How can physics research benefit us in our daily lives? What are some practical applications?
A fundamental understanding of material behavior at the atomic and molecular level allows us the power to design and synthesize new materials with properties never before known to man. For example, it is possible to create magnetic particles from nonmagnetic elements; transparent materials from those that are opaque in bulk phase; metallic nanoparticles that absorb radiation that otherwise will be reflected; and nanoparticles that are reactive while their bulk counterpart is chemically inert; and so on. These properties can be used to synthesize an entirely new class of materials where the nanoparticles, as opposed to atoms, form the building blocks. Applications of these particles are many and diverse. They range from drugs that can treat cancer without the harmful effects of radiation to sensors of minute quantities of toxins. Other applications include catalyzing reactions at lower temperatures and pressures and storing large amounts of hydrogen for use in the automotive industry. A
