ASTM E2456-06
(Terminology)Standard Terminology Relating to Nanotechnology
Standard Terminology Relating to Nanotechnology
SCOPE
1.1 Nanotechnology is an emerging field; this standard defines the novel terminology developed for its broad multi- and interdisciplinary activities. As the needs of this area develop, this standard will evolve accordingly; its content may be referenced and/or adopted, in whole or in part, as demanded by the needs of the individual user.
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Designation: E2456 − 06
StandardTerminology Relating to
Nanotechnology
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2456; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2.2.2 Terms and nomenclature are based on observed
scientific phenomena and are descriptive, distinguishable, and
1.1 Nanotechnology is an emerging field; this standard
have significant currency in the nanotechnology field as
defines the novel terminology developed for its broad multi-
reflected in peer-reviewed articles and other objective sources.
and interdisciplinary activities. As the needs of this area
These terms and names should not disrupt accepted usage in
develop, this standard will evolve accordingly. Its content may
other scientific and technological fields, and their preferred
be referenced and/or adopted, in whole or in part, as demanded
usage should follow accepted scientific syntax.
by the needs of the individual user.
3.2.2.3 When incorporating a term or name from a related
field,itsunderlyingmeaningisnotredefined.Modificationsare
2. Referenced Documents
minimal and are done to elucidate scientific distinctions
2.1 ASTM Standards:
required by nanotechnology practitioners.
E1964 Practice for Compiling and Writing & Terminology
3.2.2.4 When conflicting or overlapping terms and names
(Withdrawn 2007)
arise between scientific disciplines, precedence was given to
E1992 Terminology Relating to Terminology Management
the established term that has behind it a significant body of
(Withdrawn 2007)
knowledge.
3.2.2.5 The definition of a term that can have different
3. Significance and Use
meanings in different technical fields, especially those fields
3.1 This standard is intended to facilitate communication
beyond nanotechnology, is preceded by a limiting phrase, for
among members of the business, research, legal, government,
example, “in nanotechnology.”
and educational communities.
3.3 Description of Terms:
3.2 Definitions:
3.3.1 Descriptions of Terms are special purpose definitions
3.2.1 Terms and their related standard definitions in Section
intended to provide a precise understanding and interpretation
4 are intended for use uniformly and consistently in all
of standards in which they are used.
nanotechnology test methods, specifications, guides, and prac-
3.3.2 A specific description of a term is applicable to the
tices. The purpose of such use is to promote a clear under-
standard or standards in which the term is described and used.
standing and interpretation of the standards in which they are
3.3.3 Each standard in which a term is used in a specially
used.
defined manner beyond the definitions in Section 3 should list
3.2.2 Definitions of terms are written in the broadest sense
the term and its description under the subheading, descriptions
possible, consistent with the intended meaning using the
of terms.
following guidance considerations.
3.3.4 Practice E1964, Section 13, are used to guide the
3.2.2.1 Terminology E1992 and Practice E1964 concepts
contents of descriptions.
are considered, especially Sections 6.5, 7, and 8 of Practice
3.3.5 As nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field, it
E1964.
will be necessary to continually reassess the terms and defini-
tions contained in this standard, for purposes of revision when
necessary. The intent of the terms and definitions in this
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E56 on
standard is to describe materials containing features between
Nanotechnology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E56.01 on
approximately 1 and 100 nm and to differentiate those prop-
Informatics and Terminology.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published November 2006. DOI: erties different from properties found in either molecules or the
10.1520/E2456-06.
bulk (interior) of larger, micron-sized systems.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.4 Discussion of Terms:
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.4.1 Discussion sub-paragraphs are non-normative. They
the ASTM website.
are used in this standard to provide explanatory information, to
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. clarify distinctions between the use of terms in this standard as
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E2456 − 06
compared with that in other contexts or other fields of nanostructured, adj—containing physically or chemically
technology and to suggest preferred usage of a term. distinguishable components, at least one of which is na-
noscale in one or more dimensions.
DISCUSSION—While many conventional nanomaterials are distin-
4. Terminology
guished by physical or chemical characteristics, biological recognition
agglomerate, n—in nanotechnology, a group of particles held may also be the basis for defining a nanostructure.Though this concept
is formally contained by the word ‘chemically’ such a feature would
together by relatively weak forces (for example, Van der
lead to a distinctive type of nanostructured system.
Waals or capillary), that may break apart into smaller
particles upon processing, for example. nanotechnology, n—A term referring to a wide range of
technologies that measure, manipulate, or incorporate mate-
aggregate, n—in nanotechnology, a discrete group of particles
rials and/or features with at least one dimension between
in which the various individual components are not easily
approximately 1 and 100 nanometers (nm). Such applica-
broken apart, such as in the case of primary particles that are
tions exploit the properties, distinct from bulk/macroscopic
strongly bonded together (for example, fused, sintered, or
systems, of nanoscale components.
metallically bonded particles).
non-transitive nanoparticle, n— in nanotechnology, a nano-
fine particle, n—in nanotechnology, a particle smaller than
particle that does not exhibit size-related intensive proper-
about2.5micrometersandlargerthanabout0.1micrometers
ties.
in size. DISCUSSION—This term should be used when the subject material has
stable properties that fall on a continuum that can be smoothly
DISCUSSION—Used in aerosols science to describe atmospheric aero-
extrapolated from the behavior of the bulk (larger scale) material.
sol involving particles that may be solids or liquids.
Non-transitive nanoparticles are often applied in industries that exploit
their features, such as minimal optical scattering or high surface areas,
nano, n—(1) The SI definition, a prefix used to form decimal
to improve the radiation absorption, abrasion resistance or mechanical
submultiples of the SI unit “meter”, designating a factor of
-9
strength of materials.
10 denoted by the symbol “n”. (2) Pertaining to things on
a scale of approximately 1 to 100 nanometers (nm). (3) A particle, n—in nanotechnology, a small object that behaves as
prefixreferringtoanactivity,material,processordevicethat
a whole unit in terms of its transport and properties.
pertains to a field of knowledge defined by nanotechnology
transitive nanoparticle, n—in nanotechnology, a nanoparticle
and nanoscience.
exhibiting a size-related intensive property that differs sig-
nificantly from that observed in fine particles or bulk
nanoparticle, n—in nanotechnology, a sub-classification of
materials.
ultrafine particle with lengths in two or three dimensions
DISCUSSION—This term should be used when the material has
greater than 0.001 micrometer (1 nanometer) and smaller
properties that emerge only on the nanoscale. It is reserved for the
than about 0.1 micrometer (100 nanometers) and which may
special case of nanoscale materials which have behavior that does not
or may not exhibit a size-related intensive property.
smoothly or simply extrapolate from the bulk, and also encompasses
DISCUSSION—This term is a subject of controversy regarding the size
those systems which have features that respond to external forces in an
range and the presence of a size-related property. Current usage
interactive manner.
emphasizes size and not properties in the definition. The length scale
ultrafine particle, n—in nanotechnology, a particle ranging in
may be a hydrodynamic diameter or a geometric length appropriate to
sizefromapproximately0.1micrometer(100nanometers)to
the intended use of the nanoparticle.
.001 micrometers (1 nanometer).
nanoscale, adj—having one or more dimensions from approxi-
DISCUSSION—The term is most often used to describe aerosol
particles such as those found in welding fumes and combustion
mately 1 to 100 nanometers (nm).
by-products. The length scale may be measured by a particle’s
nanoscience, n—the study of nanoscale materials, processes, geometric, aerodynamic, mobility, projected-area, or hydrodynamic
phenomena, or devices. dimension.
E2456 − 06
APPENDIX
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