Teachers Resources
The world of nanotechnology encompasses many different scientific disciplines and markets from biomedical devices to food packaging and computer circuitry to reinforced plastics.
Think of a market, and there’s an application for nanotechnology in there. In many cases, the development of the technology is at the cutting edge of science with many UK companies being at the forefront of these developments, but there is also a wealth of other development opportunities deep routed in the heart of UK industry going into everyday products we use around the home on a day-to-day basis. I hope this article can give you an insight into what nanotechnology is and how it will help develop the next technological revolution, and most importantly, how you could play a role in its future.
It would, however, be a grave error to simply regard nanomaterials (materials with particle size of between 1 and 100 nanometres or nm) as the next stage in miniaturisation. Of course, when you’re considering nano-scale engineering it’s impossible to avoid thinking about size – or rather lack of it. Human brains don’t work well when they try to conceive of something that is a million times smaller than a pinhead, so don’t waste time trying. Instead, we should free up our minds to do what they’re best at: being creative. This is when the really fascinating aspects of nanomaterials kick in. Once you’re ‘through the looking glass’ into the nanoworld, physical properties you always took for granted are regularly turned upside down.
All hype aside, the capability to construct materials at the atomic and molecular scale will cause even more widespread change to our lives than the silicon chip. Already hundreds of products are on sale which feature nanomaterials. From make-up to memory sticks — and that’s just for starters. Nanomaterials can display all kinds of unusual physical, electrical, chemical or optical characteristics. Iron eventually stops being magnetic, super-white Titanium Dioxide becomes transparent, ceramics can be made to stretch like chewing gum – the list is endless. In short, nanotechnology promises to provide designers and engineers with custom-made materials with remarkable – even unique properties.
For more information on nanomaterials and it’s various markets, click here
For a copy of the It’s a small world Teachers Handbook, click here
