Nanotechnology: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Ethical Aspects

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanotechnology

• Better performance of products compared to those made with conventional materials
• Inhaled nanoparticles can cause health issues, such as pulmonary diseases
• Nanotechnology can enlarge expectations and create unsubstantial estimations
• Possible risks and unknown technical capacity of nanodevices and nanosurgery tools

Ethical and Social Issues

• The effect of nanotechnology on developing countries
• The effect on the relationship between physician and patient
• The problem of equality and definition of being a human
• Undetermined employee security and potential risks to laborers
• The problem of confidentiality and managerial issues

Health Issues

• The cost of nanodevices and nanosurgery tools
• Unknown technical capacity of these devices and tools
• Clinical applications of nanotechnological processes
• The effect on the health system

Applications of Nanotechnology

Nanomaterials

• Si or TiO2 nanoparticles embedded in epoxy matrix
• SiO2 nanoparticles in a liquid polymer
• Iron nanoparticles in inert oil
• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)

Photocatalysis

• Photocatalytic reactions can purify water, air, surfaces, and fabrics
• TiO2 nanocrystals/films

Propellants

• Nanoscale Al powder has higher burn rates

Magnetic Recording Tapes

• Use of Fe Oxide or Co-Fe Oxide
• Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) for CRTs, photographic films, touch screens, and more

Impact on Society

• Positive impacts: smaller, cheaper, lighter, more functional, and easier to use products
• Negative impacts: toxicity risks to human health and the environment

Nanotechnology in Medicine

• Potential applications: early diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, biomedical instrumentation, surgery, and health care
• Future medical nanotechnology: nanorobots injected into the patient to perform treatment on a cellular level

Drug Delivery and Disease Treatment

• Potential to revolutionize cancer treatment
• Nanocrystals can be effective agents for selective targeting and destruction of cancer cells

Imaging and Diagnostics

• Nanoplex Biomarker Detection
• Silica-coated Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) – active metal nanoparticles for biomarker quantitation

Nanotechnology in Gene Therapy

• Potential applications: gene therapy and treatment of genetic diseases

Environmental and Energy Applications

• Potential applications: environmental remediation, energy storage, and energy generation

Nanotechnology in Agriculture

• Potential applications: increased crop yield, disease resistance, and water conservation

Nanotechnology in the Food Industry

• Potential applications: food safety, packaging, and nutritional value

Nanotechnology in Textiles

• Potential applications: improved fabric properties, self-cleaning, and water repellency

Nanotechnology in Sports

• Potential applications: improved athletic performance, injury prevention, and sports equipment

Nanotechnology in Cosmetics

• Potential applications: sunscreen, skin care, and hair care

Nanotechnology in Defense and Security

• Potential applications: improved body armor, detection of hazardous substances, and explosives detection