definition

Last update: 08/04/2024 [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Natural materials occur in the environment without human intervention, as for example volcanic ashes, clay minerals.
  • Manufactured materials usually refers to materials made for a specific purpose.
  • Incidental means materials resulting from a human-induced process with a purpose other than producing nanomaterials, as for example combustion processes.

Any engineered nanomaterial means any intentionally produced material that has one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less or that is composed of discrete functional parts, either internally or at the surface, many of which have one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less, including structures, agglomerates or aggregates, which may have a size above the order of 100 nm but retain properties that are characteristic of the nanoscale.

Science of intentionally designing and producing very small objects or structures at the nanometer scale. It has numerous applications.

Possible applications [4]:

Formulation

  • anti-cracking effect
  • white coloration
  • better nutrients absorbtion
  • lower fat/sugar/salt contents
  • specific tastes and textures

Packaging

  • solid materials production
  • resistance to heat, moisture, air
  • lightweight materials production

Traceability
authenticity

Nanobarcodes:
  • product identification
  • product tracking
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