Applications for Nanoparticles
While nanoparticles are important in a diverse set of fields, they can
generally be classified as one of two types: engineered or nonengineered.
Figure 2: Carbon black, commonly used to enhance the properties of
manufactured rubber, is clearly visualized using the NANO-R™.
Scan size is 2чm x 2чm.
Engineered nanoparticles are intentionally designed and created with
physical properties tailored to meet the needs of specific applications.
They can be end products in and of themselves, as in the case of quantum
dots or pharmaceutical drugs, or they can be components later incorporated
into separate end products, such as carbon black in rubber products. (AFM
images of carbon black nanoparticles are shown in Figure 2.) Either way the
particle's physical properties are extremely important to their performance
and the performance of any product into which they are ultimately incorporated.
Nonengineered nanoparticles, on the other hand, are unintentionally
generated nanoparticles, such as atmospheric nanoparticles created during
combustion. With nonengineered nanoparticles, physical properties also
play an important role as they determine whether or not ill effects will
occur as a result of the presence of these particles.
Depending on the application of interest, nanoparticles may be known by
a number of alternative and trade-specific names, including particulate
matter, aerosols, colloids, nanocomposites, nanopowders, and nanoceramics.
Some industries with engineered nanoparticles:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Performance chemicals
- Chemical mechanical polishing
- Quantum dots
- Biodetection and labeling
- Ceramics
- Food products
- Cosmetics
Some industries with nonengineered particles:
- Environmental detection
- Environmental monitoring
- Controlled environments
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