Today let's learn Nanotechnology .

Today let's learn Nanotechnology .

Can you think of something incredibly small? Maybe a tiny cell, a little bacterium, or even a tiny atom. You might even imagine something as small as quarks. In any event, can you imagine building stuff with materials the size of cells, bacteria, and atoms – things that are so small they can barely be seen? That’s exactly what nanotechnology is all about: Construction work on a tiny tiny scale.

Just how small is small? In this scenario, small refers to being one billion times smaller than what we typically encounter. To provide you with a sense of the scale at which nanotechnology operates, consider this: one strand of hair on your head measures around 100,000 nanometers in width. That's the level of minuteness you should keep in mind.

But how big an impact can things that small have? Well, decide for yourself. Here are a couple of examples of how nanotech is being used today:

1. Sunscreen: Two nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide have been added to most sunscreens because they’re highly effective at blocking UV radiation, while still feeling light on the skin.

2. Clothing & furniture: Nanoparticles of Silica are able to repel water and other liquids. Our Chief Navigator Simon only wears t-shirts with such nanoparticles weaved into the fabric. Similarly, nanoparticles can be used to make furniture less flammable.

3. Tennis equipment: Nanotechnology is used in a lot of sports equipment, among others tennis. Without nanotechnology, tennis balls wouldn’t bounce so long and tennis rackets wouldn’t be so strong.

4. Energy: Nanotechnology is improving the efficiency of energy production, be it oil, solar, wind, batteries, etc.

Did you know most of our electronic devices are only made possible because of nanotechnology, and even the COVID-vaccine was developed using nanotechnology. It’s literally everywhere.

How Nanotechnology Works

The basic components of nanotechnology are called nanoparticles. A nanoparticle is a really small material that measures between 1 and 100 nanometers. So, your hair is definitely not a nanoparticle because it's much bigger.

Most of the nanoparticles we use today are made by humans. We create them through processes like gas condensation, radiation, chemistry, or mechanical manipulation. These tiny particles have many applications in fields like organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductor physics, energy storage, engineering, and more. This wide range of uses makes nanotechnology valuable in various areas such as medicine, electronics, robotics, and so on. Nanotechnology has the potential to greatly improve medicine, make electronic devices more affordable, and even advance the development of robots. It's possible that nanomedicine could lead to a cure for cancer, and nanotechnology might bring us closer to having flying cars or even real-life Iron Man. The possibilities are exciting.

However, there are also challenges connected with nanotechnology. Because nanoparticles are so small, they’re able to move between cell membranes, meaning they can go into our bloodstream and reach our organs. What effects that might have on our health, is not yet completely clear. The same goes for the effect on the environment. Nanotechnology is still so new that we don’t know the long term impact it will have on our world.

How can you use nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is fascinating and holds tremendous potential. You might be thinking, "Well, it sounds amazing, but I don't know how to create nanoparticles or build nanorobots. I would have to become an expert in that field to use it for my project!" On one hand, that's true, but on the other hand, it's not entirely the case!

Certainly, having a Nano expert would be helpful in bringing your ideas to life. However, that doesn't mean you can't dream, imagine, and invent! As we mentioned in a previous blog post, it's often the non-experts who come up with the best ideas. Instead of focusing on what seems possible, think about what would solve your problem – whether it's magnetic wood, flexible stone, or self-assembling robots. Nanotechnology can make all of that possible. But the first step towards turning those wild ideas into reality is simply getting the idea itself.

Start with understanding the "Why" and the "What." The "How" will gradually reveal itself as you embark on your journey.

“Nanotechnology is an idea that most people simply didn’t believe.” – Ralph Merkle

Shout out to Prof. Eng.P.N. Kioni the out going VC Dedan Kimathi University

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