Uses of Nanoparticles 

MEDICINE:

Particles such as FULLERENES can be used to DELIVER DRUGS directly into cells due to their small sizes.

ELECTRONICS:

Some nanoparticles can conduct electricity, which means they can be used in electrical components of computer chips.

DEODORANT:

Some nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles) have ANTIBACTERIAL properties which means they can kill BACTERIA on the skin to prevent body odour.

COSMETICS AND SUNSCREEN:

Nanoparticles can be added improve the quality of moisturisers without making them oily. Their HIGH SURFACE AREA TO VOLUME RATIO means that they can provide BETTER COVERAGE of the skin. This means a SMALLER MASS of nanoparticles is needed to be effective.

CATALYSTS:

Their HIGH SURFACE AREA TO VOLUME RATIO, means they are much more effective as catalysts, and can increase the rate of a reaction.

Potential Risks and Ethical Considerations

The long-term health effects of nanoparticles are not fully understood so there are potential risks to be considered.

Disadvatages include:

• They can lead to CELL DAMAGE
• They can have harmful effects to the ENVIRONMENT
• They are EXPENSIVE.