Materials Science and Chemistry

Nanomaterials

A material having particles or constituents of nanoscale dimensions, or one that is produced by nanotechnology is a Nanomaterial. They are of types like carbon based, metal based, dendrimers and composites. Useful applications can be observed in the cases of nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, green nanotechnology, energy applications of nanotechnology, industrial applications of nanotechnology, potential applications of carbon nanotubes and nanoart. The characteristic properties of nanomaterials show wide usage in the current trending technology of material design. The general methods of synthesis are Bottom-Up approach which includes the chaotic and controlled processes and Top-Down approach which includes various methods of nanolithography. Current applications of nanoscale materials include very thin coatings used, for example, in electronics and active surfaces (for example, self-cleaning windows). In most applications the nanoscale components will be fixed or embedded but in some, such as those used in cosmetics and in some pilot environmental remediation applications, free nanoparticles are used. The ability to machine materials to very high precision and accuracy (better than 100nm) is leading to considerable benefits in a wide range of industrial sectors, for example in the production of components for the information and communication technology, automotive and aerospace industries.