Nanomaterials What are they?

Nano = 10-9 or one billionth in size Materials with dimensions and tolerances in the range of 100 nm to 0.1 nm Metals, ceramics, polymeric materials, or composite materials One nanometer spans 3-5 atoms lined up in a row Human hair is five orders of magnitude larger than nanomaterials. Nanomaterials Composition Comprised of many different elements such as carbons and metals Combinations of elements can make up nanomaterial grains such as titanium carbide and zinc sulfide Allows construction of new materials such as C60 (Bucky Balls or fullerenes) and nanotubes How are they made? Clay/polymer nanocomposites can be made by subjecting clay to ion exchange and then mixing it with polymer melts Fullerenes can be made by vaporizing carbon within a gas medium Current carbon fullerenes are in the gaseous phase although samples of solid state fullerenes have been found in nature Bucky Ball properties Arranged in pentagons and hexagons A one atom thick separation of two spaces; inside the ball and outside

 Highest tensile strength of any known 2D structure or element, including cross-section of diamonds which have the highest tensile strength of all known 3D structures (which is also a formation of carbon atoms) Also has the highest packing density of all known structures (including diamonds) Impenetrable to all elements under normal circumstances, even a helium atom with an energy of 5eV (electron Volt) Even though each carbon atom is only bonded with three other carbons (they are most happy with four bonds) in a fullerene, dangling a single carbon atom next to the structure will not affect the structure, i.e. the bond made with the dangling carbon is not strong enough to break the structure of the fullerene No other element has such wonderful properties as carbon which allows costs to be relatively cheap; after all its just carbon and carbon is everywhere Buckminsterfullerene uses Due to their extremely resilient and sturdy nature bucky balls are debated for use in combat armor Bucky balls have been shown to be impervious to lasers, allowing for defenses from future warfare Bucky balls have also been shown to be useful at fighting the HIV virus that leads to AIDS Researchers Kenyan and Wudl found that water soluble derivates of C60 inhibit the HIV-1 protease, the enzyme responsible for the development of the virus

 Elements can be bonded with the bucky ball to create more diverse materials including superconductors and insulators and can be used to fashion nanotubes Nanotube properties Superior stiffness and strength to all other materials Extraordinary electric properties Reported to be thermally stable in a vacuum up to 2800 degrees Centigrade (and we fret over CPU temps over 50C) and capacity to carry an electric current 1000 times better than copper wires Twice the thermal conductivity of diamonds Pressing or stretching nanotubes can change their electrical properties by changing the quantum states of the electrons in the carbon bonds They are either conducting or semi-conducting depending on the their structure Nanotube Uses Can be used for containers to hold various materials on the nano-scale level Due to their exceptional electrical properties, nanotubes have a potential for use in everyday electronics such as televisions and computers to more complex uses like aerospace materials and circuits Nanotubes- Applications Next-generation computer chips Ultra-high purity materials, enhanced thermal conductivity and longer lasting nanocrystalline materials Kinetic Energy penetrators (DoD weapon)

 Nanocrystalline tungsten heavy alloy to replace radioactive depleted uranium Better insulation materials Create foam-like structures called aerogels from nanocrystalline materials Porous and extremely lightweight, can hold up to 100 times their weight Improved HDTV and LCD monitors Nanocrystalline selenide, zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, and lead telluride to replace current phosphors Cheaper and more durable Harder and more durable cutting materials Tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide, and titanium carbide Much more wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant than conventional materials Reduces time needed to manufacture parts, cheaper manufacturing High power magnets Nanocrystalline yttrium-samarium-cobalt grains possess unusually large surface area compared to traditional magnet materials Allows for much higher magnetization values Possibility for quieter submarines, ultra-sensitive analyzing devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or automobile alternators to name a few Pollution cleanup materials Engineered to be chemically reactive to carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide More efficient pollution controls and cleanup

Greater fuel efficiency for cars Improved spark plug materials, railplug Stronger bio-based plastics Bio-based plastics made from plant oils lack sufficient structural strength to be useful Merge nanomaterials such as clays, fibers and tubes with bio-based plastics to enhance strength and durability Allows for stronger, more environment friendly materials to construct cars, space shuttles and a myriad of other products Higher quality medical implants Current micro-scale implants arent porous enough for tissue to penetrate and adapt to Nano-scale materials not only enhance durability and strength of implants but also allow tissue cells to adapt more readily Home pregnancy tests Current tests such as First Response use gold nanoparticles in conjunction with micro-meter sized latex particles Derived with antibodies to the human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone that is released by pregnant women

 The antibodies react with the hormone in urine and clump together and show up pink due to the nanoparticles plamson resonance absortion qualities