Description:

Nanoscale powders of many materials provide unique properties not available at the macroscopic scale.  As nanotechnology begins to develop uses for these powders, it becomes more important to fully understand and control their creation.  One unique method of fabrication is microwave driven hydrothermal synthesis.  Extremely high pressures are applied to an aqueous solution of the consituent chemicals, which are then energized by microwaves.  When the precursor chemicals decompose they recombine to form, in this case, single-crystal particles of zinc oxide.  Zinc Oxide is a very useful material, with applications ranging from sunscreen and cosmetics to semiconductors and light emitters. 

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