nanoparticle

noun

nano·​par·​ti·​cle ˈna-nə-ˌpär-ti-kəl 

ˈna-nō-

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

Did you know?

Nanoparticles of a material usually have very different qualities from those that the material has at its ordinary scale, which is one reason why there's such excitement about the possibilities for how they might be used in future technologies. Many uses have already been developed. Aluminum nanoparticles added to rocket fuel can make the fuel burn twice as fast and release much more energy. Silicon nanoparticles are increasing the energy efficiency of solar cells by allowing the energy from ultraviolet light to be captured for the first time. Other nanoparticles are now helping prevent rust in metals, produce stronger batteries, enhance the diagnosis of cancer, and improve the filtering of water, and the number of other applications is growing fast.

Examples of nanoparticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An older study published in the British Journal of Dermatology uncovered the presence of microscopic nanoparticles in tattoo ink.9 Nanoparticles can penetrate the skin's layers and travel through the bloodstream to the brain and other areas of the body. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

According to The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia’s renowned natural history museum, new technology has only increased the need for science illustrators, who can help bring either nanoparticles or galaxies to a comprehensible scale; a handful of colleges have science illustration programs. —Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2024

Yet the mRNA molecule and the lipid nanoparticle required to deliver the vaccine can trigger an immune response in addition to the reaction that helps the body develop protective antibodies. —Nicole Lurie, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2021

Mena said the researcher's findings illuminate how far technology has come because it's long been difficult to detect nanoparticles in the water that comes in water bottles. —Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nanoparticle

noun

nano·​par·​ti·​cle -ˌpärt-i-kəl 

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

drugs bound to biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles