nanoparticle
noun
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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
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
When that sheet was pressed against sections of wet ice, the nanoparticles drew the liquid water up into the grooves, creating suction that pulled the material down into contact with the underlying solid ice within just 1.5 milliseconds.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025
The vaccine involves attaching tiny pieces of virus that remain unchanged across related strains to a nanoparticle.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Synthetic nanoparticles like ErythroMer have the same potential to host beneficial agents.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nanoparticle
Cite this Entry
“Nanoparticle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nanoparticle. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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nanoparticle
noun
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