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In nanotechnology, scientists use atoms and molecules to build materials that can be used in many areas, such as health care, clean energy sources, and electronics. These nanomaterials, which typically measure between 1 and 100 nanometers, can have surprising properties.
Sections
Activities
- Designing an Effective Respiratory Cloth Mask from AACT
Students use unit conversion to help compare sizes of molecules, viruses, and droplets and then use them to interpret graphical data. - The Discovery of Fullerenes from ACS National Historic Chemical Landmark Programs and AACT
Learn about a class of compounds called fullerenes, connected to metric conversions, organic chemistry, and allotropes.
- Nanotechnology: The Smallest Big Idea in Science from ACS Celebrating Chemistry
A magazine dedicated to exploring the chemistry of nanotechnology through several articles, activities and more.
Demos
- NNIN Nanotechnology Demonstration Guide from the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
This demonstration guide contains 14 short activities, each only ~10 minutes to complete.
- Fun with Nanotechnology from Teach Engineering
A series of three teacher-led demonstrations to show samplers of real-world nanotechnology applications involving ferrofluids, quantum dots and gold nanoparticles.
Labs
- Sandy Beaches—A Foray into ‘Magic’ Sand from AACT
Students investigate the properties of magic sand and learn about the concept of hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules and get an introduction to the field of nanotechnology.
Articles
- The Battle Against Body Odor from ChemMatters magazine
To prevent embarrassing body odor, you can invest in clothing infused with odor-busting silver nanoparticles.
- As a Matter of Fact: How Small is a Nanoparticle? from ChemMatters Magazine
Very small particles called nanoparticles are being used in an increasing number of everyday products.
- Coronavirus Nanoscience: The Tiny Technologies Tackling the Global Pandemic from The Conversation
Watch out, Covid! Here come tiny tech tools to work on taking you down.
- Nanotechnology from Explain That Stuff
Shrink yourself to the nano to understand its scale and how it works.
- Careers and the Chemical Sciences: Nanochemistry from the American Chemical Society
You've probably already bought products that were developed using nanochemistry. But, who's doing the developing?
- Exploring Nanotechnology's Daily Applications from ACS Axial
Nanoparticles are, by definition, tiny: Collections of molecules or even just atoms, less than 100 nm wide – smaller than 1/100th the size of a grain of sand.
Videos
- Can Silver Nanoparticles Combat Your Stink?
from ACS Reactions
Some clothing makers try to harness the antibacterial power of silver to combat the smell of sweat from your workouts -- now with added nanotechnology.
- Monster Magnet Meets Magnetic Fluid
from Brainiac75
Ferrofluid reacts spectacularly near any magnet, but even better near such a large and powerful magnetic pole surface - even with a surprising shape on the spikes!
- Chameleons Are Masters of Nanotechnology from ACS Reactions
What do chameleons have to do with nanotechnology? These color-changing lizards are some of nature’s wackiest animals, all because they’re masters of pigment and light.
- A Powerful Solution from National Science Foundation
A new type of solar cell using nano-sized crystals called quantum dots are already helping to produce brighter, more vivid color in displays. The ability of solar cells to efficiently process energy in the form of light also makes them an ideal solution to our energy problems. - Nano-enabled Sensors and Nanoparticles from National Science Foundation
Some of the biggest advances in medical technology may soon come from devices built on the nanoscale. Learn how the use of nanotechnology may one day sense, diagnose, and even treat cancer.