Did You Know
The National Science Foundation has estimated that 2 million workers will be needed to support nanotechnology industries worldwide within 15 years.
Federal funding for nanotechnology R&D has increased substantially since inception of the NNI, from $464 million in 2001 to an estimated $1,081 million in 2005. The 2006 budget request that President Bush has sent to Congress calls for a total NNI budget of $1,054 million.
The U.S. Golf Association has stated that golfers can now use balls that fly straighter than normal golf balls, thanks to Nanotechnology, for tournament play.
A buckyball is a molecule of carbon with a variety of applications, especially in the medical field. Also known as “Fullerines” because the 60 atoms that make up their spherical molecule resemble Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, they are lighter than plastic and stronger than steel.
A nanoparticle is a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometres. It is defined as a particle with at least one dimension <100nm
Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical carbon molecules with novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications. They exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat.
The term “nanotechnology” was defined by Tokyo Science University professor Norio Taniguchi in a 1974 paper.
The first mention of some of the distinguishing concepts in nanotechnology (but predating use of that name) was in “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, a talk given by physicist Richard Feynman at an American Physical Society meeting Caltech on December 29, 1959
Another way to visualize a nanometer:
1 inch = 25,400,000 nanometers
Red blood cells are ~7,000 nm in diameter
White blood cells are ~10,000 nm in diameter
A virus is ~100 nm
A hydrogen atom is .1 nm
Some of the most promising potential of nanotechnology exists due to the laws of quantum physics. Quantum physics laws take over at this scale.
Products, available today, that benefit from the unique properties of nanoscale materials, include:
- Bumpers on cars
- Paints and coatings to protect against corrosion, scratches and radiation
- Protective and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and cars
- Sunscreens and cosmetics
- Longer-lasting tennis balls
- Stain-free clothing and mattresses
There are one billion nm’s to a meter.
The word Nano is derived from the Greek word for midget, and “nano” is a metric prefix and indicates a billionth part (10-9)