nanotechnology

nanotechnology

nanotechnology is the science of matter with sizes in the range of 1 –

100 nm

(1 – 100 �10 − 9 m). These are scales of large molecules; for

example, the sizes of

some familiar matter are DNA, 1 – 2 nm; virus, 3 – 50 nm; and red

blood cell,

∼ 300 nm.

At these nano scales, matter behaves quite differently than it would

at the

macro level to which we are accustomed. Properties such as

conductivity,

magnetism, melting and boiling points, and reactivity may be dissimilar

at the

nano and macro scales due to the quantum mechanical behavior of small

structures at molecular dimensions.

nanotechnology provides a means to manufacture particles with very

high

surface area to mass ratio and, together with their unique properties,

may

provide opportunities for more surface interactions and biochemical

reactions

to ensue. One use of nanotechnology is for drug delivery devices.

Nano cages

with embedded drugs can be delivered to their targets with high

specifi city

and enable interactions to take place to alter the disease pathways.

Clinical trials are in progress where nano particle shells with

chemotherapy

drugs are tested on patients. It is believed that the nano shells can

seek out

cancerous cells and target them for destruction by the chemo drugs.