microparticle
Microscopic solid bit
A microparticle is a tiny particle, typically between one and one thousand micrometers in diameter—visible under a microscope but not to the naked eye.
The term appears in medicine, environmental science, and materials research: microparticles in the bloodstream, plastic microparticles in ocean water.
Smaller particles are nanoparticles.
Conveying medicine to tissues
- carrierOne that transports
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
- controlled releaseGradual substance dispensing mechanism
- microsphereMinute spherical particle
injectable · diagnostic · imaging · tracer · uptake · biodistribution · therapeutic · pharmaceutical
Billionth-meter dimension
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- nanomaterialMatter at billionth-meter scale
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
- nanofiberUltrathin synthetic strand
nanomedicine · nanocomposite · graphene · fullerene · nanofabrication · nanobot · microsphere · nanoscience
Temporary halt or exclusion
- dispersionScattering across space
- emulsionBlended immiscible liquids
- aerosolMist in gas
- solFifth scale degree
gel · foam · Brownian · turbidity · surfactant · stabilizer · coagulation · flocculation
Large repeated-unit molecule
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- latexMilky plant-derived polymer
- ceramicFired clay material
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
magnetic · glass · plastic · biodegradable · porous · spherical · irregular · synthetic
Microscopic air pollution particles
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- airborneTraveling through air
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
toxin · carcinogen · asbestos · soot · diesel · combustion · industrial · atmospheric
Immune response trigger
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- mold sporeReproductive cell of fungi
- danderMicroscopic shed skin
- miteMinuscule arachnid parasite
household · settling · filtration · HEPA · indoor · outdoor · respiratory · irritant
drug delivery
Conveying medicine to tissues
- carrierOne that transports
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
- controlled releaseGradual substance dispensing mechanism
microsphere · injectable · diagnostic · imaging · tracer · uptake · biodistribution · therapeutic · pharmaceutical · liposome
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- nanomaterialMatter at billionth-meter scale
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
nanofiber · nanomedicine · nanocomposite · graphene · fullerene · nanofabrication · nanobot · microsphere · nanoscience · nanoelectronics
suspension
Temporary halt or exclusion
- dispersionScattering across space
- emulsionBlended immiscible liquids
- aerosolMist in gas
sol · gel · foam · Brownian · turbidity · surfactant · stabilizer · coagulation · flocculation · interface
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
metallic · magnetic · glass · plastic · biodegradable · porous · spherical · irregular · synthetic · organic
PM2.5
Microscopic air pollution particles
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- airborneTraveling through air
contamination · toxin · carcinogen · asbestos · soot · diesel · combustion · industrial · atmospheric · respirable
allergen
Immune response trigger
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- mold sporeReproductive cell of fungi
- danderMicroscopic shed skin
mite · household · settling · filtration · HEPA · indoor · outdoor · respiratory · irritant · cleaning
microparticlenanoparticle
Submicroscopic material fragment
boulder · grain · subatomic particle · chunk · mass