Silver Nanoparticles

A nanoparticle is defined according to nanotechnology as a small object between 1 and 100 nanometers that behaves like a whole unit. Nanoparticle structures are being studied because of their capabilities in bridging the gap between bulk materials and atomic structures

If you observe the physical properties of bulk materials, the number of atoms will still remain the same regardless of how big or small they are. For nanoparticles, size is often directly proportional to the number of atoms, resulting in a change in the physical properties. Take for example photovoltaic cells and solar radiation. With the addition of nanoparticles to the material, photovoltaic cells can absorb more solar energy compared to conventional types of material that are produced for the same purpose. 

Nanoparticles are made directly as powders and must be stored in a liquid medium for suspension. If the nanoparticles are aggregated, they will build a solid bridging mechanism causing them to lose their nanoparticle properties. Studying of nanoparticle structures is gaining momentum because of their great potential in improving several fields of science such as medicine, optics, and electronics. 

Silver nanoparticles are currently being utilized in several technological applications and are gaining popularity as a form of counter measures against several illnesses that cannot be treated through conventional means.

Silver nanoparticles have several characteristics that make it currently among the most widely used nanoparticle in science.  One highly useful characteristic is its antimicrobial property.  Silver in its pure form was  known, even to the by ancient Greeks, as a great material to keep microbes at bay.  If silver is transformed into a nanoparticle, this anti-microbial property is intensified, making it useful in effectively eliminating fungus, bacteria, and viruses.  As a natural material, silver is known to be safe to man and produce little to no allergic reactions when tested for curing various diseases.