Home > Press > Nanoparticle scientist speaks on new discoveries at Goldschmidt Conference
Abstract:
Findings released during the annual Goldschmidt Conference at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Nanoparticle scientist speaks on new discoveries at Goldschmidt Conference
Knoxville, TN | Posted on June 16th, 2010Scientists who work at the atomic and molecular levels - nanoscale - have to think big. After all, it is at this level where everything happens.
Alexandra Navrotsky, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, and Director of its Nanomaterials in the Environment, Agriculture, and Technology Organized Research Unit, has studied the properties of nanoparticles throughout her career. She presented her findings today in Knoxville, Tenn., at the Goldschmidt Conference, hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
"Nanoparticles are everywhere. You eat them, drink them, breathe them, pay to have them, and pay even more to get rid of them," Navrotsky said. Nanomaterials science deals with particles that are about one billionth of a meter long.
During the conference, Navrotsky spoke on recent discoveries she and Ph.D. student Chengcheng Ma made on the thermodynamic properties of transition metal oxides such as insulators and superconductors.
Navrotsky's research group found that the thermodynamic driving force -- the energy needed for oxidized reactions -- depends strongly on particle size. The ease with which these materials change their oxidation state is important in all kinds of applications, for example, the catalytic splitting of water for the production of hydrogen and oxygen, the metabolism of microorganisms and the evolution of mineral deposits.
Since chemical and biological reactions occur on the surface of a particle, these activities are enhanced at the nanoparticle scale. An understanding of the way nanoparticles react under certain temperatures and other conditions can be applied to many areas of science, including communication technology; agricultural technology; environmental remediation; interactions in the oceans, atmosphere, and biosphere; and biotechnology for medicine and health.
For example, the thermodynamics at the nanoscale in a battery affects its voltage output, so understanding this principle can help scientists make a more efficient battery.
The Goldschmidt Conference, held the week of June 13-18, draws several thousand international geochemists annually to share their research on Earth, energy and the environment.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Whitney Holmes
865-974-5460
Copyright © Eurekalert
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
Scientists create antilaser for ultracold atoms condensate August 16th, 2018
Research brief: UMN researchers use green gold to rapidly detect and identify harmful bacteria August 15th, 2018
Particles pull last drops of oil from well water: Rice University engineers find nanoscale solution to 'produced water' problem August 15th, 2018
CTI Materials drives nano commercialization with it's patented surfactant free nanoparticle dispersions August 15th, 2018
Chemistry
Flipping the switch on supramolecular electronics August 14th, 2018
Possible Futures
Scientists create antilaser for ultracold atoms condensate August 16th, 2018
Research brief: UMN researchers use green gold to rapidly detect and identify harmful bacteria August 15th, 2018
Particles pull last drops of oil from well water: Rice University engineers find nanoscale solution to 'produced water' problem August 15th, 2018
How hot is Schrödinger's coffee? August 15th, 2018
Academic/Education
SUNY Poly Professor Eric Lifshin Selected for ‘Fellow of the Microanalysis Society’ Position for Significant Contributions to Microanalysis June 13th, 2018
Materials/Metamaterials
CTI Materials drives nano commercialization with it's patented surfactant free nanoparticle dispersions August 15th, 2018
Flipping the switch on supramolecular electronics August 14th, 2018
Biomimetic micro/nanoscale fiber reinforced composites August 10th, 2018
Yale-NUS scientist and collaborators solve open theoretical problem on electron interactions August 10th, 2018
Announcements
Scientists create antilaser for ultracold atoms condensate August 16th, 2018
Research brief: UMN researchers use green gold to rapidly detect and identify harmful bacteria August 15th, 2018
Particles pull last drops of oil from well water: Rice University engineers find nanoscale solution to 'produced water' problem August 15th, 2018
How hot is Schrödinger's coffee? August 15th, 2018
Events/Classes
Kavli Lectures: New vision of nanomaterial synthesis and light-fueled space travel August 8th, 2018
Strategic Materials Conference 2018 Highlights “Materials Shaping the Future of Electronics” July 30th, 2018
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||