Types
- Descending (top-down): Mechanisms and structures are miniaturized at the nanometric scale — from one to 100 nanometres in size —. It is the most frequent to date, especially in electronics.
- Ascending (bottom-up): Start with a nanometric structure — a molecule, for example — and through a mounting or self-assembly process to create a larger mechanism than the one you started with.
- Dry nanotechnology: It is used to manufacture structures in coal, silicon, inorganic materials, metals, and semiconductors that do not work with humidity.
- Wet nanotechnology: It is based on biological systems present in an aqueous environment — including genetic material, membranes, enzymes, and other cellular components.
Uses
- Electronics – Carbon nanotubes are close to replacing silicon as a material for making smaller, faster and more efficient microchips and devices, as well as lighter, more conductive, and stronger quantum nanowires. Graphene’s properties make it an ideal candidate for the development of flexible touchscreens.
- Energy – Nanotechnology also lowers costs, produces stronger and lighter wind turbines, improves fuel efficiency and, thanks to the thermal insulation of some nanocomponents, can save energy.
- Biomedicine – They are used to produce medicine for cancer and in the manufacture of products like sunscreen.
- Environment – Air purification with ions, wastewater purification with nanobubbles, or nanofiltration systems for heavy metals are some of its environmentally friendly applications.
- Food-nano biosensors could be used to detect the presence of pathogens in food or nanocomposites to improve food production by increasing mechanical and thermal resistance and decreasing oxygen transfer in packaged products.
- Textile – This technology is used to manufacture stronger, lighter and more durable materials to make motorcycle helmets or sports equipment.