life.