Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale.
It is concerned with structures roughly 1 to 100 nanometres in size.
A nanometre is one billionth of a metre.
At this size, many materials exhibit different properties compared to their larger-scale counterparts.

Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are materials that exist on a nanoscale (from 1 to 100 nanometers).
They can be metals, semiconductors, or polymers.
Nanoparticles exhibit a greater surface area to volume ratio compared to their larger counterparts. This can lead to increased reactivity.

Nanoparticles can have different optical, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical properties.
Their unique properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications.
For instance, they are used in medicine delivery where they can target specific cells, in catalysis to improve the rate of chemical reactions, and in electronic devices to enhance performance.
In material science, they can improve strength, shimmer, or decrease weight of materials.

Nanotubes are cylindrical nanoparticles. Carbon nanotubes are strong and conductive, used in electronics and materials to make them lighter yet strong.
Graphene is an atomic-scale honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms. It is extremely strong for its weight, conductive, and nearly transparent. It can be used in solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), touch panels, and smart windows.

Due to the unique behaviour of nanoparticles, potential health risks are not fully understood. They can potentially penetrate the skin or be inhaled.
Proper regulation and risk assessment protocols are required for the responsible development of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology also imposes certain ethical concerns, including issues of equity and access, and potential dual-use applications in the military sector.