nanoparticle

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

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of nanoparticle

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

Recent Examples of nanoparticle from the Web

Research shows that its incredible properties are due to the presence of silver and gold nanoparticles, which change color depending on the observer’s location.

— doug main, The Atlantic, "Humankind’s Most Important Material," 7 Apr. 2018
The researchers coated conventional paper with nanoparticles of two chemicals: Prussian blue, the pigment that gives blueprints their characteristic color, and titanium dioxide, a substance used in sunscreens.

— mark peplow, Scientific American, "Reprintable Paper Offers Sustainable Alternative to the Printed Word," 1 June 2017
Angstron Materials, in Dayton, Ohio, makes similar claims about its nanoparticles for lithium-ion batteries.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "The Battery Boost We’ve Been Waiting for Is Only a Few Years Out," 18 Mar. 2018
Sila Technologies has built prototypes that solve the problem by using silicon and graphene nanoparticles to make the technology more durable, and says its design can store 20% to 40% more energy than today’s lithium-ions.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Lithium-Silicon Batteries Could Give Your Phone 30% More Power," 18 Mar. 2018
These materials are thought to be safe, though studies have suggested that titanium dioxide might have adverse health effects when prepared as nanoparticles.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Create a Super-White Coating, with Help from a Super-White Beetle," 15 Mar. 2018
Nanoscale Views is written by Douglas Natelson, a physicist at Rice University whose research group tries to tease out the properties of nanoparticles and other super-small structures.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "The sometimes bizarre world of condensed matter physics is interesting. Really.," 3 Feb. 2018
Engineers at the University of California, Los Angeles, used a combination of ceramic silicon carbide nanoparticles and magnesium.

— jessica firger, Newsweek, "Scientists Create the Superman of Metals," 25 Dec. 2015
If ever damaged beyond repair, it can also be soaked in a solution that separates out the silver nanoparticles and then be recycled into new e-skin.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "This Electronic “Skin” Already Has a Sense of Touch. Now It Can Also Heal Itself," 16 Feb. 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.