15/12/2025
Assoc. Prof. Alp Yürüm
Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Previously, in the eyes of scientists, the world was limited to minerals, metals, and liquids that could fit in our hands and that we could feel—in other words, entirely macro-scale. Then, with the invention of the microscope, the curtain was drawn back, revealing a micro-universe that no one had seen before: cells, bacteria, pollen grains… The term “micro” means one millionth of a meter, and this scale was the main stage for understanding materials for centuries. But towards the end of the 20th century, science’s eyes sharpened even further, and we began to see not just the micro world, but the nanoworld.
The term nanotechnology comes from the Greek word nanos, meaning “dwarf.” A nanometer is exactly one billionth of a meter. This scale is so small; a human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometers thick, a typical bacterium is roughly 1,000 nanometers, and a DNA strand is only ~2 nanometers wide. These comparisons show that the nanoworld contains the basic components of our daily lives; we just can't see them with the naked eye.
There are three fundamental physical reasons why a material behaves differently at the nanoscale: firstly, the surface-to-volume ratio increases dramatically; for example, a cube with side length 'a' has a volume of 'a³' and a surface area of '6a²'. When this cube is divided in two, the total surface area becomes '8a²'. As particle size decreases, the surface area increases, and a much larger proportion of atoms are located closer to the surface. Since reactions occur at the surface, the overall reaction rate increases. Secondly, there is quantum constraint: orbital energy levels change at the nanoscale, with striking optical, electronic, and chemical consequences. For example, a particle can have different colors depending on its size, conductivity changes, and even the melting point shifts depending on the size. Thirdly, there are surface and interface effects: surface atoms of nanoparticles have fewer neighbors compared to atoms at the bottom, making them more open to bonding. Since the movement of atoms within the material is also affected at this size, diffusion-requiring processes are facilitated. These three mechanisms work together to cause the same compound to exhibit different properties than normal in its nano form.
That morning sigh of regret while charging your phone, wishing it would charge faster, stems from the fact that atoms simply can't move quickly enough: that's precisely where nanotechnology plays a key role. Energy is no longer just about lighting lights; it's a critical battleground for keeping the economy running, maintaining our standard of living, and achieving climate goals. As the population, factories, and data centers grow, energy demand increases, and the limitations of fossil fuels force us to find "smarter" solutions. This is where materials science comes in: when we can adjust the positions of atoms with surgical precision, we can do the same job with fewer raw materials, at a lower cost, and with fewer carbon emissions. Thanks to nanotechnology, the active materials inside batteries are shaped at the nanoscale, enabling faster charging and longer battery life. Nanostructured anti-reflective coatings on your rooftop solar panels better "capture" sunlight and increase efficiency, while nano-catalysts provide the key to producing clean fuels like hydrogen more cheaply and efficiently. Small atomic changes translate into big gains in the macro world: fewer raw materials, more efficient devices, lower emissions. Of course, translating lab success into real-world applications requires careful regulation and scalable solutions, overcoming hurdles such as production costs, material stability, and environmental impacts. However, materials that skillfully manage atoms are opening the door to a future where energy is both more accessible and more sustainable.
Nanotechnology research at Sabancı University demonstrates that "miniaturization" at the atomic level is not just a matter of curiosity, but creates tangible advantages in energy technologies: for example, by weaving active materials with nanofiber architectures, the paths that ions must follow within the electrode are shortened, enabling faster charging and longer cycle life. Similar methods are being used to develop nano-scale catalyst layers, aiming to increase the efficient use of precious metals such as platinum and iridium, meaning achieving the same function with less metal. This approach promises to reduce the cost of fuel cells and clean hydrogen production systems.
Nanotechnology, through fine-tuning at the atomic level, creates invisible but measurable effects on our daily lives, particularly in energy, health, and the environment. As this design capability develops in the coming years, our devices will be more efficient, our materials more durable, and our solutions more sustainable. Watching this transformation is both informative and exciting.
