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The Ultimate Guide To Vitamins

2021-05-04T03:58:00.012-07:00

- Vitamin -

Vitamins are small amounts that our body needs to stay healthy and grow. These vitamins help in the activation of our body's enzymes, the body's production of energy, the functioning of the body's immune system, and the nervous system's functioning.

Who found the vitamin? when?

Dr. Casimir Funk

About 13 vitamins have been found so far. The first vitamin was discovered in 1883. At the time, sailors suffered from a neurological disorder named Beriberi disease. In Indonesia, a Dutch doctor discovered that the cause of these neurological disorders was not a germ, but thiamine deficiency. Later, Funk, a Polish doctor, introduced the name "vitamin" into medicine. He also said that diseases like rickets, scurvy and pellagra are caused by vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin types

There are 13 essential vitamins that are fundamentally important for our body's survival. These are divided into two types, water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.

1. Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid and all B group vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. Many of these are important for the body's vital metabolic functions. These also act as enzymes. Only a small portion of these vitamins are stored in the body. Most of it leaves the body. Therefore, it is best to take only the amount of vitamins your body needs daily.

2. Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamin A or retinol, vitamin D or cholecalciferol, vitamin E or tocopherol, vitamin K or quinone are fat-soluble vitamins.

Is there a connection between vitamins and immunity?

Immunity is the ability to resist disease. A person with vitamin deficiency may have a weakened body. People with weak bodies can get sick quickly. A healthy and healthy body needs good nutrition. Vitamins are essential for good nutrition.

Vitamins can be taken in the form of food as well as in tablets or liquids. The difference between these types is that the vitamins in the food are natural. They are available in small amounts as micronutrients in a balanced manner. This is a process that needs to happen daily. But the vitamins that can be given in pill or liquid form can be given in the prescribed amounts. Some allergies can be caused by overdosing on vitamins. Excessive intake of water-soluble vitamins can lead to headaches, nausea and vomiting. So the best thing is to get the vitamins your body needs from a nutritious balanced diet.

There is no need to take extra vitamins if you are accustomed to a proper diet in daily life. Pure vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, fish, milk, eggs, unrefined flour and sugar provide all the vitamins our body needs.

Vitamins, their functions and foods containing ;

1. Vitamin A or retinol

Functions of Vitamin A;

Performing body growth.
Developing the ability to immunize.
Improving eyesight.
Keeping skin, hair and various parts of the body healthy.

If Vitamin A deficiency in the body;

occurs Night Blindness.
Decreased tear production from the lacrimal glands leads to loss of smoothness on the inside of the eyelid and the surface of the eyes, resulting in Bitot spot and Xerophthalmia, or swelling of the eyes.

Foods containing vitamin A;

Animal liver
Shark liver oil
The Egg yolk
Butter
Margarine
Yellow corn
Carrots
pumpkin
Yellow sweet potato
Tomatoes
Yellow fruits
Dark green leaves and vegetables

2. Vitamin B1 or thiamine

Functions of Vitamin B1;

Supports carbohydrate metabolism.
Stimulates the body's metabolic functions.

If Vitamin B1 deficiency in the body;

Nerve function is impaired.
Beriberi disease occurs.
The limbs are often numb.
occurs Laziness, fatigue, and lethargy.

Foods containing vitamin B1;

Plain rice
Yeast
Sunflower seeds
Soybeans
Peanuts
Cowpea/Black-eyed pea

3. Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin

If Vitamin B2 deficiency in the body;

Occur laziness.
Swelling of the lips.
Swelling at both ends of the mouth.
The tongue becomes red and cracked.
Skin rashes occur.
Inflammation and tearing of the eyes occur.
It is difficult to look at the light.

Foods containing vitamin B2;

milk
The eggs
Soybeans
Sesame
Mung beans
Vegetables
Mushrooms

4. Vitamin B3 or Niacin

Functions of Vitamin B3;

Carbohydrates and proteins act as an enzyme in the process of fat formation in the body.

If Vitamin B3 deficiency in the body;

occurs physical weakness and inflammation of the skin.
Reddening of the tongue occurs.
Mental retardation occurs.

Foods containing vitamin B3;

Meats
Legumes
Oily seeds
Peanuts
pumpkin
sesame

5. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine

Functions of Vitamin B6;

Important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats.

Foods containing vitamin B6;

Red meat
The Egg yolk
Whole grain
Green vegetables
green leaves

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6. Vitamin B9 or Folate, Folic acid

Functions of Vitamin B9;

It is also important for amino acid metabolism and the production of essential body components.
It is also important for blood cell production and cell nucleation.

Foods containing vitamin B9;

animal liver
Legumes
Orange
Lime
Fish

7. Vitamin B12 or Cyanocobalamin

Functions of Vitamin B12;

Blood cells divide to maintain the proper structure of the nerves.

If Vitamin B12 deficiency in the body;

occurs spinal cord Diseases.
Causes diseases such as constipation and urinary incontinence.

Foods containing vitamin B12;

milk
The eggs
Meats

8. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid

Functions of Vitamin C;

Helps in the metabolism of fats, proteins, amino acids and iron.
Contributes to the production of a type of protein called collagen that is spread throughout the body.
Contributes to the production of new tissues in the body.

If Vitamin C deficiency in the body;

Maybe occurs scurvy disease.
Wound healing is delayed.
Impairs bone growth.
Gum causes bleeding and tooth loosening.
Oral infections occur.
Blood vomiting may occur.
Bleeding may occur with stool.

Foods containing vitamin C;

Orange fruits
Strawberry
pineapple
Papaya
Guava (Fruit Pera)
Gooseberry
cashew
Gotukola (Centella asiatica)
Katurumurunga (Hummingbird Tree/Sesbania grandiflora)
Mukunuwenna (Alternanthera sessilis)
Green vegetables
Potatoes
sweet potatoes
Jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)
Tomatoes
Mango

9. Vitamin D or Calciferol

Functions of Vitamin D;

Regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

If Vitamin D deficiency in the body;

The bones are weak.
Nerve function is impaired.
Numbness of the limbs occurs.
Growing children do not get enough vitamin D, which causes rickets or Knock knees.

Foods containing vitamin D;

Animal and fish liver oil
The Egg whites
Fatty fish
milk

10. Vitamin E or tocopherol

Functions of Vitamin E;

Reduces skin wrinkles and ageing rate.
Prevents damage to the arteries caused by ions of heavy metals entering the body.

If Vitamin E deficiency in the body;

When you wake up in the morning there is a melancholy nature.
Skin wrinkles occur.
Decreased muscle function.
The muscles are quickly overturned.

Foods containing vitamin E;

Peanuts
cowpea
Mung Seeds
Green vegetables and leaves

11. Vitamin K or quinone

Functions of Vitamin K ;

Helps blood to clot.

If Vitamin K deficiency in the body;

Excessive bleeding can occur in cases such as injuries due to delayed blood clotting.

Foods containing vitamin K;

Yoghurt
Cabbage
Grain
fruits
Meats

This shows that vitamins are very important for our body but should not be taken in excess. It is better for our body to take vitamins naturally than to take vitamins in pill or liquid form. Therefore, by getting a nutritious balanced diet whenever possible, we can easily get the vitamins our body needs. Thus, by exercising daily with nutritious food, you can achieve a healthy body free from diseases.

Read our another article about Nanotechnology: https://flythroughscience.blogspot.com/2021/03/an-introduce-to-nanotechnology.html

An Important Matter You Should Know about Coral Reefs

2021-04-09T05:01:00.001-07:00

What Are Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are one of nature's most beautiful aquatic systems that adorn the coastline. It is the most valuable resource in the ocean. Coral reefs are a growing species. Coral reefs have similar biodiversity to tropical rainforests. Coral reefs are also known as ocean rainforests. This is the habitat of many-coloured coral reefs. Also, due to the protection and abundance of food associated with these coral reefs, the population of various species such as fish and mollusks is very high. Therefore, it plays an important role in protecting the beach, the survival of the fishing industry and the tourism industry. Corals are divided into two main categories.

1. Hard Corals - An outer shell made of calcium carbonate.

2. Soft Corals - Slightly calcium carbonate inside.

Coral formation ;

Corals are made from an organism called 'coral polyps'. The polyp is a very soft and transparent animal. This creature resembles an inverted jellyfish. They belong to the genus Cilantarata. There is a hole in the centre of the body. It's like a belly. The receptors around the mouth carry food to the mouth. They create a calcium carbonate structure outside their body and are more active at night than during the day. If part of this calcium carbonate structure breaks down, the animal will die in a few weeks. Corals are formed by the accumulation of large numbers of such animals. Thus, thousands of such shells are deposited on rocks over a long period of time to form a coral population. The corals that are created in this way get different colours from this polyp. But polyp has no colour. This is the colour of the algae that live in the body of the polyp.

Coral and Zooxanthellae are two groups that coexist. Both of these types receive feedback from each other. This Zooxanthellae is an algae species. This Zooxanthellae is a single-celled plant species. The Zooxanthellae use solar energy to synthesize photosynthesis and produce oxygen and other nutrients. The polyp provides habitat and respiratory carbon dioxide to zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae provide a portion of the food produced and oxygen to the Polyp.

The corals created by the combination of all these have been growing slowly for thousands of years. Some corals grow as small as 15cm per year. But coral does not grow on every coast. It requires a special ecosystem suitable for it.

1. The temperature of the ocean water should be between 2 and 24 degrees Celsius.

2. The salinity range of ocean water should be between 30% - 35%.

3. Sunlight should be well below the ocean floor.

4. There should be a clear water level with fewer sea waves.

If the temperature of the ocean changes even slightly at once, it can be harmful to the corals. Coral reefs grow only up to 50m below sea level. This is because sunlight does not travel through water for more than 50 meters.

Corals ;

Corals are divided into 3 parts according to their location.

1. Fringing Reefs

These are located in shallow ocean areas very close to the coast. There are two types of Fringing Reefs. The first is the front part or interface. These grow very well as they face the ocean. This is because these corals receive good water flow because they do not deposit silt.

The other type of rock is the flat coral reef. These grow near the land and take a flat shape.

Corals grow very slowly during warmer climates. This is because too much sunlight causes water to evaporate and become saltier.

2. Barrier Reefs

These are designed as a barrier between the coast and the sea. The interface and the flat surface can be seen in the Fringing Reef as well as in the barrier reefs. But the barriers are far from land. The peculiarity of these reefs is the formation of a deep and wide lagoon in the region between the flat reef and the shore of the barrier reef. This lagoon grows very well coral and grows very beautifully and vigorously. The part of the lagoon that forms is called the Inner Reef. The largest barrier coral reef in the world is located in Australia. It is called the Great Barrier Reef.

3. Atolls Reefs

These are located in the oceans far from the continents. These are called small coral islands. The corals are shaped like a circle. These are formed by the growth of coral around the top of a submerged volcano or around the tops of submerged mountains in the ocean. These Atolls Reefs form small islands. These corals are home to small micro-organisms such as crustaceans, shells and conchs, and sponges.

Some of the coral species we see in the ocean ;

Picture of Coral Reef

* Black Coral

* Acropora

* Astreopora

* Poritidae

* Agaricidae

* Gorgonian

* Pocilloporidae

* Cup Coral

* Mussidae

* Meandrinidae

* Anatomy

* Fungilldae

* Montipora

* Pectinidea

* Oculinidea

* Variable Soft Coral

Coral Reef Fish Species ;

Fish in Coral Reefs

* Parrot Fish

* Angel Fish

* Grunt

* Snapper

* Goat Fish

* barracud

* Scorpion Fish

Why are Coral Reefs Important?

Coral reefs are the most important side of the ocean. They perform many other functions, including beautifying nature. Its significance is as follows.

Significance of coral reefs ;

* Acts as a barrier to reduce marine erosion.

* Being an important marine system that provides food and habitat for various fish and aquatic life

* To make fish and living organisms suitable breeding places.

* Importance as suitable areas for fishing.

* Being an environment that attracts tourists.

* Helping to create islands.

* Slowing down the speed of fast ocean currents.

* Importance for lime production.

* Important for the production of various medicines.

Causes of coral reef destruction ;

Today, coral reefs are being destroyed day by day due to human activities. Coral grows less than 1 mm in a year.

The main causes of this coral reef destruction are as follows.

1. Demand for animals such as limestone quarrying and ornamental fish

With the increasing population and the increasing demand for limestone for construction, the coral reefs have been largely destroyed due to excessive limestone breaking. Coral reefs can also be damaged by trying to catch ornamental fish and ornamental animals such as oysters.

2. Excessive fishing and the use of unfavourable methods for fishing.

The destruction of coral reefs by large nets used by fishermen to catch more fish is very high. The other dangerous method is to put dynamite. Corals also vibrate when dynamite explodes. Even a very large layer of coral is destroyed by such a shock.

3. Water pollution.

The coral reefs are also destroyed by the effluent from tourist hotels and other places.

By adding burned fuel to the ocean by watercrafts such as boats, Submarines.

By anchoring. Also, coral reefs are damaged by divers and bathers.

4. Silt deposits in coral reefs.

Due to flooding caused by the clearing of river basins, the silt that builds up in the rivers is washed away into the sea and binds around the coral reefs. This threatens the survival of the corals.

5. Conditions such as storms and tsunamis.

Coral reefs can also be damaged by strong waves and rough seas.

6. Threats of predators and the spread of predatory epidemics.

Coral reefs can also be destroyed by biological factors, such as predators. For example, eating the polyps on coral reefs by starfish.

7. Diseases of coral reefs and coral bleaching.

Coral bleaching is caused by the high temperature of the seawater and the increase in sunlight (ultraviolet rays). That is, they lose their colour. This is due to the lack of zooxanthellae plants to feed the polyp. With this prolonged stay, this polyp dies. Also, coral reefs can be destroyed by diseases.

Worldwide coral reefs ;

It is believed that the corals originated in and around the Philippines and then gradually spread from the shallow regions to the east and west. It extends eastward into the western seas of Australia (the Great Barrier Reef). It did not expand beyond that because of the depth and size of the Pacific Ocean. Corals extend westward through Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, the Red Sea, and East Africa to Madagascar. Below that, the coral did not spread due to the extreme cold. From Madagascar to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, is the ocean region with the highest biodiversity.

World-famous coral reef ;

Great Barrier Reef

* Great Barrier Reef - The largest coral reef system in the world, covering about 2,000 square kilometres [2,000 sq km] off the east coast of Australia.

* Belize Barrier Reef - The world's second-largest coral reef system, extending from southern Quintanaro, Mexico, down the Belize Coast to the island of Honduras.

* Red Sea coral reefs off the coast of Egypt to Saudi Arabia.

* Puli Ridge - The deepest photosynthetic coral reef in Florida.

* New Caldney Barrier - The second-largest double barrier reef in the world, about 1,500 km long.

What to do to protect coral reefs ;

* Minimizing the amount of dirty water that accumulates in the sea along rivers and canals.

* Preventing oil spills to the sea from ships and pipelines.

* Stopping methods harmful to corals used in the fishing industry.

* stop getting live coral for the lime industry.

* To make people aware of the value of coral reefs.

* Proper enforcement of regulations imposed to protect coral reefs.

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Everything You Need To Know About Born of the Earth

2021-03-15T03:07:00.012-07:00

Born of the Earth-

Earth is our home in this never-ending universe. As the people who live on earth, we should know about born of the earth. There are several theories about the birth of the entire solar system, including this planet, which is inhabited by humans and many other species. The most widely accepted of these is the "nebula theory." The Sun, the planets, and their sub planets were formed by the condensation of a large nebula full of air and dust. Although scientists could not say for sure how life on Earth came to be, after a thorough study of the species, they came up with several theories. The most widely accepted of these are theories about the Big Bang and evolution.

The Big Bang-

Our Solar System

According to theories, 15 billion years ago the universe was just a small group of particles. Everything in the universe, not just the galaxies, the stars, the planets, but even the matter that made up our bodies were trapped in this tiny cluster of particles. Over time, this group of particles exploded. This is called the 'Big Bang'. The universe was created by the unimaginably high heat and energy released there. Slowly stars, planets, etc. were created. The theory that the universe was created by a massive explosion was proposed to the world in 1931 by the Belgian Astronomer George Lemaitre (1894-1966). Confirming this in 1950, the British astronomer Fred Hoyle named it "The Big Bang Theory". Meanwhile, a medium-sized yellow star formed in the centre of the galaxy called the Milky Way. This is our sun. Nine planets were created around it. (Pluto is known as a dwarf planet, so there are 8 planets in our solar system). Our planet is the third largest planet from the Sun.

Sir Fred Hoyle

Belgian Astronomer George Lemaitre

Born of the Earth: The Origin of Life on Earth-

In 1953, Stanley Miller and Harold Yuri at the University of Chicago recreated the Earth's old atmosphere in a special way and extracted molecules such as amino acids, ribose, and adenine, which are essential for life. Their system was designed with a gas chamber containing methane, ammonia, and water, and a high-energy discharge chamber to provide lightning for the ancient Earth. According to current information, the Earth Had not always forever and formed 4.5-5 billion years ago. The first living things came into being later.

Earth is currently estimated to be about 4700 million years (4.7 billion) years old, as a result of previous experiments. But at that time the earth was very different from what it is today. The beautiful sky, the ocean, the green colour did not exist then. At that time only red and brown colours could be seen. This is because the Earth's surface is covered by hot lava oceans. The atmosphere at that time was very different from what it is today. That is, at that time the atmosphere was an atmosphere of toxic gases. For the first 500 million years, the Earth was just a lifeless lava ball. About another 300 million years later, the heat increased exponentially. After about 800 million years, the Earth's crust, which was composed of molten rocks, gradually cooled off. Then millions of years of continuous rain flooded the lower parts of the earth, creating oceans, ponds, and so on. But this was an atmosphere full of toxins such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, methane and cyanide and it is Not fit for life.Our barren planet today has become a fertile planet full of life. Scientists say that this is due to evolution. In the beginning, there were no living things in the ancient oceans of the earth, but there were chemicals needed for life to exist. These chemicals are not living things. They were scattered in the Earth's oceans. This is called the "Primordial Soup" which is rich in nutrients. It contained amino acids, proteins, etc., which are essential for the formation of life. Therefore created a favourable environment to have life because of the ancient oceans. The idea for this "Primordial Soup" was put forward By the union of Thomas Huxley, Ravel Carson, J.B.S. Holidin and A.I. Oparin. The nutrients needed for life to form had been scattered in the water for millions of years. Scientists speculate that the first of these cells were formed by lightning strikes. These cells later became animal and plant cells. Life first descended from the sea. That was billions of years ago. Microbial plants first appeared before humans. These can only be seen through a microscope. These microbial plants were preyed upon by each other. Thus began life on earth. Fossil bacteria have also been identified as the world's oldest living organism. In 1985, a fossil that looked like a stick-like bacterium was discovered in South Africa. This was discovered by Elso Berghun of Harvard University. Examination of this fossil bacterium revealed that it was about 3100 million years old. It has now been proven that this bacterium is the oldest living organism on Earth.

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Born of the Earth: The Evolution-

Evolution of Invertebrates-

Evidence scientists have discovered that the Earth has been inhabited by various species of animals for about 3.8 billion years (3800 million) years. First, single-celled animals and second-celled animals may have descended to earth. An explorer of the past can uncover millions of species of animals, from microorganisms to the first vertebrates. Invertebrates (Without spine) are one of the most special species Emerging in the ocean and undergoing various changes about 500 million years ago. In the past, the oceans were full of these animals. Thus, the leeches, lizards, and worms we see today are the evolution of those primitive invertebrates.

Evolution of vertebrates-

There are Many vertebrates (Have a spine) that inhabit the earth today. This includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals as well as humans, including humans. Vertebrates first originated in the sea. The spines of the bodies of several sea creatures developed. They are also the first fish to emerge. As their fins grew and they began to breathe through the lungs, some of them came ashore and began to evolve and adapt to the environment.

Evolution of fish-

The evolution of fish, a species of vertebrate, has a special place. Discoveries so far suggest that jawless fish may be the world's first inhabited vertebrates. These are called "Austracordum". Several species of Austracordum jawless fish that lived in the past include the species Hemsyclaspic, Terespis, Pharyngolopis, and Thelodus. These jawless fish grew up and inhabited freshwater rivers and streams from the sea. An example of this is the "Lamprey" species that later survived, although these jawless fish later became extinct.

The first fish with jaws was called "Placordum". Some of these fish lived in the sea and part in freshwater reservoirs. Fish belonging to this genus include Clematis, Dionysus, Acanthus and Botriolopis.

Then came the "Cartilage Fish". They have soft cartilage instead of bone. The body is soft but the teeth, fins and spines are strong. They lived during the Devonian stage of the Mesozoic era. It was also during this period that all bony fish evolved. Their speciality is that they have lungs. They are thought to have been born freshwater. But today most of them are gone extinct. Thus, fish with lungs became extinct about 70 million years ago.

Evolution of amphibians-

In order for the world's fish to adapt to land, their fins must be transformed into strong legs. Icthyostega is the first amphibian to evolve and set foot on land. Fossils of this animal have been found in rocks dating back to the Devonian period in Greenland. They are believed to have evolved specifically from the Crosopterigi fish. The fins of this animal were transformed into toes. Today, the salamander is the only surviving relative of an ancient amphibian. Reptiles are thought to have evolved from amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders that inhabit the world today. Therefore, amphibians can be described as the animals that started landing.

Evolution of Reptiles-

It is possible that the amphibians, which evolved from the aquatic environment to land, later evolved into reptiles. Fossilists point out that the Permian-era environmental changes may have contributed to the evolution of these reptiles. The "Seymouria" fossil found near the city of Seymour, Texas in the United States, confirms that the amphibians evolved into reptiles. This animal is considered to be a link between amphibians and reptiles.

After the creation of the earth, time is divided into parts or chapters. These are called 'Eras'. These eras are further subdivided into periods. These are called 'epochs'. These periods are thus divided according to how the rock layers were formed. The first geo-cycle was created in 1760 by the geologist Giovanni Arduina. He has divided the Earth's rocks into 3 parts. That is, primary or old, middle or intermediate, tertiary or modern. Important periods related to this are the Ordovician period, the Devonian period, the Carboniferous period, the Permian period, the Triassic period, the Cretaceous period, the Tertiary period and the Charthian period.

This marked the beginning of environmental vegetation in the Ordovician period, the formation of bony fish in the Devonian, the formation of tropical forests in the Carboniferous, and the emergence of vertebrate terrestrial animals. Reptiles began to migrate to land during the Permian period. Later, during the Triassic, dinosaurs began to dominate the earth and the first mammals emerged. During the Jurassic period, reptiles ruled over land, ocean, and sky. The Cretaceous period is the period in which dinosaur extinction occurred. During this time the growth of flowering plants and the origin and evolution of sharks and bony fish took place. It was during this tertiary period that mammals began to rule the world. Conifers and grasslands were also created during this period. The period from 6 million years to the present day is known as the Cretaceous. The most important event here is that modern humans were born during this period (Human Evolution). The origin and evolution of modern life took place during this period. So, Finally after millions of years of evolution, the genius man reigns on the earth today.

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An Introduction to Nanotechnology

2021-03-07T03:32:00.008-08:00

What is a "nano"? ("Nano" meaning)

The English word "nano" is derived from a Greek word meaning dwarf. That is, nano means extremely small. Then nanotechnology can be taken as a scientific art that can create very useful things for human beings from nanoscale particles between 1nm and 100nm. At this nanotechnology, nanoscale particles can be manipulated as needed.

How small are the "nano" particles?

Nanoparticles range in size from 1nm to 100nm. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. That is, 1 nm = 10^-9 m. For example, when we take a bacterial cell and a DNA molecule, we can observe the bacterial cell with a light microscope. That is, bacterial cells are microscopic particles. But a DNA molecule can only be observed with an electron microscope. This is because the DNA molecule is a nanoscale particle. This will give you an idea of how small the nanoparticle is.

For example, if a man is 2 meters tall, his height is 2 billion nanometers. Also, a red blood cell is about 10000nm in diameter and a DNA molecule is about 2.5nm wide. Also, the thickness of a human hair tree is about 80000nm and the thickness of an ordinary newspaper is about 100000nm.

History of Nanotechnology

The origins of nanotechnology are linked to nature. The best example of this is when a lizard can go under the roof because of the nanoscale particles on its feet. Also, a spider weaves a spider web using nanoscale particles. Although it is not known what nanotechnology is, ancient humans have used nanoscale particles at various times. As a corroborating fact that. Nanoscale gold particles were used to create the 4th-century Roman trophy (deposited in the British Museum) called The Lycurgus Cup. Also, nanoscale particles have been used to create the glare of 9th-17th century stained glass. However, the American physicist Richard Feynman (1918-1988) is credited with awakening the modern interest in nanotechnology. In 1959, in a public lecture entitled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom," he proposed the idea ofan incredibly subtle world in which atoms and molecules could be used as tools to create various substances. In 1974, Professor Norio Taniguchi, a Japanese engineer named the field "nanotechnology". This nanotechnology then took a big step forward during the 1980s. That was after the publication of the controversial book "Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nano Technology", written by Dr K. Eric Drexler. Nanotechnology did not advance properly until the use of the electron microscope became popular. It was also during this decade that nanoscale microscopes capable of manipulating atoms and molecules were developed.

Dr K. Eric Drexler

Richard Feynman

The behaviour of a nanoparticle

At the atomic and molecular level, matter behaves differently. Although the substance is the same, its physical and chemical properties change when its size is 100nm or less. At the nanoscale, for example, the optical, mechanical, electromagnetic, and magnetic properties of matter change as well as their chemical reactivity.

Examples: -

* Copper (Cu) metal is transparent at the nanoscale.

* At the nanoscale, carbon (C) can be converted into a non-conductive material.

* The strength of carbon nanoparticles is several times higher than that of steel.

* Gold metal appears in different colours at the nanoscale depending on the size and shape of the particles. This is because as the particles get smaller, the amount of light that the particles absorb and scatter is also smaller.

Gold particle colour

1nm yellow smoke
20nm red
100nm purple

* Creams that protect the skin from the sun contain zinc oxide, which prevents UV rays from entering the skin. Zinc oxide appears white because it emits visible light (white light) in the same way. But at the nanoscale, zinc oxide is colourless because it does not reflect ultraviolet light.

Properties of nanoparticles

1. The surface volume ratio increases.

The surface volume ratio of a nanoparticle (surface area/volume of a nanoparticle) is high. The smaller the particle, the larger the surface volume ratio, and the larger the colliding particle size. Therefore, various properties not found in large particles can be seen in these nanoscale particles.

2. The motion of particles is fast.

We cannot see the motion of large molecules. They are also slow. But on a smaller scale, such as the nanoscale, particles move faster.

3. Melting and boiling points are low.

The melting point is the temperature at which an element presents in a solid-state. The temperature at which it evaporates is boiling. Normally in a solid, the particles that makeup it can move freely when it is in a liquid state. But because those particles are so small at the nanoscale, their field-to-scale ratio increases, increasing the number of molecules released to the outside. It then releases more particles at low energy. Therefore becomes liquid at lower temperatures. It also evaporates at lower temperatures.

4. More rigidity.

A lot of things that are usually not so strong and not easily broken At the nanoscale, it is highly rigid, highly flexible and does not break easily. For example, a flawless silicon nanosphere has a rigidity of about 50 gigapascals. It is four times as hard as the silicon that exists en masse.

Scientists have developed electron microscopes that can see and manipulate nanoscale particles. These include Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), and Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM).

Chemistry Nanomaterial

Among the nanoparticles, the nanoparticle-based on carbon element occupies a prominent place. The carbon element exists in several different forms. Graphite and diamonds are the main ones.

1. Graphene:

Graphite has a layered structure. Scientists have been trying for decades to separate a single layer from these. Andri Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, both scientists at the University of Manchester, were able to separate one layer from the multilayer structure of graphite, a significant breakthrough in science. They were awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for this valuable achievement. This is considered one of the most significant events in the history of science.

Andre Geim

Konstantin Novoselov

Graphene is a single layer of graphite with a thickness of 0.5nm. It has unique properties due to its very large surface area. It is highly flexible and exhibits high mechanical properties. It also exhibits unexpected electronic and electrical properties. This is expected to be widely used in electronics applications today and in the future.

2. Carbon nanotubes:

Carbon nanotubes can be made by rolling a single layer or several layers of graphene. The tube obtained by rolling a single graphene layer is called a Single Wall Carbon Nano Tube (SWCNT) and the tube obtained by rolling several layers is called Multi-Wall Carbon Nano Tube (MWCNT).

3. Fullerene:

Another nanocarbon form is Fullerene. Fullerene is a molecule made up of about 60 carbon atoms in the shape of a football. Its diameter is close to 1nm.

4. Activated carbon with nanoscale pores:

Coconut shell charcoal. Wood charcoal. Coal. Peat, etc., is used as the raw material to produce activated carbon. These have a high absorption capacity and are used to purify water and remove contaminants from wastewater.

Today, nanotechnology is used in many fields, including medicine, agriculture, electronics, polymers, cosmetics, food, and textiles.

Uses of nanotechnology

1. Medical science (Nanotechnology in medicine)

* New diagnostic tools have been developed. It has been shown to increase treatment opportunities and enhance therapeutic potential. Nanotechnology is used to diagnose and treat diseases such as atherosclerosis. One way is by nanoparticles similar to HDL molecules, which are good cholesterol in the body, and removes the fat layer in the blood vessels.

* Nanotechnology is developing therapeutic methods to treat cancer cells directly without harming healthy tissue.

* Bone and nerve tissue remodelling treatments using nanotechnology is emerging.

* Adds nanoparticles to skin creams to protect them from harmful sun rays and enhances the quality.

* Nanotechnology is used to easily know the blood sugar and cholesterol levels of patients.

2. Transport sector

* Nanotechnology can be used to produce lightweight as well as fuel-efficient cars, aircraft, boats and spacecraft.

* Nanotechnology produces high-powered rechargeable batteries, temperature control devices, low-wear tires, thin solar panels, highly efficient and inexpensive sensors.

3. Energy generation

* By using the Enzymes produced by nanobiotechnology can convert the cellulose in the wood powder, corn husk, etc into ethanol fuel.

* Electrical wires made of carbon nanotubes with very low resistance and good stress resistance are used to minimize wastage during power transmission.

* Produces low-cost solar panels with high efficiency. Future solar panels will be flexible in the type and can be printed like paper.

* Nanotechnology can be used to make very thin solar panels that can be attached to computer covers, clothing, etc. and generate electrical energy through wasted energy such as light, friction, and body heat.

4. Electronics

* Nanotechnology has made it possible to produce fast and very small transistors for computer transistors. The average transistor is 130nm-250nm and by 2015 its size was around 7nm.

* Nanotechnology can produce flexible, collapsible, washable, flexible and solar-powered electronics. This makes it possible to produce very thin, lightweight, unbreakable, durable and efficient smart electronics.

* Nanotechnology is used to make memory chips, audio equipment, and keyboards with antibacterial coatings.

5. Production of consumer goods

* Nano surgical spectacles, computer and television screens and doors, windows, glass, etc are does not absorb ultraviolet rays and does not travel infrared radiations. Also, It has the ability to self-clean from water and microorganisms.

* Nano polymers are highly rigid, lightweight, and durable, and are used in the manufacture of sports equipment, helmets, bicycles, auto parts, and weapons.

* Nanotechnology is used to produce high-quality detergents, bleaches, air filters, water filters, bactericidal and non-abrasive paints.

* Produces dirt, dust, oil particle resistant clothing and textiles.

* Nanotechnology is used to purify water quickly and inexpensively at water treatment plants.

* Nano-sized perforated air filters made using nanotechnology to filter out debris such as dust in places such as aircraft cabins.

* Nanotechnology is used to make flexible and durable aluminium, steel, tar, cement, etc.

Is the future secure because of nanotechnology?

As with any technology application, nanotechnology can have adverse effects. Here are some of them:

* Pollution of air, water, and soil by the addition of nanoscale particles to the environment is called nano pollution.

* The accumulation of nanoparticles in human and animal bodies can cause health problems.

* The production of nanoscale chemical or biological weapons can cause catastrophic events.

To minimize the adverse effects of nanotechnology,

* Nano-scale air pollutants in the smoke can be removed by filtering the harmful gases produced during combustion through nanoscale filters.

* The use of nanoscale particles can remove natural pollutants such as arsenic from the environment.

* Such gases can be removed using nano-sensors that are sensitive to harmful gases.

Read our another article about born of the Earth & Evolution;

https://flythroughscience.blogspot.com/2021/03/everything-you-need-to-know-about-born.html