Nanotechnology is the science and technology of working with materials at the atomic or molecular scale, also known as nanometrics. This includes the properties, composition and processing of materials at this scale. Nanomaterials are important to our lives today because they have applications in many industries including textiles, medical devices, electronics and energy technologies.
Nanotechnologies are
important because they can offer a number of advantages over traditional
technologies:
- They can be used to create
new materials that are stronger and more flexible than traditional materials,
so they could lead to new products.
- They can make existing
products better by improving their performance, for example by making them more
durable or reducing their cost.
- They could allow us to make
new kinds of products and processes that we cannot currently make with current
manufacturing methods, such as devices that work on very small scales and use
very little energy.
Nanotechnology is the study of
materials on the molecular scale, with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers.
The word “nano” means one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) or smaller. The word nano
refers to both the building blocks of matter and their method of application in
nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology deals with the manipulation of
matter at dimensions that are currently beyond reach using conventional
techniques.
Nanotechnology
is a broad term that includes several different technologies that have been
developed to manipulate matter at the nanoscale (from 1-100 nm), which is one
billionth of a meter. These technologies include:
- Nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes, graphene, and van der Waals heterostructures.
- Nanoparticles such as nanoparticles made from metals or semiconductors.
- Nanopore sensors for sensing chemicals or DNA sequences at the atomic level.
- Graphene transistors that can be made without interfering with electrical conductivity of semiconductors used in computer chips.
The
textile industry has a long history of producing textiles from natural fibres
such as cotton, silk, wool and others. Natural fibres are produced from plants
by mechanical processes such as spinning, weaving or knitting but these
processes require high temperatures and lots of water which can adversely
affect their performance characteristics.
The
textile industry is one of the most important sectors in the world economy. The
textile industry is one of the largest industries in the world, generating over
$1 trillion in revenue annually. It is directly responsible for 14% of all
manufacturing jobs and indirectly supports another 60%.
The
textile industry is made up of many different types of products, including
clothing, bedding, carpets and rugs, towels and napkins, curtains, blankets and
pillows. The use of nanotechnology within this industry has tremendous
potential to improve the quality of these products as well as their
functionality.
The
main purpose of nanotechnology is to reduce manufacturing cost by increasing
the productivity while improving quality of product. This nanotechnology engineering has been
used in textiles since 2000s because of its advantages; some of them are listed
below:
1)
High absorption rate: nano-fibers absorb water easily as compared to other
fibers which are not coated with nano-fibers but with synthetic polymers having
similar characteristics as natural materials but without any biological origin;
therefore they do not absorb water easily; hence they are less expensive than
ordinary fibers.
2)
Superior strength: nano-fibers have higher tensile strength than ordinary
fibers; therefore they can be used in applications where high strength is
required e.g., in cables or ropes etc.; moreover, these fibers have higher
elongation.
Nanotechnology
is used to make textiles with a shorter fiber length and a higher
strength-to-weight ratio. This can be achieved by using nanofibers with a
diameter of less than 100 nm, which is small enough to penetrate the human
body. The use of nanofibers also makes it possible to reduce the amount of
water that needs to be absorbed by fabric, thereby reducing its hydration time
and improving its breathability.
The
use of nanobeads in textile production has also made it possible to increase
the number of colors available for design purposes. Nanobeads are easier to
apply than traditional dyes because they do not require any complicated
machinery or chemicals. They can also be added into the production process
without causing any damage or altering their structure.
Nanotechnology
is used in the manufacturing process of many textiles. It is used to provide
more protection to fabrics from environmental factors, such as water and dirt.
Nano-engineered materials can be used to treat fabrics that increase their
durability and resistance to wear and tear. They also help you maintain your
clothing at its best by keeping it clean and fresh, making it easy to care for
your wardrobe all year round!
Nanotechnology engineering has been used in fabrics for many years. Nanocomposites are formed by blending
materials with nanoparticles (particles of 1–100 nanometers) where the fibers
are embedded into the matrix. The nanoparticles can enhance the strength of the
fiber and reduce its weight.
The
main area of research on nanocomposites is in high performance fibers such as
carbon-based fibers, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Twaron® and Dacron®. These fibers are
stronger than conventional ones but also lighter because they contain more than
50% by weight of carbon nanofibers.
Nanotechnology engineering can be used to enhance the quality and performance of textiles, from improving
their appearance to improving their strength and durability. Nanotechnology can
also help to create more sustainable fabrics by making them more resistant to
damage caused by UV light or wear and tear from repeated washing.
Nanotechnology
has been used to create new types of materials that are lighter weight and
stronger than traditional ones.
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