Nanotechnology is defined as the fabrication of materials and devices with atomic or molecular-scale precision. It is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter (10-9 m); this means a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick, or that approximately 40,000 nanometers are needed to equal the width of an average human hair.

A nanometer-sized particle is smaller than a living cell and can be seen only with the most powerful microscopes available today. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ fundamentally and invaluably from the properties of individual atoms and larger micron-sized bulk materials.

As size decreases to the nano scale, there is a corresponding increase in surface area and surface energy. These unique properties are not present in larger particles. Nanotechnology R&D is directed toward understanding and creating improved materials, devices, and systems that exploit these novel properties.

Designed and controlled fabrication and integration of nanomaterials, as well as nano-enabled devices, are likely to revolutionize science and technology, undoubtedly solving many of the problems faced by mankind today. For instance, clean energy is one area where large-scale efforts are currently underway to integrate nano scale materials into solutions for hydrogen generation, solar energy, fuel cell development, and battery technology; others include antimicrobials, water filtration, and electronics manufacturing.

The ability to produce advanced nano-scale materials in commercial volumes is a necessary component to facilitate a company’s participation in mainstream markets. QuantumSphere has developed a fully automated, scalable, and environmentally safe manufacturing process that can yield superior quality nano metals and alloys in commercial volumes with consistent, narrow particle size distribution. In October 2007, QuantumSphere was awarded a key U.S. patent for its “Method and Apparatus for Forming Nanoparticles” with more than two dozen others pending in the areas of compositions, dispersions, processes, and nano-enabled commercial devices. The company has partnered with industry leaders to achieve mass-market penetration and distribution for its advanced catalyst materials and nano-enabled devices.

Sources: National Nanotechnology Initiative, QuantumSphere, Inc. For additional details, please see video demonstration, “What is Nanotechnology?”