Nanoteadustes

Nanoteadustes is the Estonian term for nanoscience. Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales, where properties differ significantly from those at a larger scale. This field typically deals with structures that are on the order of 1 to 100 nanometers in at least one dimension. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. To put this into perspective, a human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide, and a red blood cell is about 7,000 nanometers wide.

The unique properties of materials at the nanoscale arise from their high surface area to volume ratio and quantum mechanical effects. These properties can include altered optical, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical characteristics. For example, materials that are opaque at the bulk scale can become transparent at the nanoscale, or metals that are typically conductive can become insulating.

Research in nanoteadustes spans a wide range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and engineering. Applications are diverse and emerging, with potential impacts on medicine, electronics, energy, environmental remediation, and consumer products. Examples include the development of targeted drug delivery systems, more efficient solar cells, stronger and lighter materials, and advanced sensors. The ethical and societal implications of nanotechnologies are also an important aspect of nanoteadustes.