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.

This quiz covers the basics of nanotechnology, its applications, and its impact on society. It also touches on the antecedents of nanotechnology and social issues and concerns.