Nanogeology brings quantum science to geology

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.4.65

Abstract

Abstract:

Nanogeology is the study of nanoscale (1-100 nm) geological phenomena and geological nanomaterials. Nanoscale material is the smallest indivisible unit of macro material, and already it has shown excellent quantum properties. Due to this unique quality of nanomaterials, nanogeology currently is the most plausible discipline for the geological application of quantum science, as studies have shown that natural nanomaterials (such as mineral nanoparticles) occur in various geological bodies, and some nanoscale geological bodies have shown quantum phenomena such as quantum entanglement, which has unique advantages in the information transmission and data processing. These results provided a solid foundation for integrating quantum science, especially quantum entanglement, into geology, and also provided a possibility for solving geological problems by using quantum properties. Presently, however, geological applications of quantum science as well as nanogeology are still in the early stage of research, and there are still many unknown nanomaterials and nanoscale phenomena to be discovered and studied, only then quantum science can truly enter geology.

Key words: nanogeology, quantum science, geology, quantum entanglement, information transmission

CLC Number:

P59
O413

LIU Rui, ZUO Lei, ZHANG Peng, ZHAO Zongchao, TAO Gang, WANG Kun, TAO Dongping. Nanogeology brings quantum science to geology[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2023, 30(3): 308-312.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig.1 Visual illustration of nanometer relative to meter scales as the size of a coin relative to that of the Earth

Fig.2 (a) CdSe nanoparticles with different particle sizes show different colors under UV irradiation and (b) nano CdSe with different cancer-targeted antibodies at different parts of mice body. Adapted from [2].

Fig.3 Fuzz effect of nanofibers. Adopted from internet source.

Fig.4 Bornite-dissolved chalcopyrite with wavy structure in a chalcopyrite-bornite solid solution. Adapted from [11].

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