| What is the key advantage of nano particles? | high surface area to volume ratio because volume decreases more rapidly than their surface area. |
| what is the diameter of nano particles? | the diameter of a nano particle is between 1nm - 100nm. |
| what are some of the uses of nano-technology? | You can use them as catalysts to speed up the rate of the chemical reaction. Only the exposed surface area is essential. Therefore need much less of a material made of nanoparticles than a material made of bigger particles. Because the nano particles would have more surface area for the given volume.
another example is using nano-particles in electric circuits because some of them can conduct electricity. So you could make really tiny computer chips.
another use is in nano-medicine which is the use of nanoparticles in medicine. for example, scientists are currently researching how we can use fullerenes (made from carbon atoms) to deliver drugs around the body. since they are so tiny they think they can easily deliver drugs directly to the inside of our cells.
you can also use silver nanoparticles for anti-bacterial properties for example you can infuse them into surgical masks and plaster's to kill bacteria and reduce the chance of infection. |
| what are some issues with nano technology? | it is relatively new. so its effects on our bodies aren't fully understood.
some people think we need to regulate them more strictly and clearly label anything that might contain nanoparticles
until they have thoroughly been tested we cant be sure. |
| what is an example of all this? | if we use nanoparticles in sun cream it is more effective at protecting our skin against harm full uv rays and better skin coverage. but we are not sure if it can get into our bodies and damage our cells. and we don't know what happens when they enter the sea and it is possible that it damages the environment. |
