INTRODUCTION
The prefix nano in the word nanotechnology means a billionth (1 x lop9).
Nanotechnology deals with various structures of matter having dimensions of the
order of a billionth of a meter. While the word nanotechnology is relatively new, the
existence of functional devices and structures of nanometer dimensions is not new,
and in fact such structures have existed on Earth as long as life itself. The abalone, a
mollusk, constructs very strong shells having iridescent inner surfaces by organizing
calcium carbonate into strong nanostructured bricks held together by a glue made of
a carbohydrate-protein mix. Cracks initiated on the outside are unable to move
through the shell because of the nanostructured bricks. The shells represent a
natural demonstration that a structure fabricated from nanoparticles can be much
stronger. We will discuss how and why nanostructuring leads to stronger materials
in Chapter 6.
It is not clear when humans first began to take advantage of nanosized materials.
It is known that in the fourth-century A.D. Roman glassmakers were fabricating
glasses containing nanosized metals. An artifact from this period called the Lycurgus
cup resides in the British Museum in London. The cup, which depicts the death of
King Lycurgus, is made from soda lime glass containing sliver and gold nanoparticles. The color of the cup changes from green to a deep red when a light source is
placed inside it. The great varieties of beautiful colors of the windows of medieval
cathedrals are due to the presence of metal nanoparticles in the glass.
Introduction to Nunotechnology, by Charles P. Poole Jr. and Frank J. Owens.
ISBN 0471-07935-9. Copyright 0 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
1
The prefix nano in the word nanotechnology means a billionth (1 x lop9).
Nanotechnology deals with various structures of matter having dimensions of the
order of a billionth of a meter. While the word nanotechnology is relatively new, the
existence of functional devices and structures of nanometer dimensions is not new,
and in fact such structures have existed on Earth as long as life itself. The abalone, a
mollusk, constructs very strong shells having iridescent inner surfaces by organizing
calcium carbonate into strong nanostructured bricks held together by a glue made of
a carbohydrate-protein mix. Cracks initiated on the outside are unable to move
through the shell because of the nanostructured bricks. The shells represent a
natural demonstration that a structure fabricated from nanoparticles can be much
stronger. We will discuss how and why nanostructuring leads to stronger materials
in Chapter 6.
It is not clear when humans first began to take advantage of nanosized materials.
It is known that in the fourth-century A.D. Roman glassmakers were fabricating
glasses containing nanosized metals. An artifact from this period called the Lycurgus
cup resides in the British Museum in London. The cup, which depicts the death of
King Lycurgus, is made from soda lime glass containing sliver and gold nanoparticles. The color of the cup changes from green to a deep red when a light source is
placed inside it. The great varieties of beautiful colors of the windows of medieval
cathedrals are due to the presence of metal nanoparticles in the glass.
Introduction to Nunotechnology, by Charles P. Poole Jr. and Frank J. Owens.
ISBN 0471-07935-9. Copyright 0 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
1