December 5, 2017

What's Nano in Your Life?

When talking with the other TPS fellows after seminar recently, we began discussing applications for nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are composed of units that are 1-100nm in at least one dimension(1). We came up with many research applications, but were surprised to learn of the numerous consumer products employing nanomaterials. Nanomaterials can be divided into three general categories: 3D nanostructures, and bullk nanostructures.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotube#/media/File:Carbon_nanoribbon_povray.PNG

3D Nanostructures

Nanoparticles and nanotubes are perhaps the best known nanostructures, and fall into the 3D nanostructure category. Commercially available products containing suspended nanoparticles include: Mustela Bebe/Enfant High Protection SPF 50 Sunscreen, Awake Nano Lotion, and Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 Cosmetic Products. A search of the Nanotechnologies Consumer Products Inventory returned 174 cosmetic Products containing nanoparticles(2). An example of naturally occuring nanoparticles are viruses. Viruses are protein shells surrounding nucleic acid contents. Much like commercially available nanoproducts the purpose of a viral nanoparticle is to deliver the contents to difficult-to-reach areas.

2D Nanostructures

graphene is the best example of a 2D nanostructure. It is the one-atom thick sheet of carbon atoms that stack to form graphite. It is highly electrically conductive, and offers lightweight, incredibly stronf structural support. Discovered in 2004, it has found application in battery electrodes, Siren Technology's tamper-proof packaging, and Catlikes's cycling gear(3).

Bulk Nanostructures

Nanomaterials are rarely suited to provide structural support like graphene does. To incorporate the desired properties of a 2D or 3D nanomaterial within a commercial product, multiple materials are often needed. Nanocomposites are formed by immobilization of the nanomaterials into or onto other, larger materials such as fabric, glass, polymer, or plastic. Commercially available products containing nanocomposites include: solar panels, plush toys, glow in the dark bouncy balls, hair dryers, televisions, and thousands more.