Nanoscience

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Nanoscience
Nanoscience _at_Cambridge
IRC in Nanotechnology
James Bendall Nanoscience Centre IRC in
Nanotechnology University of Cambridge Email
jsb53_at_cam.ac.uk Web http//www.nanoscience.cam.a
c.uk
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Definitions

• Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and
  manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular
  and macromolecular scales, where properties
  differ significantly from those at larger scale.
• Nanotechnology is the design, characterisation,
  production of and application of structures,
  devices and systems by controlling shape and size
  at the nanometre scale.

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Surface area

• Surface area proportional to 1/size
• Given 1cm3 of material 1cm3 cube 6cm2 1mm3
  cubes 6m2 1nm3 cubes 6000m2
• Proportion of surface atoms 1cm3 cube 1 in
  107 1mm3 cube 1 in 103 1nm3 cube 80

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Properties at the nanoscale - optical
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Lycurgus chalice 400AD
70nm particles of gold and silver
Johann Kunckel 1670, Germany
Diffused light
Focussed light
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• Nanotechnology has given us the toolsto play
  with the ultimate toy box of nature atoms and
  molecules. Everything is made from it.The
  possibilities to create new things appear
  limitless
• Horst Stormer
• Lucent Technologies and Columbia University,
  Nobel Prize winner.

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Shape - synthesis
Temperature (900-1190C)
Big catalyst flower
Cone
Flowers
Nanowires
Pressure (1-20 Torr)
Nanowires flowers
Graphite
Flow rate (50-500 sccm)
Family of SiC nanostructures
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Same elementdifferent properties

• Semiconductor
• Perfectly symmetrical molecule

• Hard
• Electrical insulator

• Soft
• Electrical conductor

• Strong
• Metallic or semiconducting

CARBON
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World Funding for Nanotechnology (2004)
Source European Commission(2004) Private
figures based on upon Lux Research
Courtesy E. Andreta
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Predicted value of Nano Industry

• Many studies of the MNT industry have been
  carried out
• and have predicted the future value of business
• Estimated at 1,000 million p.a. in 10 years
  time
• It is not just the value of the MNT industry that
  is important, but
• also the economic impact MNT will have across
  manufacturing,
• the medical field, and defence
• Additional annual sales of nearly 3,000
  million p.a. in new
• or improved industrial products and medical
  systems are
• predicted through the use of MNT devices in
  10 years time

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Key MNT Market Areas for the UK

• Healthcare and Biotechnology
• Automotive and Aerospace
• Information and Communications Technologies
• Food and Drink
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Advanced Materials
• Energy
• Security and Environmental

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Nanotechnology for water applications

• Nanomembranes for water purification,
  desalination, detoxification
• e.g. carbon nanotube
• engineering

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Nanotechnology for water applications

• Nanosensors for detection of contaminants and
  pathogens

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Nanotechnology for water applications

• Nanoporous material for water purification

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Nanotechnology for water applications

• Oxide nanomaterials for pollution degradation
• Magnetic nanoparticles for water treatment and
  remediation