31
heat more efficiently (Dahotre and Nayak 2005). It is possible to make relatively
light structures, especially car body, more resistant to denting and scratching which
is very important in terms of durability and fuel consumption.
Resolution of displays is determined by size of pixels. Decreasing pixel size by
nanocrystals will provide displays with high definition. Nanocrystalline zinc selenide, zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, and lead telluride are potential candidates for
improving the resolution of monitors (Dresselhaus 1997).
Another area taking advantage of nanomaterials is structuring tougher and harder
tools used in cutting tools. Nano tungsten carbide and titanium carbide are relatively
much harder and more wear-resistant compared to their conventional counterparts.
These fascinating features enable faster and low-cost production (Fang et al.
2009a, b).
As portable electronic equipment like mobile phone, laptop have increased in
number, a great demand for relatively lighter batteries with high energy density has
also risen and batteries based on nanomaterials can store more energy than traditional batteries. Both storage capacity and life of the traditional batteries are relatively low. These obstacles can be overcome by replacing them with ones having
high storage capacity and life. Using nanocrystals, it is possible to achieve high
storage capacitors and batteries. It has been shown that nickel–metal hydride batteries based on nanoparticles require less frequent recharging and last longer due to
large surface area, in other words, high storage capacity (Banerjee et al. 2009).
Healthcare and personal care industries are other areas on which nanotechnology
has great impacts. Conventional materials used as implant and heart valves wear out
quickly and result in frequent and expensive surgeries. Since zirconium oxide
ceramics are hard, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, they can
be an acceptable substitute for traditional implants (Bollen 2017). Another noteworthy nanomaterial is silicon carbide which can serve as heart valve due to its low
weight, high strength, wear-resistant and inertness to the biological fluids (Bolz and
Schaldach 1990). Typical UV protection lotions do not have the desired quality and
their stable duration is low. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and manganese (II)
oxide have already been used in sun lotions in order to prevent harmful UV radiation (Smijs and Pavel 2011). By reducing free radical in the skin, nanoparticles can
prevent premature aging and skin cancer. Similarly, nano-sized iron oxide has been
used in lipsticks as pigment (Ali et al. 2016). The applications of nanoparticles are
not limited to the already mentioned disciplines. Another tempting application of
innovative nanoparticles has emerged in drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology
provides effective solutions to the limitations of current medicines, diagnosis and
treatment advances in therapeutic and diagnostic applications can open up possibilities to fight and cure cancer and other diseases. Due to their controllable properties,
excessive consumption and side effects can be significantly lowered. Medicine of
interest can be carried by nanoparticle to the targeted area. Then, therapeutic agents
are released in a controlled manner. In this case, the desired amount of suitable
nanoparticles is sent to the defected region via direct injection or by using electrical
and magnetic fields depending on their properties. When nanoparticles reached the
target, they are externally forced to vibrate and generate heat. Thus, controlling both
2 Nanomaterials and Human Health
heat more efficiently (Dahotre and Nayak 2005). It is possible to make relatively
light structures, especially car body, more resistant to denting and scratching which
is very important in terms of durability and fuel consumption.
Resolution of displays is determined by size of pixels. Decreasing pixel size by
nanocrystals will provide displays with high definition. Nanocrystalline zinc selenide, zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, and lead telluride are potential candidates for
improving the resolution of monitors (Dresselhaus 1997).
Another area taking advantage of nanomaterials is structuring tougher and harder
tools used in cutting tools. Nano tungsten carbide and titanium carbide are relatively
much harder and more wear-resistant compared to their conventional counterparts.
These fascinating features enable faster and low-cost production (Fang et al.
2009a, b).
As portable electronic equipment like mobile phone, laptop have increased in
number, a great demand for relatively lighter batteries with high energy density has
also risen and batteries based on nanomaterials can store more energy than traditional batteries. Both storage capacity and life of the traditional batteries are relatively low. These obstacles can be overcome by replacing them with ones having
high storage capacity and life. Using nanocrystals, it is possible to achieve high
storage capacitors and batteries. It has been shown that nickel–metal hydride batteries based on nanoparticles require less frequent recharging and last longer due to
large surface area, in other words, high storage capacity (Banerjee et al. 2009).
Healthcare and personal care industries are other areas on which nanotechnology
has great impacts. Conventional materials used as implant and heart valves wear out
quickly and result in frequent and expensive surgeries. Since zirconium oxide
ceramics are hard, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, they can
be an acceptable substitute for traditional implants (Bollen 2017). Another noteworthy nanomaterial is silicon carbide which can serve as heart valve due to its low
weight, high strength, wear-resistant and inertness to the biological fluids (Bolz and
Schaldach 1990). Typical UV protection lotions do not have the desired quality and
their stable duration is low. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and manganese (II)
oxide have already been used in sun lotions in order to prevent harmful UV radiation (Smijs and Pavel 2011). By reducing free radical in the skin, nanoparticles can
prevent premature aging and skin cancer. Similarly, nano-sized iron oxide has been
used in lipsticks as pigment (Ali et al. 2016). The applications of nanoparticles are
not limited to the already mentioned disciplines. Another tempting application of
innovative nanoparticles has emerged in drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology
provides effective solutions to the limitations of current medicines, diagnosis and
treatment advances in therapeutic and diagnostic applications can open up possibilities to fight and cure cancer and other diseases. Due to their controllable properties,
excessive consumption and side effects can be significantly lowered. Medicine of
interest can be carried by nanoparticle to the targeted area. Then, therapeutic agents
are released in a controlled manner. In this case, the desired amount of suitable
nanoparticles is sent to the defected region via direct injection or by using electrical
and magnetic fields depending on their properties. When nanoparticles reached the
target, they are externally forced to vibrate and generate heat. Thus, controlling both
2 Nanomaterials and Human Health