nanoparticle

noun nano·par·ti·cle \ ˈna-nə-ˌpär-ti-kəl , ˈna-nō- \

|Updated on: 23 Jul 2018

Definition of nanoparticle

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

Recent Examples of nanoparticle from the Web

The company used an injection of nanoparticles containing RNA for CRISPR to get the editing tool into liver cells.

— jocelyn kaiser, Science | AAAS, "Gene edited monkeys offer hope for heart disease patients," 9 July 2018
Scientists have tried everything from nanoparticles to homing-beacon bacteria to better target the disease.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "Spermbots Offer a Promising New Way to Target Cancer," 17 May 2018
In this case, the silicon carbide nanoparticles were infused into a molten magnesium zinc.

— jessica firger, Newsweek, "Scientists Create the Superman of Metals," 25 Dec. 2015
Gold nanoparticles can also be used to monitor cancer, says Matt Trau, a chemist at the University of Queensland.

— angela chen, The Verge, "How graphene and gold could help us test drugs and monitor cancer," 18 May 2018
What to look for: No nanoparticles Free from chemicals like oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate, octocrylene, and PABA Non-nano zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide for UVA/UVB (broad spectrum) coverage Lotion or balm, not spray.

— mandy ferreira, Sunset, "10 Sunscreens That Keep You and the Coral Reefs Safe," 22 Jan. 2018
The geometry for this form of microscopy was originally developed at the start of the 20th century to aid the study of nanoparticles.

— jonathan nylk, Scientific American, "Bendy Laser Beams Can Examine Human Tissue Like Never Before," 23 May 2018
So Ferrari developed a new way of making nanoparticles and his results were recently published in Nature Communications.

— angela chen, The Verge, "How graphene and gold could help us test drugs and monitor cancer," 18 May 2018
The glow emanating from the leaves of this watercress is the result of plant nanobionics, in which live plants are given unusual characteristics through the introduction of microscopic nanoparticles.

— mark ellwood, WSJ, "Your Next Desk Lamp: A Plant That Glows?," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nanoparticle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.