{"id":1302,"date":"2021-12-08T00:33:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T23:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lms.nanoproject.eu\/lms\/?post_type=unit&p=1302"},"modified":"2021-12-08T00:33:02","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T23:33:02","slug":"the-principals-of-the-contact-of-people-with-nanostructures","status":"publish","type":"unit","link":"https:\/\/lms.nanoproject.eu\/lms\/unit\/the-principals-of-the-contact-of-people-with-nanostructures\/","title":{"rendered":"The principals of the contact of people with nanostructures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where nanotechnological objects occur in nature<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nature creates a myriad of nanostructures, either intentionally, or unintentionally. The functionality of some of them can be commonly observed. For example, most plants get wet in contact with water, while droplets of water run down the surface of lotus leaves and blossom without adhering to the lotus. It is due to the water-repellent (hydrophobic) nanostructure of the surface of the lotus. By creating such nanostructure, nature creates more favourable conditions for living organisms, enabling them to survive and continue in successful evolution.<\/p>\n

Certain nanostructures are created in nature unintentionally. For example, at any given moment on Earth, there is a fire, volcanic eruption and other combustion processes releasing nanoparticles into the atmosphere. All living creatures, including humans, inhale such nanoparticles or absorb them otherwise. Our metabolism and immune system can usually handle such nanoparticles, processing most of them and eliminating them from the body. However, if the quantity of the nanoparticles entering the body exceeds the capacity of our metabolism and immune system, the consequences can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Definition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

The lotus effect<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite permanent exposure to dust, dirt, rain and other phenomena, leaves and blossoms of lotus remain clean and dry. The secret of the lotus blossom hides in its surface. Tiny bulges of just a few nanometers in height cover the surface of the leaf, protecting it from sedimentation of dirt and dousing with liquids. This ability of the lotus keeps its leaves constantly clean and dry, even in rain. Scientists used this particular nanotechnology to simulate the effect, creating surfaces that repel water, do not absorb liquids, and have self-cleaning properties.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Paws of the gecko can hold the animal reliably on the glass ceiling or wall of the terrarium. The adhesive segments on the bottom of the paws use molecular interaction (the so-called Van der Waals force) between their fine keratin hairs of 30 to 130 nanometers in length and the smooth surface the gecko crawls on. This method of attachment requires the ends of the hairs to \u201cwedge\u201d into the tiniest irregularities of the surface. They must approach the atoms of the surface at a distance at which the Van der Waals bond is created. Natures has thus created a remarkable nano solution.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"How intentional and unconscious we create nanoproducts<\/strong><\/p>\n

People have used nano solutions in the past without calling them that. Gold and silver nanoparticles were used in Persia already in 10th<\/sup> century B.C. to produce ceramic glittering glazes of beautiful colours. When the first glass workers added a small coin of gold into the melt, dying the glass red, they had no idea that they became nanotechnologists. Their discovery that molten gold turns yellow to red in nanoscale was a sheer coincidence.<\/p>\n

We use nano products in everyday life, e.g. in toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant, shampoo, beauty skin care and antibacterial products, etc. The use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials is very broad, such materials are used in many applications in many areas like<\/p>\n

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  • electronics (memory media, spintronics, bioelectronics, quantum electronics),<\/li>\n
  • healthcare (targeted drug delivery, artificial joints, valves, tissue replacement, disinfectant solutions of next generation, analysers, protective face masks),<\/li>\n
  • engineering (super hard low-friction surfaces, self-cleaning scratch resistant materials, machining tools),<\/li>\n
  • construction (new insulating materials, self-cleaning fa\u00e7ade coating, anti-adhesion tiles),<\/li>\n
  • chemical industry (nanotubes, nanocomposites, selective catalysis, aerogels),<\/li>\n
  • textile industry (non-shrinking, hydrophobic and non-staining fabrics),<\/li>\n
  • electric engineering (high capacity recording media, photographic materials, fuel cells),<\/li>\n
  • optics (optical filters, photopic crystals and photopic fibres, integrated optics),<\/li>\n
  • automotive industry (non-wettable surfaces, windscreen filters),<\/li>\n
  • aerospace industry (catalysers, durable satellite surface materials),<\/li>\n
  • defence industry (nano sensors, structural elements of space shuttles),<\/li>\n
  • environment (removal of contaminants, biodegrading, food labelling), etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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    Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Not many car owners realise that their vehicle is carried on the road by nano products \u2013 tyres. The tyre composition includes soot, i.e. nanoparticles produced by combustion of oil products. Soot as a filler constitutes about 30% of tyres. Soot adds rigidity and hardness to tyres and makes them resistant to wear and heat. As regards safety, it should be noted that as the vehicle moves down the road or in the terrain, micro- and nanoparticles are released into the environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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    What dangerous nanostructures we release into the environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

    People unknowingly produce nanoparticles by lighting a candle, a cigarette, fire in the fireplace or stove. However, a lot more dangerous is the effect of chemical substances bound to fine dust particles emitted into the air by industrial operations and the nanoparticles in combustion engine exhausts. Rubbing of a tyre against asphalt or other surface abrades and releases a large number of ultrafine particles into the environment. It is very important to reduce the undesirable concentration of such particles in our environment.<\/p>\n

    \"\"People are in contact with nanoparticles of different concentrations in their everyday life. They can experience increased concentration of nanoparticles at certain locations (industrial areas of cities) or during certain activities (sport shooting, smoking, fireworks), or while working at industrial facilities.<\/p>\n

    Targeted production of nanoparticles is currently relatively limited, but already now we need to do everything to ensure that industrially produced nanoparticles perform their function only where desired and do not enter spaces where they are not intended. In general, however, as long as nanomaterials are firmly anchored into larger units and not released uncontrollably into the environment, they can threaten neither the environment, not human health in any unknown way.<\/p>\n

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