Lecture 11: Nanotechnology PDF

+  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students Lesson 3. Nanotechnology 1 Week MODULE 11 NANOTECHNOLOGY Time I N Tframe: RO D U2CT weeks...

+  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students Lesson 3. Nanotechnology 1 Week MODULE 11 NANOTECHNOLOGY Time I N Tframe: RO D U2CT weeks ION One of the STS issues considered is Nanotechnology. This refers to the use of nanoscale in different areas of discipline generated by the advancement of science and technology. Scientists and researchers continuously search for the application of knowledge on nanomaterials to bring widespread implications in various areas of the society like health care, environment, energy, food, water and agriculture. This lesson will introduce you to explore the concept of nanotechnology most especially to its impact in the society. L E AR N I N G O UT C O M E S Explain nanotechnology and its use in the society. Discuss the major impacts (both potential and realized) of nanotechnology on society. Critique the issue on its costs and benefits to society. NANOTECHNOLOGY This refers to the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices. It applies many sector for scientific advancements such as medicine, consumer products, energy, materials and manufacturing. In addition, nanotechnology refers to engineered structures, devices, and systems. It involves the understanding and control of matter at the nanometer-scale. A nanometer is an extremely small unit of length—a billionth (10-9) of a meter. The nanomaterials are based on the length scale between 1 and 100 nanometers. Studies revealed that at this size, materials begin to exhibit unique properties that affect physical, chemical, and biological behavior. Thus, nanotechnology can increase the surface area of a material. This allows more atoms to interact with other materials. 2  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students An increased surface area is one of the chief reasons nanometer-scale materials can be stronger, more durable, and more conductive than their larger-scale (called bulk) counterparts. Scientists studied these properties for a ranges of users from altering consumer products such as clothes to revolutionizing medicine and tackling environmental issues. Types of Nanomaterials  Natural nanomaterials are those that occur naturally in the world. These include particles that make up volcanic ash, smoke, and even some molecules in our bodies, such as the hemoglobin in our blood.  Artificial nanomaterials are those that occur from objects or processes created by people. Some examples are the exhaust from fossil fuel burning engines and some forms of pollution. However, scientists and engineers are working on these materials to create them for use in industries from manufacturing to medicine which are then called as intentionally produced nanomaterials. Application of Nanotechnology Many of the applications of nanotechnology involve new materials that have very different properties and new effects compared to the same materials made at larger sizes. This is due to the very high surface to volume ratio of nanoparticles compared to larger particles, and to effects that appear at that small scale but are not observed at larger scales. Nanotechnology is considered helpful by experts to improve and revolutionize many technology and industry sectors: information technology, homeland security, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety, and environmental science, among many others. The benefits and applications of nanotechnology are the following (National Nanotechnology Initiative):  Everyday Materials and Processes o Nanoscale additives to or surface treatments of fabrics can provide lightweight ballistic energy deflection in personal body armor, or can help them resist wrinkling, staining, and bacterial growth. o Clear nanoscale films on eyeglasses, computer and camera displays, windows, and other surfaces can make them water- and residue-repellent, antireflective, self-cleaning, resistant to ultraviolet or infrared light, antifog, antimicrobial, scratch-resistant, or electrically conductive. 3  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students o Nanoscale materials are beginning to enable washable, durable “smart fabrics” equipped with flexible nanoscale sensors and electronics with capabilities for health monitoring, solar energy capture, and energy harvesting through movement. o Light weighting of cars, trucks, airplanes, boats, and space craft could lead to significant fuel savings. Nanoscale additives in polymer composite materials are being used in baseball bats, tennis rackets, bicycles, motorcycle helmets, automobile parts, luggage, and power tool housings, making them lightweight, stiff, durable, and resilient. Carbon nanotube sheets are now being produced for use in next-generation air vehicles. For example, the combination of light weight and conductivity makes them ideal for applications such as electromagnetic shielding and thermal management. o Nano-bioengineering of enzymes to enable conversion of cellulose from wood chips, corn stalks, unfertilized perennial grasses, etc., into ethanol for fuel. Cellulosic nanomaterials have demonstrated potential applications in a wide array of industrial sectors, including electronics, construction, packaging, food, energy, health care, automotive, and defense. Cellulosic nanomaterials are projected to be less expensive than many other nanomaterials and, among other characteristics, tout an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. o Nano-engineered materials in automotive products include high-power rechargeable battery systems; thermoelectric materials for temperature control; tires with lower rolling resistance; high-efficiency/low-cost sensors and electronics; thin-film smart solar panels; and fuel additives for cleaner exhaust and extended range. o Nanostructured ceramic coatings exhibit much greater toughness than conventional wear-resistant coatings for machine parts. Nanotechnology- enabled lubricants and engine oils also significantly reduce wear and tear, which can significantly extend the lifetimes of moving parts in everything from power tools to industrial machinery. o Nanoparticles are used increasingly in catalysis to boost chemical reactions. This reduces the quantity of catalytic materials necessary to produce desired results, saving money and reducing pollutants. Two big 4  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students applications are in petroleum refining and in automotive catalytic converters. o Nano-engineered materials make superior household products such as degreasers and stain removers; environmental sensors, air purifiers, and filters; antibacterial cleansers; and specialized paints and sealing products, such a self-cleaning house paints that resist dirt and marks. o Nanoscale materials are also being incorporated into a variety of personal care products to improve performance. Nanoscale titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have been used for years in sunscreen to provide protection from the sun while appearing invisible on the skin. o In food science, applications of nanotechnology have emerged with increasing need of nanoparticle uses in various fields of food science and food microbiology, including food processing, food packaging, functional food development, food safety, detection of foodborne pathogens, and shelf-life extension of food and/or food products.  Electronics and IT Applications o Transistors, the basic switches that enable all modern computing, have gotten smaller and smaller through nanotechnology. Smaller, faster, and better transistors may mean that soon your computer’s entire memory may be stored on a single tiny chip. o Using magnetic random access memory (MRAM), computers will be able to “boot” almost instantly. MRAM is enabled by nanometer‐scale magnetic tunnel junctions and can quickly and effectively save data during a system shutdown or enable resume‐play features. o Ultra-high definition displays and televisions are now being sold that use quantum dots to produce more vibrant colors while being more energy efficient. o Flexible, bendable, foldable, rollable, and stretchable electronics are reaching into various sectors and are being integrated into a variety of products, including wearables, medical applications, aerospace applications, and the Internet of Things. Flexible electronics have been developed using, for example, semiconductor nanomembranes for applications in smartphone and e-reader displays. Other nanomaterials like graphene and cellulosic nanomaterials are being used for various types of flexible electronics to enable wearable and “tattoo” sensors, photovoltaics 5  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students that can be sewn onto clothing, and electronic paper that can be rolled up. Making flat, flexible, lightweight, non-brittle, highly efficient electronics opens the door to countless smart products. o Other computing and electronic products include Flash memory chips for smart phones and thumb drives; ultra-responsive hearing aids; antimicrobial/antibacterial coatings on keyboards and cell phone casings; conductive inks for printed electronics for RFID/smart cards/smart packaging; and flexible displays for e-book readers. o Nanoparticle copper suspensions have been developed as a safer, cheaper, and more reliable alternative to lead-based solder and other hazardous materials commonly used to fuse electronics in the assembly process.  Medical and Healthcare Applications Nanotechnology broadened the medical tools, knowledge, and therapies which are now available to clinicians. Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, draws on the natural scale of biological phenomena to produce precise solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. o Commercial applications have adapted gold nanoparticles as probes for the detection of targeted sequences of nucleic acids, and gold nanoparticles are also being clinically investigated as potential treatments for cancer and other diseases. o Better imaging and diagnostic tools enabled by nanotechnology are paving the way for earlier diagnosis, more individualized treatment options, and better therapeutic success rates. o Nanotechnology is being studied for both the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in arteries. o The design and engineering of advanced solid-state nanopore materials allowed for the development of novel gene sequencing technologies that enable single-molecule detection at low cost and high speed with minimal sample preparation and instrumentation. o Different therapeutics where a nanoparticle can encapsulate or help to deliver medication directly to cancer cells and minimize the risk of damage to healthy tissue. It can reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy. o For regenerative medicine spans several application areas, including bone and neural tissue engineering. 6  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students o It can improve vaccines, including vaccine delivery without the use of needles. Researchers are working to create a universal vaccine scaffold for the annual flu vaccine that would cover more strains and require fewer resources to develop each year.  Energy Applications Nanotechnology is finding application to enhanced alternative energy approaches to help meet the world’s increasing energy demands. o Improve the efficiency of fuel production from raw petroleum materials through better catalysis and reduce fuel consumption in vehicles and power plants through higher-efficiency combustion and decreased friction. o Being applied to oil and gas extraction. o Carbon nanotube “scrubbers” and membranes to separate carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust. o Used to develop wires containing carbon nanotubes that will have much lower resistance than the high-tension wires currently used in the electric grid, thus reducing transmission power loss. o It is incorporated into solar panels to convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently, promising inexpensive solar power in the future. Studies find out that nanostructured solar cells could be cheaper to manufacture and easier to install, since they can use print-like manufacturing processes and can be made in flexible rolls rather than discrete panels. o Used to develop many new kinds of batteries that are quicker-charging, more efficient, lighter weight, have a higher power density, and hold electrical charge longer. o An epoxy containing carbon nanotubes is being used to make windmill blades that are longer, stronger, and lighter-weight than other blades to increase the amount of electricity that windmills can generate. o In the area of energy harvesting, researchers are developing thin-film solar electric panels that can be fitted onto computer cases and flexible piezoelectric nanowires woven into clothing to generate usable energy on the go from light, friction, and/or body heat to power mobile electronic devices. Similarly, various nanoscience-based options are being pursued to convert waste heat in computers, automobiles, homes, power plants, etc., to usable electrical power. 7  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students o Energy efficiency and energy saving products are increasing in number and types of application. Nanotechnology enabled more efficient lighting systems; lighter and stronger vehicle chassis materials for the transportation sector; lower energy consumption in advanced electronics; and light-responsive smart coatings for glass.  Environmental Remediation o Nanotechnology help meet the need for affordable, clean drinking water through rapid, low-cost detection and treatment of impurities in water. o Nanoparticles are being developed to clean industrial water pollutants in ground water through chemical reactions that render the pollutants harmless. This process would cost less than methods that require pumping the water out of the ground for treatment. o Nanofabric "paper towel" woven from tiny wires of potassium manganese oxide that can absorb 20 times its weight in oil for cleanup applications. o Many airplane cabin and other types of air filters are nanotechnology-based filters that allow “mechanical filtration,” in which the fiber material creates nanoscale pores that trap particles larger than the size of the pores. The filters also may contain charcoal layers that remove odors. o Nanotechnology-enabled sensors and solutions are now able to detect and identify chemical or biological agents in the air and soil with much higher sensitivity than ever before.  Transportation Benefits Nanotechnology offers the promise of developing multifunctional materials that will contribute to building and maintaining lighter, safer, smarter, and more efficient vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, and ships. o Nano-engineered materials in automotive products include polymer nanocomposites structural parts; high-power rechargeable battery systems; thermoelectric materials for temperature control; lower rolling- resistance tires; high-efficiency/low-cost sensors and electronics; thin-film smart solar panels; and fuel additives and improved catalytic converters for cleaner exhaust and extended range. Nano-engineering of aluminum, steel, asphalt, concrete and other cementitious materials, and their recycled forms offers great promise in terms of improving the performance, resiliency, and longevity of highway and transportation infrastructure components while reducing their life cycle cost. New systems may 8  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students incorporate innovative capabilities into traditional infrastructure materials, such as self-repairing structures or the ability to generate or transmit energy. o Nanoscale sensors and devices may provide cost-effective continuous monitoring of the structural integrity and performance of bridges, tunnels, rails, parking structures, and pavements over time. Nanoscale sensors, communications devices, and other innovations enabled by nanoelectronics can also support an enhanced transportation infrastructure that can communicate with vehicle-based systems to help drivers maintain lane position, avoid collisions, adjust travel routes to avoid congestion, and improve drivers’ interfaces to onboard electronics. o “Game changing” benefits from the use of nanotechnology-enabled lightweight, high-strength materials would apply to almost any transportation vehicle. Positive Impacts of Nanotechnology 1. Faster, smaller and more powerful computers Nanotechnology contributes to compact, efficient computers that consume far less power and use long-lasting batteries. Circuits made from carbon nanotubes could be vital in maintaining the growth of computer power, allowing Moore's Law to continue. 2. Faster and more accurate medical diagnostic equipment With lab-on-a-chip technology enabling point-of-care testing in real-time, nanotechnology helps to speed up the delivery of medical care. Also, nanomaterial surfaces on implants improve wear and resist infection. 3. Improved pharmaceutical products The use of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products makes them easier for the body to absorb—and easier to deliver, often through combination medical devices. Nanoparticles can also deliver chemotherapy drugs to specific cells, such as cancer cells. 4. Improve vehicle fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance By building vehicle parts from nanocomposite materials that are lighter, stronger, and more chemically resistant than metal, nanotechnology helps to improve fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance. Nanofilters remove nearly all airborne particles from the air before it reaches the combustion chamber, further improving gas mileage. 9  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students 5. Stain-resistant, water-resistant, and flame-resistant fabrics Nanoparticles, or nanofibers, in fabrics can enhance stain resistance, water resistance, and flame resistance—without a significant increase in the weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric. 6. Improved water quality Water filters that are only 15-20 nanometers wide can remove nano-sized particles, including virtually all viruses and bacteria. These cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems are ideal for improving the quality of drinking water in emerging countries. 7. Stronger, lighter-weight sports equipment Carbon nanotubes have a variety of commercial uses, such as improving the design of sports equipment. For example, a tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes bends less during impact and increases the force and accuracy of the delivery. Nanoparticle-treated tennis balls can keep bouncing twice as long as standard tennis balls. 8. Reduced UV exposure Most sunscreens today are made from nanoparticles that effectively absorb light, including the more dangerous ultraviolet range. They also spread more easily over the skin. These same nanoparticles are also used in food packaging to reduce UV exposure and prolong shelf life. 9. Increased shelf life or plastic bottles Many drink bottles are made from plastics containing nanoclays, which increase resistance to permeation by oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture. This helps retain carbonation and pressure and increases shelf life by several months. 10. Enhanced surveillance and security A huge variety of chemical sensors can be programmed to detect a particular chemical at amazingly low levels—for example, a single molecule out of billions. This capability is ideal for surveillance and security systems at labs, industrial sites, and airports. On the medical front, nanosensors can also be used to accurately identify particular cells or substances in the body. 10  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students Some Ethical and Societal Issues on Nanotechnology  lack of control over it - there are no technical means to monitor for example the environment for the presence and impact of nanoparticles and nanomaterials.  unbiased determination of hazards and risks, nonmaleficence (doing no harm), autonomy, justice, privacy, and promoting respect for person  Ethical issues pertaining to workplace situations involving nanomaterials. (NCBI, 2006) Work-related scenarios Ethical principles Decision-making issues Involved Identification and Responsibilities of Extent to which communication of hazards scientists strengths and and risks Nonmaleficence weaknesses of data are Autonomy identified Respect for persons Degree of participation in public discussion Accuracy of communications Timeliness of communications Workers’ acceptance of risks Autonomy Extent of inclusion of Respect for persons workers in decision- Justice making Selection and Nonmaleficence Level of control implementation of workplace Beneficence technologies utilized controls Respect for persons Medical screening of Autonomy Appropriateness of the nanotechnology workers Privacy rationale for medical Respect for persons screening Extent to which participation is voluntary Maintenance of privacy test results Investment in toxicological Nonmaleficence Adequacy of investment and control research Justice Respect for persons 11  A Course Guide in Science, Technology and Society (STS) for College Students REFERENCES: Printed References: Casas, John Miller,Jusayan, Pierce M, Menor, Aida V. & Obanan, Steve P.; Science, Technology and Society; C&E Publishing Inc; 2020 Quinto, Edward Jay Mansarate & Nieva, Aileen Domondon; Science, Technology and ` Society; C&E Publishing Inc; 2019 Seafica, Janice Patria Javier, Pawilen, Greg Tabios, Caslib, Bernardo Nicolas Jr, & Alata Eden Joy Pastor; Science, Technology, and Society 1st Ed; Rex Bookstore Inc; 2018 Prieto, Nelia G, Vega, Violeta A, Felipe, Elizabeth F, & Meneses, Julius L; Science, Technology and Society; Lorimar Publishing Inc; 2019 Related Studies and other Literatures Nanotechnology | NIOSH | CDC. 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