The term “nanotechnology” refers to areas of science and engineering where materials, structures, devices, and systems are designed, characterised, produced, and used. Nanoscale phenomena are employed in this context. Although there are numerous examples of nanoscale (also known as the nanoscale) structures in the natural world, including vital molecules in the human body and food components, and although many technologies have unintentionally involved nanoscale structures for many years, it has only been possible to actively and intentionally alter molecules and structures within this size range in the last 25 years. The ability to handle objects at the nanoscale scale sets nanotechnology apart from other branches of technology.
Scope and Definitions
Nanotechnology and its products, which are usually created for particular purposes, have many definitions. The fundamental scientific ideas behind nanotechnology have been given priority in this opinion because they are thought to be more important than the precise wording of a definition. The Committee believes that the definition of nanoscience and nanotechnology provided by the UK’s Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering in their 2004 report (Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering 2004) adequately conveys these ideas. As a result, it can be concluded that the nanoscale ranges from the atomic level (approximately 0.2 nm) to about 100 nm. Materials in this range can have significantly different properties than the same substances at larger sizes due to the noticeably increased ratio of surface area to mass and the fact that quantum effects start to become important at these dimensions, leading to significant changes in several types of physical properties.
Objects on the nanoscale are those with at least one dimension of 100 nanometers or smaller. Nanoscience studies events and material manipulation at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales, where properties change significantly from those at larger scales. In the design, characterisation, production, and use of structures, electronics, and systems, nanotechnology controls shape and size at the nanoscale.
Compared to a material without nanoscale characteristics, a material with one or more external dimensions or an inner structure may have different properties. A particle having one or more nanoscale dimensions is called a nanoparticle. (Note: In this paper, it is assumed that nanoparticles have two or more dimensions at the nanoscale.)
A composite with at least one of the components having a nanoscale dimension is called a nanocomposite. The terms used by the various sectors haven’t always been constant, even though nanoscience and nanotechnology have been extremely popular in recent years. Additionally, as this report makes clear, there have been and still are significant difficulties in accurately measuring nanoscale parameters, making it challenging to have complete confidence in data and conclusions about specific phenomena related to specific characteristics of nanostructures and nanomaterials.
Despite the possibility of conflicts and mistakes in the literature, this opinion acknowledges the inevitable nature of the situation and has drawn some general conclusions. The nanoscale currently has dimensions of up to 100 nm. However, this opinion acknowledges that some publications may have depicted the nanoscale as having larger dimensions than 100 nm. Particles have been categorised as ultrafine, exemplary, or conventional in a large portion of particle research, particularly on aerosols, air pollution, and inhalation toxicity. Unless otherwise stated, “ultrafine particles” in this study are assumed to be almost equivalent to nanoparticles.
