OBJECTS IN THE REAL WORLD VERSUSOBJECTS IN THE NANO WORLDDone by: Reynold 3P3 (19)

COPPER

PROPERTIES OF COPPER

Hard vs. Soft In normal circumstances, as objects decrease in

sizes (in other words, become finer), their mechanical strength increases. Copper do not differ.

However, research have shown that at nanoscale, copper displays unexpected mechanical properties.

Instead of increasing in mechanical strength, copper becomes softer instead. This happens when copper is as small as 15nm or smaller.

PROPERTIES OF COPPER

Electrical conductivity Research have shown that the electrical

conductivity of copper is size-dependent. As the size of copper decreases, so does its electrical conductivity.

PROPERTIES OF COPPER

Appearance Copper in large sizes are opaque whereas in

small sizes (nanorods/ nanowires), copper appear transparent.

NANO COPPER IN USE…

Nano copper can be used in/for… Making nano wires (next slide) Making conductive coating of metal and

metalloid surface. Heat conduction and abrasion resistant

NANO COPPER USED FOR MAKING NANO WIRES As nano copper is transparent, it is ideal for thin-

film solar cells, flat-screen TVs and computers, and flexible displays.

They perform better than the usual carbon nanotubes.

In addition, they are much cheaper than the silver nano wires as they are abundant in the Earth’s crust and are easy to obtain.

NANO COPPER USED FOR MAKING NANO WIRES

However… They are brittle, making it unsuitable for flexible

screens. The production process is inefficient. Its price is increasing due to increase in demand.

SILICON

PROPERTIES OF SILICON

Electrical insulator vs. electrical conductor In large sizes, silicon are electrical insulators.

Whereas in nanoscale, silicon conducts electricity instead.

NANO SILICON IN USE…

Nano silicon can be used in/for… Making solar energy conversion more efficient (in

detail on next slide) Aiding tumor treatment (in detail on following

slide)

NANO SILICON INCREASES SOLAR-CELL EFFICIENCY

In normal solar panels, each solar cells convert one photon to one electron

Research have shown that one silicon nano-crystal can convert one photon to two to three electrons! This improves efficiency as the same amount of

solar energy can be converted to more electrical energy.

This efficiency is new and unheard of in the solar industry

NANO SILICON AIDS TUMOR TREATMENT

Nano silicon is porous and have pores that are so tiny only particles of atomic sizes can pass through

This is helpful as it helps to control the right amount of drug released into the human body during surgery as only certain amount of particles, and particles of the right size, can pass through the nano-sized pores.

REFERENCES

Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy (2009, February 5). Super Strong Nanometals: Ductile Copper Made Four Times Stronger Than Commercial Material. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 7, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/02/090204085400.htm

Jin Xuesong, X. H. (2008, February 5). The electrical conductivity characteristics of Fe/Cu nano-scale multilayer materials. Science in China Series E: Technological Sciences , 83-88

REFERENCES

Duke University (2010, June 2). Copper nanowires enable bendable displays and solar cells; Pin-like copper structures self-assemble in solution. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 8, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/06/100601114722.htm

REFERENCES

Zhang, P. (n.d.). Nanotechnology research leads to molecular-scale batteries and motors. Retrieved June 8, 2010, from Engineer Live: http://www.engineerlive.com/Asia-Pacific-Engineer/Materials_Handling/Nanotechnology_research_leads_to_molecular-scale_batteries_and_motors/15635/

Shanghai Huzheng Nano Technology Co., Ltd. (2008, December 7). Nano copper powder and solution. Retrieved June 8, 2010, from himfr.com: http://www.himfr.com/d-p114384691088997000-Nano_copper_powder_and_solution/

Green, H. (2007, August 16). Silicon Nano Crystals Could Triple Solar Efficiency. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from Ecogeek: http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/889/83/

pSivida. (2004, June 18). Nano silicon boosts tumour fight. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3812987.stm