Nanochemist Dallas Campbell and Suze Kundu explore the world of nanotechnology, its impact on various industries, and the historical roots of this cutting-edge technology. They discuss responsible research practices, the versatility of shape memory metals, and the societal concerns surrounding advancements like artificial intelligence. The podcast also touches on the concept of Grey Goo and the role of skilled glassmakers in scientific research.
Nanotechnology impacts everyday life through tech advancements, such as laptops and stain-repellent clothes.
Materials at the nanoscale showcase unique behavior, revolutionizing fields like solar energy capture and efficient material interactions.
Deep dives
Nanotechnology: Exploring the World of the Incredibly Small
Nanotechnology, dealing with incredibly small scales, has become an integral part of our lives, present in everyday tech like laptops and clothes for stain repellency. Nanotechnology's rise in the '90s brought fears like 'Grey Goo,' a concern over potentially dangerous consequences. Practical applications include strength in lightweight sports equipment.
Understanding Nanoscale Behavior and Its Quantum Quirks
Materials at the nanoscale exhibit unique behavior due to quantum mechanics taking precedence over classical mechanics. These materials interact differently, impacting various fields like capturing solar energy and material interactions. Utilizing this scale allows solutions to major global challenges.
Nanomaterials in Energy: Enhancing Solar Panel Efficiency
Tweaking materials at the nano scale, like manipulating solar panels at a molecular level, increases efficiency by enhancing light absorption and charge separation. Engineering structures prevent charge recombination, improving energy harnessing for diverse applications.
Impressive Applications of Nanotechnology: Medicine and Water Filtration
In medicine, nanomaterial cage structures offer targeted drug delivery to specific cells, avoiding indiscriminate treatments like chemotherapy. Nanofiltration devices for clean water access and energy-efficient coatings for buildings showcase the potential benefits of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology may seem like something from a sci-fi movie plot, but it’s a very real thing and has likely affected many areas of your life, whether you realise it, or not.
Nanotechnology looks at dimension and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers. For context, hair follicles or a sheet of paper are 100,000 nanometers thick. So, pretty small…
But what is it? How are scientists changing our lives with it? And why was King Charles III famously afraid of it?
Dallas Campbell is joined by nanochemist Suze Kundu to find out more.
Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.
Get 50% off your first 3 months with codePATENTED. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe