A Chemist’s View of Nanotechnology: Small Science with a Big Impact

Professor Sarah Larsen from the University of Iowa will present a seminar on nanotechnology on Nov 2nd. Although it was unknown at the time, medieval artisans who crafted stained glass windows using small gold and silver nanoparticles were the first nanotechnologists.

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. Nanomaterials have at least one dimension of approximately 100 nm or less and this small size can lead to unusual size-dependent properties. For example, the gold nanoparticles used in stain glass windows have a ruby red color despite conventional wisdom that tells us that bulk gold should have a yellow color. Nanotechnology has come a long way since medieval times and has led to many new applications for nanomaterials in areas such as medicine, energy, the environment, and electronics.

Selected nanomaterials, their properties and applications will be highlighted in this talk. Specifically, porous nanomaterials, such as zeolites, and their applications in catalysis, environmental protection, and nanomedicine will be discussed.