Jasmine and Kiana
Nanotechnology present times
Education
Full
time/part time uni courses in nanotechnology, (ranging from a 6 month certificate
to a 2 years masters degree) are available to Flinders University, developing a
greater understanding of nanoscience by learning the basic scientific concepts,
the properties of materials and biomaterials at the atomic/molecular level.
Learning to recognise and develop ideas using a range of laboratory methods,
fabrication and characterisation tools in nanotechnology. Such as various
microscopes, surface modification and molecular level construction methods.
This allowing the students communication, problem based and critical thinking
skills to promote lifelong learning in their future careers, whilst furthering
research and future development of nanotechnology.
Products
As you may
know, working a molecular scale allows us to manipulate properties and
structures at a nano scale; you could be surprised as to how many products on
the market right now are currently benefitting from this technology.
Products
such as....
· Sunscreen –
Many containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide, being smaller
particles than the original formulas, allowing the sunscreen to rub into the
skin without leaving a whitish tinge.
· Self-cleaning glass – A product called
“Active glass”, offered by a company called Pinlkington
use nanoparticles in a range of products, contributing photocatalytic and
hydrophilic glass.
The
photocatalytic effect means that when UV radiation from light hits the glass,
nanoparticles become energized and begin to break down and loosen organic
molecules on the glass (in other words, dirt). Hydrophilic means that when
water makes contact with the glass, it spreads across the glass evenly, which
helps wash the glass clean.
- Clothing - Scientists are using nanoparticles to
enhance your clothing. By coating fabrics with a thin layer of zinc oxide
nanoparticles, manufacturers can create clothes that give better
protection from UV radiation. Some clothes have nanoparticles in the form
of little hairs or whiskers that help repel water and other materials,
making the clothing stain-resistant.
- Scratch-resistant coatings - Engineers
discovered that adding aluminum silicate nanoparticles to
scratch-resistant polymer coatings made the coatings more effective,
increasing resistance to chipping and scratching. Scratch-resistant
coatings are common on everything from cars to eyeglass lenses.
- Antimicrobial bandages - Scientist
Robert Burrell created a process to manufacture antibacterial bandages
using nanoparticles of silver. Silver ions block microbes' cellular
respiration. In other words, silver smothers harmful cells, killing
