top of page
XRD Nano Logo

Types of micro and nanostructures

Updated: 6 days ago

Micro and nanostructures are tiny structures that operate on extremely small scales, ranging from micrometres (1 millionth of a meter) to nanometres (1 billionth of a meter). These structures are used across fields like electronics, biotechnology, and materials science because they offer unique physical, chemical, and optical properties. Here's a simple breakdown:


Microstructures:

  1. MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems):

    • Combine electrical and mechanical components.

    • Used in devices like accelerometers and pressure sensors.

  2. Micro-patterns:

  3. Tiny patterns used in electronics and photonics.

  4. Example: Microchannels or diffraction gratings.

  5. Micro-optics:

  6. Small optical elements such as microlenses or micro-prisms.

  7. Microarrays:

  8. Grid-like arrangements of molecules are used for testing, like DNA microarrays.

  9. Micro-pillars/Micro-holes:

  10. Small columns or holes that alter surface properties for things like adhesion or filtration.

  11. Microporous Structures:

  12. Materials with small pores, used in filtration and tissue engineering.


Nanostructures:

  1. Nanoparticles:

    • Tiny particles (1-100 nm) used in medicine, electronics, etc.

    • Example: Gold nanoparticles.

  2. Nanowires/Nanotubes:

  3. Cylindrical nanostructures with unique electrical and mechanical properties, such as carbon nanotubes.

  4. Nanoporous Materials:

  5. Nanoscale pores used in areas like catalysis and filtration.

  6. Thin Films:

  7. Nanoscale coatings applied to electronics or solar cells.

  8. Quantum Dots:

  9. Semiconductor particles with unique quantum properties, used in displays and biological imaging.

  10. Nanocomposites:

  11. Materials made by embedding nanoparticles into a matrix to improve their properties.

  12. Graphene and 2D Materials:

  13. Ultra-thin materials like graphene used for flexible electronics and sensors.

  14. Nanoscale Photonics:

  15. Structures that control light at the nanoscale, such as photonic crystals.


Hybrid Structures:

  • Metamaterials:

    • Special materials with properties not found in nature, used in devices like superlenses.

  • Hierarchical Structures:

    • Combine micro and nanostructures, inspired by nature (e.g., superhydrophobic surfaces like a lotus leaf).


These structures are designed to take advantage of their small size to achieve powerful functions in industries like technology, medicine, and environmental science.

45 views0 comments

Kommentare


bottom of page