Presence (Jasmine) (Kiana)

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