Tiny Particles With a Big Impact

Nanoparticles, both natural and manmade, are tiny structures that range between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm) in diameter. Nanotechnology might seem new, but did you know that it was developed way back in 1856, when a famous scientist named Michael Faraday produced nanoparticles made of gold? Today, more than 150 years later, nanotechnology is changing how many industries function, and it is producing new products we use in our daily lives. Nanoparticles are microscopic—you cannot see them with the naked eye—and this allows them to have super-cool qualities. Structures made from nanoparticles make products stronger, lighter, more durable, and better at conducting electricity, to list just a few useful qualities. Scientists are actively studying nanomaterials, trying to figure out all the many ways we can use them to improve our lives (Figure 1).

Environmental Uses

We can use nanoparticles to help our environment and save our ecosystems. We all understand how important freshwater resources are, and we know that they are being polluted by chemicals, sewage, oil spills, and plastic. But did you know that nanotechnology can help clean up this pollution? For example, scientists have created magnetic, water-repellent nanoparticles that can remove oil from water after oil spills [1]. This not only cleans water sources during these accidents but also saves many fish and bird species that live in and use the water. Nanoparticles can also be used in chemical reactions that change harmful chemicals that pollute groundwater into harmless substances (Figure 2A) [2]. Some filters, like the ones in airplane cabins, have tiny, nano-sized pores—these filters are used to purify the air, so that passengers can travel safely. Because their design and the pores in the filters are so small, they can trap even the tiniest germs and other pollutants, reducing the risk of transporting harmful substances and germs from one place to another [3].

Electronic and Information Technology Uses

Nanotechnology also plays a key role in our daily lives through the ever-developing world of electronics and information technology (IT). Electronic parts are becoming smaller and smaller and gaining enhanced abilities thanks to nanomaterials. Nano-sized parts are already part of our daily lives, but often we do not even know they are there. For example, new ultra-high-definition television screens use quantum dots to produce more vibrant colors, thereby increasing the quality and improving the watcher’s experience when viewing their favorite movie (Figure 2B) [4]. The tiny dots also reduce the amount of energy a television uses, protecting the environment and reducing our electricity bills. Nanotechnology can also be found in our smartphones, thumb drives, keyboards, and even in hearing aids—products that many depend on in the modern world [5]. Do you know that scientists have even produced flexible electronics with nanotechnology? These include wearable sensors and electronics like flexible solar panels or devices that can be sewn into clothing, and even electronic paper that can be folded and rolled up. These are just a few examples of how nanotechnology can improve electronics and IT applications.

Healthcare and Medical Uses

Nanotechnology also improves our lives through healthcare and medical applications (Figure 3A). Nanomaterials inside medicine-containing capsules can help the medicine to be more effective, by getting it exactly where it is needed after it is swallowed. Nanomaterials can also be used in nose sprays that are inhaled. Scientists have even used “clever” nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapy medication directly to cancer cells, minimizing the damage to healthy tissues nearby and thereby greatly improving cancer treatments. This breakthrough could reshape cancer treatment approaches, significantly reducing the toxic effects of chemotherapy on healthy cells and potentially saving lives in the future.

Scientists have also produced nanoribbons made from graphene, and early studies show that nerve cells can thrive on these graphene surfaces. In the future, such technologies might be used to help repair spinal cord injuries in paralyzed patients [6]. Such innovative uses highlight the impact of nanotechnology in modernizing healthcare and medical research [7]. Scientists all over the world are recognizing nanotechnologies and nanoscience as important fields. In 2023, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov for their discoveries and contributions in the field of nanotechnology.

Textile and Clothing Uses

Have you considered that you might be covered in nanomaterials right now? The textile and clothing industry is changing drastically as it begins to use nanomaterials. Incorporation of nanomaterials into clothing could have uses in many fields, including health, pharmaceuticals, fashion, sports, military, and transportation. Some nanofiber-containing clothes are already being sold, and they have incredible properties like resistance to stains or to the sun’s dangerous UV rays. Fabrics can also be designed to contain antimicrobial features that kill germs (Figure 3B). This application can already be seen in socks that kill the bacteria that produce the odor from sweaty feet. Nanotechnology can also be used to create fabrics that are resistant to flames. Incredibly, scientists have also produced “smart” textiles that can change color in response to changes in the surrounding environment, such as changing color when the temperature changes; some of these items are already available in speciality shops [8].

In conclusion, although nanotechnology might sound like a futuristic field of study, it is already part of our everyday lives. Nanomaterials help us to protect our environment by cleaning the water and air that we all depend on. They have also led to modern advances in electronics and healthcare practices. Nanomaterials are even changing how we see ourselves, becoming part of the clothes we wear daily. New advances in nanotechnology are happening rapidly, so the examples we described in this article are only a small fraction of the advancements that we are likely to see in the near future!

Glossary

Nanoparticles: ↑ Tiny particles that range between 1–100 nanometers (nm) in diameter.

Nanotechnology: ↑ A field of science involving materials at the molecular scale smaller than 100 nm.

Quantum Dots: ↑ Extremely tiny particles that glow in different colors when light shines on them. Scientists use them to make bright reds, greens, and blues in screens and other technologies.

Chemotherapy: ↑ A type of cancer treatment that uses chemical substances to destroy abnormal cells.

Graphene: ↑ A form of carbon consisting of sheets with the atoms arranged in a honeycomb shape.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the University of Johannesburg for equipment and facilities, the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) for a partial doctoral grant to LL and NRF Support for Rated Researchers (Reference: SRUG22052013241-PR-2023) and University of Johannesburg Faulty and Central Research Committees for grants to AA-O.