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nanoparticle

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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From nano- +‎ particle.

Noun

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nanoparticle (plural nanoparticles)

  1. Any microscopic particle less than about 100 nanometers (nm) in diameter.
    • 2005 February 22, Kenneth Chang, “Tiny Is Beautiful: Translating 'Nano' Into Practical”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:
      Nanoparticles of various sorts are already found in products like sunscreen, paint and inkjet paper. More exotic varieties offer promise in medicine for sensitive diagnostic tests and novel treatments: the detection of Alzheimer's disease by finding a protein in spinal fluid, for instance, or nanoparticles that heat up and kill cancer cells.

Usage notes

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In aerosol science, the term is often reserved for particles less than 50 nm in diameter; ultrafine particle is used for particles less than 100 nm in diameter.

Translations

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See also

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Further reading

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