Sargam Nanotechnology 2

Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology, or “Nanotech”, is the study of the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale.

The topic of nanotechnology was first touched upon by physicist Richard Feynman in his talk “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” at an American Physical Society meeting at Caltech on December 29, 1959.

It deals with structures of the size 100 nanometres or smaller where

One nanometre = one billionth of a millimetre}

Bottom: A fly holding a nano microchip chipTop: Hydro Electric Power Generation

FROM LARGER TO SMALLER: Material Perspective

Quantum Size Effect is when the electronic properties of solids are altered with great reductions in particle size. This effect becomes dominant only at nanoscale.

Aluminium cut in half remains aluminium. However, at nanoscale it becomes highly reactive since the molecular structure is changed.

Similarly, copper becomes transparent, gold can be liquefied at room temperature and silicon becomes a conductor of electricity.

Bottom: Change in colour of a material with reduction in size chipTop: Liquid gold

SIMPLE to COMPLEX: Molecular Perspective

Molecular self-assembly is the process by which molecules adopt a defined arrangement without guidance or management from an outside source.

Molecular nanotechnology (MNT) therefore, would be a branch where “machines at the molecular scale are designed and built atom-by-atom”.

Right: Silicon fabricated in the IBM research lab chipLeft: Molecular self assembly

NANOLITHOGRAPHY refers to the fabrication of

nanometer-scale structures developing patterns with at

least one lateral dimension of the size of an individual

atom and approximately 100 nm. Futuristic companies

like IBM are currently researching on the subject

because of its potential in the field of electronics.

Application

Medicine Integration of nanomaterials with biology has led to the development of diagnostic devices, contrast agents, analytical tools, physical therapy applications, and drug delivery vehicles.

Tissue Engineering Nanotechnology can help reproduce or repair damaged tissues and can replace conventional treatments like organ transplants.

Recycling Batteries Today, the huge number of spent batteries represents a disposal problem. Batteries with higher rate of recharging using nanomaterials could be helpful.

Magnetic Nanopores

Magnetic nanoparticles offer an

effective and reliable method to

remove heavy metal contaminants

from waste water

Application

Nano-foods Nanotechnology consumer products are increasing steadily in the market. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) has listed three foods -- a brand of canola cooking oil called Canola Active Oil, a tea called Nanotea and a chocolate diet shake called Nanoceuticals Slim Shake Chocolate.

Agriculture Nanotechnology has the potential to change the entire agriculture sector and food industry chain from production to conservation, processing, packaging, transportation, and even waste treatment

Injection of nanoparticles in food

While the canola oil is meant to contain an

additive called “nanodrops” designed to carry

vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals through

the digestive system, the shake, uses cocoa

infused with “NanoClusters” to enhance the

taste and health benefits of cocoa without the

need for extra sugar.

Future Implications

Health Nanotechnology’s health implications can be split into two aspects: have medical applications to cure disease, and the potential health hazards posed by exposure to nanomaterials.

Society There is a major possibility of military applications of nanotechnology. The abundance of material caused by nanotechnology can result in the change of global economic and political scenario.

An imagined nanopollution scenario

NANOPOLLUTION is a generic name for all

waste generated by nanodevices or during the

nanomaterials manufacturing process. This

kind of waste may be very dangerous because

of its size. It can float in the air and might

easily penetrate animal and plant cells causing

unknown effects.

Future Implications

Corporate On the structural level, critics of nanotechnology point to a new world of ownership and corporate control opened up by nanotechnology. For example, carbon nanotubes have a wide range of uses, especially with respect to computers and its patents have already been bought by big companies like NEC and IBM

Agriculture Applications of nanotechnology have the potential to change the entire agriculture sector and food industry chain from production to conservation, processing, packaging, transportation, and even waste treatment

Carbon nanotubes

CARBON NANOTUBES (CNTs) are allotropes

of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure.

Their length-to-diameter ratio is up to

28,000,000:1. These cylindrical carbon

molecules exhibit extraordinary strength and

unique electrical properties, and are efficient

conductors of heat. Their final usage, however,

may be limited by their potential toxicity.

Future Implications

Grey GooIt is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves—a scenario known as ecophagy (“eating the environment”).

Robots taking over the Earth

Regulation

There has been an ongoing argument about whether nanotechnology should be regulated by the government

Regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. or the Health & Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission have started dealing with the potential risks posed by nanoparticles. So far, nothing is subject to any special regulation regarding production, handling or labelling..

Nanotoxicology

NANOTOXICOLOGY is the study of the

toxicity of nanomaterials. These studies are

intended to determine the extent of which

these pose a threat to the environment

and to human beings. For instance, Diesel

nanoparticles have been found to damage the

cardiovascular system in a mouse model.

What comes under Nanorobotics?

According to Dr. Mark, the world is yet to see its first nanorobot, that is if it is necessary to provide a robot with anthropomorphic features.

A virus injected in a human body does the task it has to do. But is it considered a nanorobot? If not then why?

Do we need to change our perception of robotics?

Nanorobotics ???

Nanotochnology and Science Fiction

Nanotechnology and its use in fiction have attracted scholarly attention.

Arthur Clarke’s “The Next Tenants” (1956) describes tiny machines that operate on a micro scale (one millionth of a metre)

Michael Crichton’s novel Prey describes a swarm of molecule-sized nanorobots develop intelligence and become a large scale threat.

Top: Arthur ClarkeBottom: Michael Crichton

Possible Direction for Science Fiction

Grey Goo scenario

Nano - robotics

Future implications

Health Hazards

Social Scientists ?

Thank youSargam Gupta Science Fiction Visual Communication Design