Chemistry in nanoscience and technology

Nanoscience is the study of materials on an atomic or molecular scale. Nanotechnology is the application of engineering, physics, and chemistry to create devices and systems that have novel properties at this size scale.

What is Nano-Science?

Nano-Science is the study of the basic science behind Nanotechnology and Nanoscience is a discipline that involves engineering nanoscale concepts into useful materials, devices and systems on a commercial scale. Technically, “Nano-” means one-billionth (10-9). Nano-science studies the fundamental properties and behaviour of matter at this scale and performs experiments in this regime using a wide range of techniques including optics, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopies, magnetic resonance techniques, etc. Research in Nano-science can provide information about how larger objects interact at an atomic level which could lead to improved understanding of large-scale phenomena such as water flow in rivers or how smoking tobacco affects human health.

Importance of Chemistry in nanoscience and technology:

Chemistry deals with the identification, characterization and manipulation of individual atoms by using various techniques like spectroscopy, crystallography, etc., in addition to the study of bulk matter. In Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Chemistry provides a strong foundation for understanding how to manipulate materials on an atomic scale. Below is an example of how we might relate these two concepts.

Chemistry provides the tools to ultimately understand the atomic structure of matter which is essential for making useful new materials on a commercial scale. Chemistry is involved in almost every aspect of researching and developing Nanotechnology. Chemistry is used to produce new materials, new products and different types of materials and other tools that can help create the many devices that Nanotechnology may someday make possible.

Chemistry also helps us understand how the structure of a substance will affect the properties it exhibits. The ability to alter these properties and behaviours by altering the chemical composition of a material provides another facet of understanding how matter behaves at an atomic level; an understanding that can be applied to many fields such as medicine, energy, information technology and manufacturing. Solids are all around us; for instance the glass that we use in the windows of our homes and buildings, metals used in our cars and appliances, even water comes in solid form at temperatures below 4°C (39°F). As a result of their large surface area and three-dimensional structure, solids exhibit unique properties (as compared to liquids or gases), many of which are beneficial to humans. Examples include high melting points that allow materials to be used as heat sinks or soldering materials to join together components of various devices. 

Advantages of Chemistry in Nano-Science and Technology:

Chemistry provides many tools to dissect matter at the nanoscale. We can examine how atoms interact with each other and their environment in order to understand the structure of a material and its properties. This knowledge is useful for creating new types of materials that have unique properties and uses as well as manipulating existing materials, such as improving their strength or conductivity. These improved materials may be used in a wide range of applications including medicine, information technology, high performance computing, electronics and green technology.

Chemistry provides many tools that are necessary for researching and developing Nanotechnology. A key science that must be included in the development of Nanotechnology is Chemistry. Chemistry can be used to create new types of materials, provide new products and improve existing materials by altering their chemical composition or structure. Chemists are also integral to many devices and systems that will be made with Nano-technology including semiconductors, integrated circuits, sensors, optical components and many others. Nanoscience is a field of science that deals with the study of matter on an atomic or molecular scale.

The ability to alter these properties and behaviours by altering the chemical composition of a material provides another facet of understanding how matter behaves at an atomic level; an understanding that can be applied to many fields such as medicine, energy, information technology and manufacturing.

Conclusion:

Chemistry plays a key role in almost every aspect of researching and developing Nanotechnology. From creating new materials to manipulating existing ones and improving them, Chemistry is involved in each step. In addition to this, Chemistry also provides many tools that are needed for researching and developing nanotechnology. The ability to alter the properties and behaviours of matter through chemistry provides another facet of understanding how matter behaves at an atomic level; an understanding that can be applied to many fields such as medicine, energy, information technology and manufacturing.