Industry of the future: nanotechnology

Although nanotechnology is extremely small, it has an extremely big effect on our daily lives. Nanotechnology has various applications. Right now, it’s a key ingredient of the current Covid-19 vaccines.

Nanotechnology is also being used to produce solutions to alleviate the effects of climate change. 🌏

Nanotechnology is a fast-expanding field that you will definitely study at school in your GCSE Science lessons, and maybe even spend your career in.

Keep on reading to learn more about the cutting-edge developments and opportunities in this new industry.

What is nanotechnology? 🤔

Nanotechnology is the materials science involving the manipulation and manufacture of materials and devices on the scale of nanometers (billionths of a metre). These materials are called ‘nanoparticles’.

Nanotechnology in vaccines

Nanoparticles are a vital component of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. They play a key role in protecting and transporting the mRNA effectively to the right place in cells.

Nanoparticles are also extensively used in other medical fields. They have been used to develop drugs that are:

• Anti-cancer