Nanotechnology Week 10-11

What is Nanotechnology?

• Nanotechnology is the science and technology of objects at the nanoscale level, where their properties differ significantly from their macroscopic or even microscopic scale.
• It involves the design, characterization, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling shapes and sizes at the nanometer scale.
• Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses understanding and control of matter at about 1-100 nm, leading to development of innovative and revolutionary applications.

Understanding the Nanoscale

• 1 nanometer (nm) = 10^-9 meters (billionth of a meter)
• To put it into perspective:
  • A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nm thick
  • A strand of human DNA is about 2.5 nm in diameter
  • 1 inch is equivalent to 25,400,000 nm
  • A strand of human hair is about 80,000-100,000 nm thick

Nanomaterials

• Materials used to create displays with better color, lower energy consumption, and longer service life
• Examples:
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Diamond
  • Quantum dots
  • Graphite
  • Graphene
  • Dendrimers
  • Liposomes
  • Titanium oxide (TiO2)
  • Silver

Nanosources

• Naturally occurring:
  • Volcanic ash
  • Forest fires
  • Ocean spray
  • Fine sand
  • Dust
• Incidental/Anthropogenic:
  • Produced as a consequence of human activities
• Engineered/Manufactured/Industrial:
  • Intentionally produced for a specific purpose

Nanodevices

• Devices with at least one overall dimension in the nanoscale, or comprising one or more nanoscale components essential to its operation
• Examples:
  • Photonic, plasmonic, and metamaterial devices
  • Bio/chemical/nano sensing devices
  • Energy harvesting systems

Importance of Nanotechnology

• Improving existing industrial processes, materials, and applications by scaling them down to the nanoscale
• Creating smaller components and better performance materials at a lower cost

Antecedents of Nanotechnology

• The idea behind nanoscience and nanotechnology started with Richard Feynman's talk "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" in 1959
• The term "nanotechnology" was coined by Norio Taniguchi in 1974
• The development of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) in 1981 and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in 1986 enabled the study of individual atoms and molecules

Applications of Nanotechnology

• Everyday Life: Improved materials and products
• Medical Robotics: Nano-robots for early diagnosis and targeted drug delivery
• Medicine and Pharmaceuticals: Drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics
• Gene Therapy: Targeted delivery of genetic material
• Energy Applications: Improved energy storage and conversion
• Agriculture: Improved crop yield and disease resistance
• Food Industry: Improved food safety and quality
• Textiles: Improved fabric properties
• Sports: Improved equipment performance
• Cosmetics: Improved sunscreens and skincare
• Defense and Security: Improved body armor and detection technologies### Positive Impacts of Nanotechnology
• Nanotech products are smaller, cheaper, lighter, more functional, and easier to use, requiring less energy and fewer raw materials to manufacture.
• Increased manufacturing production of products at significantly reduced costs.
• Allows for more accurate and fast delivery of services.
• Molecular Scale Manufacturing ensures that very little raw materials is wasted.

Negative Impacts of Nanotechnology

• Toxicity risks to human health and the environment associated with 1st-generation nanomaterials.
• Pulmonary diseases due to inhalation of airborne particles and nanofibers.
• Carbon nanotubes are as harmful as asbestos when inhaled in sufficient amounts.
• Toxic wastes from nanoparticles can endanger water resources when flushed into our waters.

Social Issues and Concerns

• Nanotechnology can create social divides, benefiting rich countries more than developing nations.
• The technology can be abused, and 'grey goo' scenario is possible.
• Environmental hazards, including nanoparticles accumulating in the environment and endangering water resources.
• Health risks, including unforeseen impacts on human health and accumulation in the food chain.
• Economic effects, including potential job displacement and new regulations required.
• Educational avenues, including a need for public awareness and education on nanotechnology.
• Privacy breach, including potential surveillance and monitoring.
• Regulations, including a need for rapid action to regulate nanotechnology applications and uses.

Ethical Aspects of Nanotechnology

• High cost of nanodevices and nano-surgery tools, and unknown technical capacity of these devices and tools.
• Effects on the relationship between physician and patient.
• Effects on the health system, including potential changes to healthcare and medical practices.
• FUTURISTIC ISSUES, including enlarging expectations and unsubstantial estimations, and problems with confidentiality and equality.