THEY'RE EVERYWHERE

They’re everywhere. In the air, in the ground, in the water… even in the food we eat and the clothes we wear. What, you ask? This week’s topic: nanoparticles.

Graphene, an artificial nanoparticle that is surprisingly durable.

I suppose I was as surprised as the next person to learn that nanoparticles are everywhere – literally everywhere. I had always known that nanotechnology has been on the rise; I mean, the technology we use is getting smaller and smaller. We no longer need to have a giant boulder as a computer. We now have laptops and the even smaller notebooks. Phones are no longer the giant rectangles you see in old war films. We now have little, efficient handheld devices with more processing power than some not-so-distant computers (I mean, honestly, my phone runs faster than the computer my family was using up until the beginning of this decade).

Nanoparticle research is performed even by cosmetics comapnies!

What surprised me, however, was that nanotechnology – and nanoparticles – have been present in our society to such a large degree. For example, Dr. Gimzewski mentioned that Loreal, a major cosmetics company, is currently researching nanoparticles for their products and is one of the world leaders in nanotechnology patents (Helix).

A pretty neat diagram of how a STM (scanning tunneling microscope) works.

Feynman was ahead of his time, it seems. He predicted the shift in current technology, and even gave a decent estimation as to the natural role of nanoparticles in organic systems (Feynman). This could not have been possible without the use of the scanning tunneling microscope, which allowed scientists to actually analyze particles (Nanoscience Instruments, Inc). The creation of man-made carbon structures by usage of nanoparticles only served to prove the efficiency, and it soon became apparent that nanoparticles were already abundant in nature. Carmelized foods, for example, have carbon nanoparticles (grist.org). Many companies are taking advantage of the efficiency of nanoparticles in providing minerals and vitamins to our modern, limited diet.

Should we worry about nanoparticles? I, for one, will not. Many are natural, and those that are man-made are already spread out in food, vitamins, cosmetic products and more to the point where it may be difficult to discern their presence. However, you can always perform your own research into products if you’re worried about nanoparticle influence. Perhaps they’ve already taken root in our lives, providing external stimulants to our cells and triggering new types of DNA methylation – and, by extension, gene expression – from the very day we enter the world and take our first meal of baby formula. Maybe that’s why our current generations are getting bigger, faster and stronger. Maybe that’s why our athletes continue to break records and set new limits, despite the pure impossibility of some of these feats. Or maybe that’s just the effects of a healthy diet and proper exercise.  Only time will tell.

"Helix Magazine." Nanotechnology and the Science of Beauty. Web. 25 May 2015.

Feynman, Richard. "Feynman's Talk." Feynman's Talk. Web. 25 May 2015.

Malcolm, Chris. Art in the Age of Nanotechnology. Bentley, WA: John Curtin Gallery, 2010. Print.

"Nanoparticles in Your Food? You're Already Eating Them." Grist. 3 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 May 2015.

"Nanoscience Instruments, Inc." Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Overview. Web. 25 May 2015.