National Seminar on

ANETD 2011

Applications of

Nanomaterials
for Environment and Technology Development
Proceedings Of The Seminar
11-12 February, 2011

Organized by:
KIIT College of Engineering, Gurgaon
Supported by:
ICMR, CSI and IETE, Delhi

ANETD 2011

KIIT World
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Website : www.kiit.In or write to info@kiit.in

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49

MESSAGE

KIIT

B. R. Kamrah

Chairman, VPS and KIIT

Initiation of organizing the seminars is really praiseworthy. Such programmes

provide enlightenment and enrich the knowledge. Application of
Nanomaterials for Environment and Technology Development is the topic of
thought-provoking choice. Nanotechnology is quite relevant matter for
researchers & intellectuals. Students, faculty and all the participants will be
gaining much out of this initiative particularly when they will be getting
exchange of views on this wonderful topic.
I hope & pray for the success of the seminar which is being organized and to be
conducted on 11th & 12th February 2011 in the KIIT Campus.

Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Aggarwal

Executive Director, KIIT

It gives me immense pleasure to state that KIIT, Gurgaon is organizing a

National Seminar on Nanomaterials for Environment and Technology
Development during 11th and 12th February, 2011. The topic of
Nanotechnology is an important area of research having numerous
applications in various areas, such as Medicine, Industry, Environment,
Agriculture, Power sector etc. In fact, it has revolutionized the very face of
these sectors of applications. Therefore, it has also become important that
this topic is taken as specialized subjects of teaching in technical institutions.
KIIT promotes research and teaching in such advance areas of Science and
Technology. It has taken an initiative to organize a National Seminar in this
area and invited eminent experts and researchers to deliver their lectures and
share the knowledge among the participants of the Seminar.
I wish the Seminar a great success and hope that the participants will be
greatly benefited by the deliberations.

MESSAGE

MESSAGE

KIIT

Prof. K. K. Aggarwal
Ex-Vice Chancellor
G.G.S.I.P. University, Delhi

Prof. K. K. Aggarwal
It is my pleasure to learn that KIIT College of Engineering,
Gurgaon has taken upon itself the responsibility to hold the
National Seminar on Nanomaterials for Environment and
Technology Development on 11th and 12th February, 2011. I
am further happy to learn that this Seminar is a joint venture
of the College, CSI, IETE and AIMA. I have always been an
ardent proponent of networking. While the society, at large,
has been benefited
by the networking of machines,
networking of organizations in the real sense is still to deliver
in the right earnest. I therefore, wish this Conference a grand
success.
Nanotechnology is a branch of Science, which is poised for
unprecedented growth and applications in almost all areas of
human endeavour. As a matter of fact, today we talk of InfoBio-Nano as one discipline. With such fast diffusion of
disciplines, a Conference like this is a highly welcome step.
I take this opportunity to wish this Seminar all success.

PREFACE

KIIT

Preface
This proceeding is devoted to the various research works being carried out in the field of
Nanotechnology & Nanomaterials beneficial to the students & faculty pursuing B.Tech, M.Tech
& research in this field.
This Proceeding book has been divided into three parts consisting of messages from various
dignitaries, renowned researchers from academies and industry, college information, research
papers and industrialist research papers which will enhance knowledge and provide
development skill for researchers, industrialists, academies and students in the field of
Nanotechnology.
This is the time when we are seeing an exciting new development in cutting edge like
Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and
molecular scale, which deals with structures sized between 1-100 nanometers in at least one
dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.
Nanomaterials is a field that takes materials science-based approach to nanotechnology. It
studies materials with morphological features on the nanoscale, and especially those that have
special, properties stemming from their nanoscale dimensions.
Eminent researchers, renowned academicians and experts from the industry have delivered
their talk and shared their knowledge and experience in two day National Seminar
APPLICATIONS OF NANOMATERIALS FOR ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
held at KIIT College of Engineering ,Gurgaon on 11th and 12th Feb-2011.
There has been encouraging response from the speakers and the participants in the national
seminar. A large number of technical papers have been received from various technical
institutions, industries and individuals. We have received valuable guidance and suggestions
time to time from advisory committee. The abstracts are reviewed by panel of experts in
relevant areas and then accepted for presentations in the seminar.
we wish to thank the Management Authorities, Advisory Committee, organizing committee
members & various faculty members of KIIT Group of Colleges, Gurgaon, those have directly
and indirectly helped us to prepare case studies on various new emerging technology.
We are glad to present the proceeding of the National Seminar for permanent record to all
recipients and wish great success for this seminar

Prof. V K Syal, Principal (Convener ANETD-2011)

Assoc. Prof. Kanika Kaur(Co-Convener ANETD-2011)
Dr. Neeraj Sood ( Organizing Secretary ANETD-2011

KIIT

Invited Talks

Nano-Technology Research & Application

Dr. Pawan Kapur
Director
Central Scientific Instruments Organisation
Sector 30-C, Chandigarh
email: drpawankapur@yahoo.com

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is the study of controlling matter on an
atomic and molecular scales. It is different from other
technologies because unusual physical, chemical and
biological properties emerge in materials at the nanoscale
which are governed by a new science. Similarly, nanoscale
features when incorporated into bulk materials and large
surfaces give them completely different properties.
Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from extensions
of conventional device physics to completely new
approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, from
developing new materials with dimensions on the
nanoscale to investigating exiciting application.
Nanotechnology is not a mono-faculty but follows a
concept of catch-all term involving multiple fields thereby
affecting a whole gamut of areas, ranging from the
environment, to healthcare, offering variety of commercial
products. The application domain include: sunscreens and
cosmetics, surface coatings, paints and some food
products and many more. The electronic devices to realise
many complex functions has vast scope in electronics and
ICT sectors also. The next generation computers are all
being aimed in this direction to process and store huge
amount of data for information exchange. The inherent
ability in nanotechnology to engineer matter at the
smallest scale is opening unexpected doors that will allow
limitations in many existing technologies to be overcome
and thus has the potential to be part of every industry in
one or other form such as Nanoelectronics, Nanomaterials
and Nano-Biotechnology.
The implications of Nanotechnology can be found in the
field of telecommunications, computing, aerospace, solar

energy, environment and most important of all, medical

field. Due to merging of Nanotechnology with other
technologies and the subsequent emergence of complex
and innovative hybrid technologies, some of the practical
applications within reach are; Smart drugs, targeted drug
delivery systems, military applications, smart battle suit,
next-generation computer processing, programmed
bilogy-the smallest batteries, complex materials- a super
adhesive, new meta materials, energy generation, etc. The
nano level gadgets and materials are used for diagnosing
and treatment of diseases. Nano-Pharmacology has
generated a specific category of smart drugs that have
negligible side effects. The use of Nanotech has helped in
the detection of narcotics and finger prints of the
suspected criminals. Nanomaterials can have wide
applications not only in making nanomedicines, but also in
diagnosis and in manufacturing better medical implants.
Nanocrystalline Silicon Carbide (SiC), for instance can be
used to manufacture artificial heart valves, which are
lighter, stronger, harder, wear resistant and most
importantly, do not react with biological fluids.
Nanorobots, to help in treatment at a cellular level, are seen
as a possibility in the future. Q-Dots can be an effective tool
for monitoring cancerous cells. Carbon nanotubes can be
applied in plastic, water purification, cosmetics, computer
discs, textiles, paints & emulsions and many more.
The talk highlights the R&D activities being pursued at CSIO
in broad areas of Sensing techniques for application in
environmental aspects including agro-based & health
sectors. Coverage is given on Bio-Mems, CNTs, Nanoparticles, Bio-photonics, etc.

01

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Self-Assembled Monolayers as a Form

of Bio-Nano Technology
Prof. Ranjit Chaudhary
Director
Advance Institute of Technology and Management
Delhi-Mathura Road, Palwal
aitmorg.@aitm.org.in

Molecular Self Assembly is the organization of molecules in

an ordered fashion without any external intelligent
intervention. There are numerous examples of molecular
self assembly in nature. Human beings, plants, trees,
animals etc. have molecular self assembly processing
occurring somewhere in their bodies. Molecular self
assembly is crucial to the function of cells and it is exhibited
in the self assembly of lipids to form membrane, the
formation of double helical DNA through hydrogen
bonding of the individual strands, the assembly of proteins
to form quaternary structures. Supra molecular
assemblies, micelles, liquid crystal phases are examples of
molecular self assembly in chemistry. Molecular self
assembly is an important aspect of bottom up approach
to nanotechnology. An advantage to constructing
nanostructure using molecular self assembly for biological
materials is that they will degrade back into individual
molecules that can be broken by the body. The oral process
of self assembly is not yet understood, indeed, if it were, a

general understanding of the origin of life would be

achieved. For a physical chemist, the meaning of molecular
self assembly has to do with the ability of a system of
molecules to spontaneously form an ordered molecular
structure.
In this lecture, preparation of Self Assembled Monolayers
of Organic Molecules under the controlled and standard
laboratory conditions would be discussed. Electrochemical
techniques like cyclic voltammetry technique,
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the
calculation of various important parameters to
characterize the self assembled monolayers will be
elaborated for various organic molecules like Mercapto
Nicotinic acid, thioctic acid, cystamine etc. These SAMs can
be further modified by attaching other molecules in a tailor
make fashion to generate new organic interfaces of nano
dimensions which are biologically active and may find
applications in the analysis and recognition of other
important bio-molecules.

Frontiers of Research in
Spintronics & Nanomagnetics
Abstract:
Nanomaterials diversified applications in day todays life
has brought revolution in material science. Synthesis of
nanoparticles has become a trick of trade. Besides other
areas of research magnetic nano structures have got
commercial applications in magnetic hard discs for
computer information storage, magnetic sensors, spin
valves, high speed non-volatile magnetic random access
memories (MRAMs) , magnetic imaging, magnetic
recording heads, magneto-optics; spintronic devices and so
many. In medical science drug delivery, burning of cancer
tissues by hyperthermia effect of nanomagnetic particles
are glaring examples of nanotechnology potential.

02

R. K. Kotnala
National Physical Laboratory
New Delhi 110012,India
rkkotnala@nplindia.org
Recently much attention is being devoted to study the DMS
and Half metallic materials like Strontium FerroMolybdenum Oxide,SFMO, to be used as spintronics
devices. The DMS and Half metallic material (compounds
and alloys) based Hall elements can be easily incorporated
with such spintronics devices. Further, the half metallic
materials may be utilized to provide the simultaneous field
sensing due to Hall voltage and due to magnetoresistive
effect. In this talk future spintronics metal oxide materials
have been discussed briefly and what is being done in our
Lab has been described.

KIIT

Nanotechnology
- The Science of Manipulating Atoms

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating material at
the atomic level. Nanotechnology deals with the very small
sizes ~ 1/80,000th the diameter of a human hair. The uses of
new instruments and tools to manipulate atoms like AFM atomic force microscope, dip-pin lithography and STM have
contributed to the development of nanotechnology. Its
applications are going to be tremendous. From the food we
eat, the clothes we wear and the products we manufacture
to the composition of our bodies, everything is made of
atoms. And if we can manipulate the atoms then we can
change almost every product to our desired specifications.
Coal and diamonds, for example, are both constructed
from carbon atoms. Even though it may sound far-off at
times, within ten years nanotech will have huge effects on
many industries, including manufacturing, health care,
energy, agriculture, communications, transportation, and
electronics. Within a decade, nanotechnology is expected
to be the basis of $1 trillion worth of products and will create
anywhere from 800,000 to 2 million new jobs in the United
States alone. The clothing industry has already started to
feel the effects of nanotech. Eddie Bauer, for example, is
currently using embedded nanoparticles to create stainrepellent khakis. A plastic nano-composite is being used for
"step assists" in the GM Safari and Astro Vans. It is scratchresistant, light-weight, and rust-proof, and better in

Shatendra K Sharma
Professor and Director
University Science Instrumentation Centre
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi-1100067 India
e-mail: shatendra@gmail.com

strength and reduced in weight, which leads to fuel savings

and increased longevity. And in 2001, Toyota started using
nano-composites in a bumper that makes it 60% lighter and
twice as resistant to denting and scratching. The pace of
development of Nanotechnology from concept to practice
in all sectors will however depend upon how fast the
instrumentation and technology to manipulate atoms and
molecules advance. This would also aid the fields of
electronics, computers, medicine, biology and chemistry
which could see advances rapidly. Artificial life, nanobots &
Borgs, MEMS, Quantum Nanotechnology, Nanoelectronics, Nano-medicine, Self-assembly of nano
materials for repairs. The nanotechnology manufacturing
atom-by-atom promises new materials that will be
stronger, cheaper, faster, powerful and more durable.
Possibility of revolutionary breakthroughs in
detection/treatment of diseases are not ruled out. Nanoscale electronic devices using carbon nanotubes , quantum
dots spintronic devices, neuron regeneration using carbon
nano-tube prosthetics devices, Chemical and biological
sensors Carbon Nano-tubes. The bottoms up approachin
the field of nanotechnology are introduced. The scale levels
of objects are compared. The techniques of making and
manipulating nano-materials are discussed.

Small Wonders with Giant Societal Impact

S.K.Chakarvarti
Director, Research and Development
Manav Rachna International University
Faridabad, Haryana, India
e-mail:skchakarvarti@gmail.com

Abstract:
The science of the miniature- nanotechnology, though a
relatively new field, is fast emerging as the 'favourite of all'
kind of technological arena due to its applications in almost
every field, from medicine to fabrics. In Greek, the word
'Nano' means dwarf and materials when reduced to nano
dimension (10-9metre =1namometre) show drastic changes
in physical, chemical, magnetic, optical, mechanical and
electrical properties. It is now being realized that Small

Matters Do Not Matter Small! This promises exiting

applications in bioscience, medical science, environment,
electronics, cosmetics, security and variety of other fields.
We all know that all things on this earth are made up of
atoms, which are the smallest particles. The properties of
everything are determined by the arrangement of the
atoms. Thus, if atoms in coal are rearranged, we can get
diamond. At present, though scientists are able to move
03

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molecules and atoms in a mass yet they are still not able to
precisely manipulate them. But in future, nanotechnology
will allow as redesign easily and create what we want
exactly. Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary subject
which essentially combines Physics, Chemistry, Bioinformatics Bio- technology, etc besides engineering.
Though the field at present is in infancy (started some 16
years ago in India), the country is making dedicated efforts
not to lag behind. Further, nano materials would be very
light, strong, transparent, and totally different from bulk
material because they are a thousand times smaller than
the diameter of human hair, which is around 60 microns.
According to the scientists, 21st century would be the
nanotechnology century. It is estimated that
nanotechnology would revolutionize every area, be it
medicine, aerospace, engineering, various industrial and
technological areas, health or any other field and there is

going to be 5th Industrial revolution touching every aspect

of mankind and society. The societal impact of this
technology will be enormous. The scope and application
of nanotechnology is tremendous and mind-boggling.
Nano-biotechnology can make tiny medical devices and
sensors with fantastic military and civilian use. Converting
sunlight into power, targeting a drug to a single malignant
cell, cleaning ponds and creating sensors in the form of
biochip, to be interested in the human body are some of the
important landmark breakthroughs of nanotechnology.
The technology has the potential to produce garments
which can block chemical and biological weapons from
touching the skin of a person.
This talk is going to enlighten and address non-specialists so
as to create awareness, inquisitiveness and generate
inspiration and stimulation for undertaking research in the
area of nano-/ micro technology.

Novel Nanomaterials:
Preparation and Characterization
Subhash C. Kashyap
Department of Physics
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 110 016
e-mail: skashyap@physics.iitd.ac.in

Abstract:
In the context of materials, the word nano means that a
tiny sample/cluster of atoms is crystalline and its
dimensions lie in the range of a few nm. We can of course
have clusters of different morphologies - a few nm in each
dimension called quantum dots (zero dimensional- or 0D-),
a few nm long called quantum rods/nanowires (1D-) and a
few nm thick single film/epitaxy or multilayers (MLs)
(i.e.2D-structure). Understandably surface to volume ratio
of atoms in any of these nanostructures is higher than in
poly- and single-crystalline bulk materials, which renders
them different properties which are useful for several
applications, and thus make these materials so important.
Nanomaterials for spintronics, data storage and optical
devices having exotic characteristics fall in the category of
novel materials. Spintronics (spin electronics) refers
basically, to the study and application of the extra degree of
freedom of carriers (e.g. electrons), namely their spin for
the development of multifunctional and novel devices like
spin valves, magnetoresistive sensors, read heads, spinFET, magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for MRAM etc.
Essentially, there are two kinds of nanomaterials systems
for such devices which can exploit the spin of charge
04

carriers:(i) All metal nano-multilayer systems (spin valves)

exhibiting GMR and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs)
having TMR are employed for ultra-high density magnetic
data storage, and (ii) ferromagnetic semiconductors
exhibiting room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) and
fully spin-polarized compounds are potential candidates
for new electronic device structures. Nanometric magnetic
multilayers separated by an insulating layer (e.g. CoFeB,
InMn, MgO etc) form MTJs. The room temperature
ferromagnetism (RTFM) has recently been predicted, and is
being actively investigated in transition metal (TM) doped
TiO2, ZnO and SnO2 etc and explained by different
mechanisms of their origin, though without converging to a
single one. Multicomponent chalcogenides materials are
employed for optical data storage.
In our laboratory we are pursuing research work on both
types of magnetic nano- materials/ systems. We are also
synthesizing nanowires of both Si and SiGe alloy in a singlemode field-separated (H011) cylindrical microwave (MW)
resonant cavity at 2.45GHz. In the case of SiGe alloy the PL
spectrum has shown two peaks with higher intensity than
in the PL spectrum of pure Si, thereby establishing that the

KIIT
alloying improves the quantum efficiency. Besides, a
polycrystalline hard ferrite (M-type barium hexaferrite,
BaFe12O19) has been transformed into a nano-phase,
which has now turned into a soft ferrite, by an efficient and
rapid method of microwave processing.

In the present review talk an attempt will be made to briefly

describe some of our recent work on the preparation and
characterization of some of the above-mentioned
nanomaterials.

Application of NANO in Pharmaceuticals

Vinod Arora, Vice President
Pharma Research, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited
R&D Centre, Gurgaon

Abstract:
Nano technology is essentially the creation of materials,
devices and systems at the nano meter scale. It is an
extension of miniaturization. The prefix nano means one
billionth and is derived from the greek word Dwarf. As per
James Murday & Mike Roco by 2015 Nano technology
market prediction is of ~ $ 1 trillion. Out of this 34% will be
for nano materials and 20% for pharmaceutical and
healthcare. Healthcare will provide highest returns on
nano technology and therefore it is catching attention of

everyone. In drug development ~30% of discovery actives

are water insoluble drugs and are not evaluated in animal
studies because of formulation problems. This will result in
reducing cost and improve success rate of NCE. Nano
technology will serve as a tool to formulate insoluble
potential drug candidates. Through nano technology one
can increase solubility, improve bio availability of the drugs
and also reduces dose/pill burden. It is said that 21st
Century will witness nano tech led revolutions.

Carbon Nanotubes and Its Applications

Mushahid Husain
Nanotechnology program, Department of Physics
Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi-110025
Email: mush_reslab@rediffmail.com

Abstract:
The discovery of carbon nanotubes added a new dimension
to the knowledge of carbon science and nanotechnology.
Today, nanotechnology is the hot topic attracting
scientists, industrialists, government and even the general
public. Nanotechnology is the creation of functional
material, devices and systems through control of matter on
the nanometer scale and exploitation of novel phenomena
and properties of matter at that length scale. Carbon
nanotubes are supposed to be key component of
nanotechnology.
Carbon nanotubes are unique nanostructures with
remarkable electronic and mechanical properties, some
stemming from the close relation between carbon
nanotubes and graphite, and some from their onedimensional aspects. The manner in which carbon forms
bonds is the basis for the variety of carbon nanotubes
structures that are seen. These have generated a great of
interest due to their unique band structure and have
noticeable electrical properties that are directly related to

their quantum mechanical structure. Their electronic

properties can be either semiconducting or metallic
depending on the degree of graphitization, helicity and
tube diameter. These properties have great potential for
nanoelectronic device applications, which are also
important, both for scientific and technological
development. Nanotubes are potentially useful in field
emitters, flat panel displays, hydrogen storage, scanning
probes etc.
Carbon nanotubes are currently attractive materials for a
diverse range of applications because of their
extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties. Their
application has already been demonstrated in field
emission displays, nanoscale electronic devices, biosensors
and hydrogen storage mediums. The proposed
applications of CNTs are in micro-electronics/
semiconductors conducting composites, controlled drug
delivery / release, artificial muscles, batteries, polymer
composites and sensors.
05

Participants Papers
Synthesis, Characterization and Photo-Luminescence
Properties of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ Nanophosphor
V.B. Taxak, Mukesh Kumar and S. P. Khatkar
Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001

Abstract:
Europium-activated Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3 nanocrystals were
synthesized by combustion method using an aqueous
concentrated paste of calculated amounts of metal nitrates
and organic fuel. The paste is kept in a preheated furnace
maintained at 500oC. Comparing with traditional material
processing techniques, combustion method is a relatively
simple method. The advantages of short time reaction and
low temperature solution base process have been
exploited to produce Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nano
particles. The phase transformation involved in the pure
homogeneous mixture formation. Synthesis conditions
such as calcinations temperature and organic fuel
concentration are varied in order to determine the exact
optimum conditions for synthesizing nano particles with
superior optical properties and smaller particle size. The
nano crystals obtained through combustion method was
characterized by using scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The
morphology of the phosphor was studied by SEM. The
average nanoparticle size of the synthesized phosphor
was found in the range from 30 nm to 50 nm.. The
photoluminescence (PL) spectra shows predominant red
colour of the nano crystals prepared under an UV source
revealed red luminescence that was attributed to
transitions [5D0 7F2] at 612 nm .In addition, effect of
heat treatment on the size of the nano crystals and the
dependence of the luminescence intensity on the Eu3+
concentrations have also been discussed.
Introduction
Nanotechnology for materials, as an innovative technology
in the twenty-first century, is expected to revolutionize the
materials technology. This technology realizes
improvement in functions and characteristics of materials
as well as creation of new functions through controlling
materials structure on a super-fine scale. Phosphors are
the photoluminescence materials which can absorb the
visible light, store the energy and gradually release the
energy as visible light, which leads to a long persistent after

06

glow [1-2] Rare earth activated multicomponent oxide

phosphors have been widely investigated for application in
display devices, lights and detectors. However, for these
applications phosphor particles must have good
characteristics such as high brightness, spherical shape and
narrow size distribution. In recent years, rare earth ionsactivated phosphors on the nano scale have been
attracting much interest of the scientists due to the
excellent luminescence and potential applications in
luminescent devices and display equipment, such as field
emission display (FED), vacuum fluorescent display (VFD),
electroluminescent (EL) devices, and plasma panel display
(PDP) devices[3-6].
With the development of scientific technologies on
phosphors, several chemical synthetic techniques such as
sol-gel [7], co- precipitation [8] and solvothermal [9]
methods, have been used to synthesize phosphors. In
contrast, the combustion synthetic technique [10] is quite
simple and rapid in which the reaction lasts for only few
seconds.
In the present work,: Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+
nanocrystals have been synthesized by combustion
method. The advantages of short time reaction and low
temperature solution based process have been
exploited to produce Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nano
particles. The phase transformation involved in the pure
homogeneous mixture formation. Synthesis conditions
such as calcinations temperature and Eu3+ ions
concentration are varied in order to determine the exact
optimum conditions for synthesizing nano particles with
superior optical properties and smaller particle size.

Experimental details
High purity gadolinium, aluminium and europium nitrate
from Aldrich chemicals were taken as starting materials.
The phosphor nano materiales were prepared by rapidly
heating an aqueous concentrated paste containing

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calculated amounts of metal nitrates and fuel in preheated
furnace maintained at 500oC. Eu3+ doping in the host
lattice involves trace level substitution of ions present in
these lattices by activators ions. These type of
substitutions generally require high temperature and long
processing times, whereas the facile combustion synthesis
of these phosphors require low ignition temperature and
short time duration. The material undergoes rapid
dehydration and foaming with the evolution of gases.
These volatile combustible gases ignite and burn with a
flame yielding voluminous solid. The combustion process
utilizes the enthalpy of combustion for the formation and
crystallization of the nanophosphor at low ignition
temperature. The solid obtained was milled to a fine
powder and again fired at 500oC to 900oC for 2-3 hrs to
increase the brightness. The morphology of the phosphors
was studied by SEM using Jeol JSM 6510 model.
Photoluminescence was observed with a
spetrofluorometer F-7000.
Results and discussion
Photoluminescence properties Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+
of nanophosphor
The photoluminescence (PL) spectra and excitation
spectra of the nano crystals prepared shows predominant
red colour under an UV source ( Fig.1a and b) which is
attributed to the transitions [5D0 7F2] of Eu3+ at 612 nm
.In addition the dependence of the luminescence intensity
on Eu3+ ions concentrations and effect of heat treatment
on the particle size of the nanocrystals have also been
investigated. It was observed that the luminescent
intensity of the synthesized nanoparticles strongly depend
on the calcination temperatures. Furthermore, it was
observed that the PL intensity of the nanoparticles
increased rapidly on calcination up to 900 C and beyond
this there was no observable change in the PL intensity.
This is mainly due to the improvement in doping,
crystallinity and the increase of particle size, as small
particles do not have high luminous efficiency arising from
grain boundary effects. Also, this is an indication that
certain properties of the nanoparticles, such as crystallite
size or disorder of the local environment surrounding the
activator ions, influenced the PL spectra and calcination is
important to extract the maximum luminous efficiency.
The emission intensity at 612 nm of Eu3+ ions was also,

Figure 1(a and b) : PL emission spectra and excitation spectra

of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanoparticles.

investigated as a function of Eu3+ concentration in Al2xGd

2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanoparticles. It was found that the PL
emission intensity of Eu3+ increased with the increase of
the concentration, reaching a maximum value at 3mol%
for Eu3+, and then decreased with increasing the
concentration. This is because of a well known
phenomenon of concentration quenching in rare earthdoped system due to mutual Eu3+- Eu3+ interactions.

SEM images of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanophosphor

The surface morphological features of the nanocrystals
were studied by Jeol JSM 6510, scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The SEM image of Al2xGd 2(1-xy)O3:2yEu3+ particles are shown in the figure 2. The assynthesized nanophosphors show an unusual morphology
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i.e. forming cracks and porous network due to rapid
release of gases by-products during the combustion. This
type of porous network is typical of combustionsynthesized powders [11]. These porous powders are
highly friable which facilitates easy grinding to obtain finer
particles [12].

method is to produce fine powder phosphors that may be

used as more promising and intensity materials in
displaying bright luminescent red color.

References
1

C. Chang, D. Mao, J. Shen, C. Feng, J. Alloys Comp. 348

,224 (2003).

2 C. Chang, L. Jiang, D. Mao, C. Feng, Ceramics

International 30,285 (2004).
3. J. Dhanaraj, R. Jagannathan, T.R.N. Kutty, C.H. Lu, J.
Phys. Chem. B 105 , 11098 (2001).
4. Z.G. Wei, L.D. Sun, C.S. Liao, C.H. Yan, S.H. Huang, Appl.
Phys. Lett. 80, 1447 (2002).
Figure 2: SEM images of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanoparticles

The particle size of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanocrystals

has been observed in the range from 30 nm to 50 nm. The
narrow size distribution of these nanoparticles is very
uniform with regular shape. The particle size cannot be
measured exactly from the SEM micrographs shown in
Figure2.

Conclusion
The present method gives homogeneous and fine sized
particles of Al2xGd 2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanophosphor.
Comparing with traditional material processing
techniques, combustion method is relatively a safe, simple
and rapid method. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of
the nano crystals prepared shows predominant red colour
under an UV source which is attributed to the transitions
[5D0 7F2] of Eu3+ at 612 nm. The particle size of Al2xGd
2(1-x-y)O3:2yEu3+ nanocrystals have been observed in the
range from 30 nm to 50 nm. Advantage of the present

08

5. S.P. Khatkar, S. D. Han, V.B. Taxak, D. Kumar, R. Kumar,

J.Lumin.,126, 597 (2007).
6. K.S. Sohn, W. Zeon, H. Chang, S.K. Lee, H.D. Park,
Chem. Mater. 14, 2140 (2002).
7. R.P. Rao, J. Electrochem. Soc, 143, 189 (1996)
8. T.M. Chen, S.C. Chen, C.J. Yu, J. Solid State Chem, 144,
437 (1999).
9. X.D. Zhang, H. Liu, W. He, J.Y. Wang, X. Li and R.I.
Boughton, J. Alloys Comp. 372, 300 (2004).
10.

M.B. Kakade, S. Ramanathan and P.V.

Ravindran, J. Alloys Comp. 350, 123 (2003).

11. S.P. Khatkar, V.B. Taxak, D. Kumar, S. D. Han, C.H. Han,

G. Sharma, J. Korean Phy. Soc. 48, 1355 (2006).
12. C.A. Morrison, D.E Wortman, Gavernment Document
AD7350319, Harry Diamond Laboratory Report,
HDLTR1563 (1971).

KIIT

Combustion Synthesis and Photoluminescence

Characteristics of KBaPO4:Eu Nanoparticles
Mukesh Kumar, V.B. Taxak and S. P. Khatkar
Maharshi Dayanand University,
Rohtak-124001, India

Abstract:
Europium-activated KBaPO4 nanocrystals were
synthesized by combustion method using an aqueous
concentrated paste of calculated amounts of metal nitrates
and urea. The paste is kept in a preheated furnace
maintained at 500oC. Comparing with traditional material
processing techniques, combustion method is a relatively
simple method. The advantages of short time reaction and
low temperature solution base process have been
exploited to produce KBaPO4:Eu nano particles. The
phase transformation involved in the pure homogeneous
mixture formation. Synthesis conditions such as
calcinations temperature and urea concentration are varied
in order to determine the exact optimum conditions for
synthesizing nano particles with superior optical properties
and smaller particle size. The nano crystals obtained
through combustion method was characterized by using
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The average nanoparticle
size of the synthesized phosphor was around 25nm to 40
nm. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra shows
predominant red colour of the nano crystals prepared
under an UV source revealed red luminescence ,that was
attributed to transitions [5D0 7F2] at 613 nm .In addition,
effect of heat treatment on the size of the nano crystals
and the dependence of the luminescence intensity on the
Eu3+ concentrations have also been discussed.
Introduction
In recent years, rare earth ions-activated nanostructure
materials have been attracting much interest due to the
excellent luminescence and potential applications in
luminescent devices and display equipment, such as
lighting, field emission display (FED), cathode ray tubes
(CRT), and plasma display panels (PDP) resolution [1-6]. In
the present time, field emission display (FEDs) , plasma
display panels (PDPs) are attracting deal of attention as
new display technology . Scientist have undertaken
investigations of the influence of particle size on the
optical and electronic properties of nanocrystal materials

of rare earth oxides [7-8]. The origion of nanoparticle

research can be said to be in study of colloids ,their
synthesis and characteristics . The quantum confinement
and major changes observed in other properties have
been the subject of intense research .The surface and
interface of nanocrystal play an important role in the
optical and electronic properties . Many phosphors have
been made in nanophase by employing different
techniques . In the present work KBaPO4:Eu nanocrystals
have been synthesized by combustion method. The
advantages of short time reaction and low temperature
solution based process have been exploited to produce
KBaPO4:Eu nano particles.

Experimental
High purity chemicals were taken as starting materials. The
phosphor nano materiales were prepared by rapidly
heating an aqueous concentrated paste containing
calculated amounts of metal nitrates and fuel in preheated
furnace maintained at 500oC. Eu3+ doping in the host
lattice involves trace level substitution of ions present in
these lattices by activators ions. These type of
substitutions generally require high temperature and long
processing times, whereas the facile combustion synthesis
of these phosphors require low ignition temperature and
short time duration. The material undergoes rapid
dehydration and foaming with the evolution of gases.
These volatile combustible gases ignite and burn with a
flame yielding voluminous solid. The combustion process
utilizes the enthalpy of combustion for the formation and
crystallization of the nanophosphor at low ignition
temperature. The solid obtained was milled to a fine
powder and again fired at 500oC to 900oC for 2-3 hrs to
increase the brightness. The morphology of the phosphors
was studied by SEM using Jeol JSM 6510 model.
Photoluminescence was observed with a
spetrofluorometer F-7000.

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Results and discussion
Photoluminescence properties KBaPO4:Eu of
nanophosphor
The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the nano crystals
prepared shows predominant red colour under an UV
source ( Fig.1) which is attributed to the transitions [5D0
7F2] of Eu3+ at 613 nm .In addition the dependence of
the luminescence intensity on Eu3+ ions concentrations
and effect of heat treatment on the particle size of the
nanocrystals have also been investigated. It was observed
that the luminescent intensity of the synthesized
nanoparticles strongly depend on the calcination
temperatures. Furthermore, it was observed that the PL

Figure 2: SEM images of KBaPO4:Eu nanoparticles

Conclusion
The present method gives homogeneous and fine sized
particles of KBaPO4:Eu nanophosphor. Comparing with
traditional material processing techniques, combustion
method is relatively a safe, simple and rapid method. The
photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the nano crystals
prepared shows predominant red colour under an UV
source which is attributed to the transitions [5D0 7F2]
of Eu3+ at 613 nm. The particle size of KBaPO4:Eu
nanocrystals have been observed in the range from 25 nm
to 40 nm. Advantage of the present method is to produce
fine powder phosphors that may be used as more
promising and intensity materials in displaying bright
luminescent red color.

References
Figure 1 : PL emission spectra of KBaPO4:Eu nanoparticles
SEM images of KBaPO4:Eu nanophosphor

intensity of the nanoparticles increased rapidly on

calcination up to 900 C and beyond this there was no
observable change in the PL intensity.

SEM images of KBaPO4:Eu nanophosphor

The surface morphological features of the nanocrystals
were studied by Jeol JSM 6510, scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The particle size of KBaPO4:Eu
nanocrystals has been observed in the range from 25 nm to
40 nm.
The narrow size distribution of these nanoparticles is very
uniform with regular shape. The particle size cannot be
measured exactly from the SEM micrographs shown in
Figure2. The particle size of KBaPO4:Eu nanocrystals have
been observed in the range from 25 nm to 40 nm.

10

1. A.J.Kenyonn, C.E.Chryssou and C.W.Pitt, J.Appl. Phys.

91, 367 (2002).
2. Y.H. Li and G.Y. Hong, J. Solid State Chem.178, 645
(2005).
3. J. Dhanaraj, R. Jagannathan, T.R.N. Kutty and C.H. Lu, J.
Phys. Chem. B 105, 11098 (2001).
4. Z.G. Wei, L.D. Sun, C.S. Liao, C.H. Yan and S.H. Huang,
Appl. Phys. Lett. 80,1447 (2002).
5. S.P. Khatkar, S. D. Han, V.B. Taxak, D. Kumar, R. Kumar,
J.Lumin.,126, 597 (2007).
6. K.S. Sohn, W. Zeon, H. Chang, S.K. Lee and H.D. Park,
Chem. Mater. 14, 2140 (2002).
7 W.Y. Jia, Y.Y. Wang and F. Fernandez. Mater.Sci. Eng. C
16, 55 (2001).
8 A.J. Kenyonn, C.E. Chryssou and C.W. Pitt.J. Appl. Phys.
91, 367 (2002).

KIIT

Powering the Future with Carbon Nanotubes:

Engineering at the Nano Scale
Parul Sharma
Department of Chemistry
Amity School of Engineering and Technology
Amity University, Manesar, Gurgaon.
Email: sendtoparul@rediffmail.com; sendtosharma_parul@yahoo.com

Abstract:
Engineering at the nano-scale is challenging and we are in
the early stages of figuring out how we can do it right, to
build structures, devices and systems that would embody
the Nanotechnology revolution. Engineers/Scientist can
create new building blocks that produce materials with the
exact properties they desire, which are generally smaller,
stronger and lighter than current technologies. In this
endeavor Carbon Nano-tubes have had a special role.
Carbon nano-tubes are very thin hollow cylinders made of
carbon atoms. The beauty of these carbon nano-tubes is
that they are 10,000 times thinner than human hair. It is this
property which makes them vulnerable to be use in varied
fields. Nano-tubes are fascinating materials from the point
of view of structure, form, growth and properties.
The talk will focus on several novel applications of Carbon
nano-tubes such as nanostructured electrodes for sensors,
electrical interconnects, unique filters for separation
technologies, thermal management system,
multifunctional brushes, bulk composites and so on. One of
the major and useful applications of CNTs is in the area of
Biomedical Engineering. Currently, the technique is very
useful in site-specific drug delivery and medical imaging.
Clean energy generation and efficiency is critical to our
future. Through Nanotechnology innovation, we can
improve the efficiencies of the technologies we have and
discover new ways to achieve sustainable development.
Just as with every good technique, along-with merits, there
are demerits as well. The paper will also highlight the
potential pitfalls or side effects associated with nanoparticles.
Keywords: Carbon Nanotubes; Nanotechnology; Novel
applications, Efficiency
INTRODUCTION
As world wide demand for energy surges at an everincreasing rate, there is a new urgency to improve the
efficiency and sustainability of Existing technologies. One
of the keys to addressing this challenge is innovation and
some of the most promising solutions are occurring at
nanoscale-the smallest scale. Carbon Nanotubes have long

been recognized as the stiffest and strongest man-made

material known to date. In addition to high electrical
conductivity, their other eyecatching features viz
mechanical, optical and chemical characteristics opened a
new window for future applications. However, due to their
miniscale size, the excellent properties of these
nanostructures can only be exploited if they are
homogenously embedded into light-weight matrices as
those offered by a whole series of engineering polymers.
CNTs are basically classified into three categories-Single
Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT), Double Walled Carbon
Nanotubes (DWCNT) and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
(MWCNT). SWCNT and MWCNT can be fabricated using
various techniques; the commonest and relatively simple is
the Simple Vapour Deposition Technique. CarbonNanotubes are an important new class of technological
materials that have numerous novel and useful properties.
Besides CNT, Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Graphene, Fullerene has
received full attention over the past few years as
Nanodevices.
ZnO Nanostructures
ZnO nanostructures have increased drastically in recent
years. Intense research by many different groups has
focused on novel nanostructures with different shapes
ranging from nanowires to nanobelt and nanosprings. ZnO
nanostructure can be obtained using Chemical Vapour
Deposition Technique including growth with and without
catalyst (Wagner et al., 1964). These nanostructures have
been widely used for sensing applications because of their
high sensitivity to the chemical environment. ZnO
nanostructures are currently used in various applications
such as Light Emitting Diode , sensors, Solar cells . ZnO at
nanoscale in a nanostructure form serves as an electrode
material as well as a template for Phase Separation.
Graphene: a promising Nano device
Graphene has attracting an increasing interest due to its
remarkable physical properties ranging from Dirac Electron
spectrum to Ballistic Transport under ambient conditions.
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Graphene is the two dimensional building block for Carbon
allotropes of every other dimensionality. Its recent
discovery in Free State has finally provided the possibility to
study experimentally its electronic and phonon properties.
Graphene a layer of carbon lattice arranged in honeycomb
lattice is extremely promising for use in new generation
digital electronic devices (Wang et al., 2010).
Fullerene
Nanoparticles are recognized as promising building blocks
for future applications; however their fixation on surfaces
or in a matrix is an ardent task. Double layer of spherical C60
carbon-molecules, called fullerenes, can be an ideal
substrate for this. Fullerene is a molecule composed
entirely of carbon in the form of hollow sphere, ellipsoid or
tube. Spherical Fullerenes or Buckyballs or Carbon
Nanotubes have a wide variety of applications. They are
extremely useful in medicine in Cancer therapy, as a light
activated antimicrobial agent (Tegos et al., 2005).
Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Water Purification
Metal Oxide like Silver and Titanium Dioxide are the most
promising antimicrobial nanoparticles for water
purification. They are used for analytical detection of
contaminants in water sample. Water purification using
nanotechnology exploits nanoscopic materials such as
carbon nanotubes and alumina fibers for nanofiltration.
Nanofilters made by Carbon nanotubes can remove all
kinds of water contaminant like turbidity, oil, bacteria, virus
and other organic contaminants. Surface Engineered Silica
nanoparticles can remove biological molecules, pathogens
such as viruses like the Polio virus, bacteria like Escherichia
coli, and Cryptosporidium parvum, which is a waterborne
parasite. Supra paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are
being widely used for various biomedical applications for
example, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Targeted delivery

12

of drugs or genes and in Hyperthermia (Ito et al., 2005)

POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF NANOPARTICLES
Although the power of Nanotechnology is indisputable, the
possibilities of irreversible harm from its indiscriminate use
must also be taken into consideration. Many of us are
aware of this fact that Nanoscience can produce all kinds of
new and improved products, the particles that are created
are so incredibly small that they may very well cause
eventual health problem to the users. The need of the hour
is to eradicate or lessen this load of demerits which
ultimately and surely proves Nanotechnology as a boon to
mankind.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Author is Grateful to Dr. Shalini Srivastava, Dayalbagh
Educational Institute, Agra for providing academic
guidance for this piece of work. Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan,
Chancellor, Amity University, Manesar and Dr. V.K. Sayal,
Principal, KIIT College of Engineering, Gurgaon is highly
acknowledged.
REFERENCES
R.S. Wagner and W.C. Ellis, Graphene: a promising
Nanoparticle. Applied Physics Letter 4 (1964), p. 89
Zhenxing Wang. A high-performance top-gate
graphene field-effect transistor based frequency
doubler, Applied Physics Letters (2010).
Tegos, G. (2005). Cationic Fullerenes: an effective and
selective antimicrobial photosensitizers. Chemistry &
Biology, 12 (10): 11271135.
Ito A, Shinkai, M., Honda H., Kobayashi T. Medical
applications of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles,
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2005, 100, 1-11

KIIT

Nanotechnology: A Giant Leap in

Space Exploration

Yamini Sarada1, Kavita Gupta2 and S.C.Gupta3

and Professor, Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities
3
Professor in Electronics & Director
Northern India Engineering College, Shastri Park, Delhi-53

Introduction
Ever since Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on 20 July,
1969 the space exploration had advanced a lot with its new
technologies. Various space missions were made mainly by
USA and USSR and some of them were spectacularly
successful. When it comes to taking the next giant leap in
space exploration, NASA is thinking really small. The official
site of NASA says: The science of nanotechnology could
lead to radical improvements for space exploration.
Foremost among the challenges facing the US space
program are improving the performance, reliability and
cost effectiveness of spacecraft. Recent advances in the
field of nanotechnology promise techniques that will meet
these challenges through molecular scale manufacturing of
sensors, machines and computers. These nanometer sized
devices have the potential to revolutionize spacecraft
design and thus may bring an end to the space shuttle era.
Why Nanotechnology?
The principles of Physics, as far as I can see, do not speak
against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by
atom Richard Feyman
Nanotechnology works on the molecular scale to assemble
new materials using the most fundamental of structures.
All work is done in nano-scale, where one nanometer is
equal to one billionth of a meter. Molecular
nanotechnology expresses the concept of ultimately being
able to arrange atoms in a predetermined fashion by
manipulating individual atoms [Aono]. Molecular
nanotechnology promises revolutionary advances not only
in manufactured products, but in the processes used to
make them. It is the culmination of many fields like
microelectronics, chemistry, molecular biology and
material sciences. Each of these fields reaches its ultimate
in precise molecular control, which is the ability to build
large structures to complex atomic specifications by direct
positional selection of reaction sites [Drexler].

In laboratories across the country, NASA is supporting the

burgeoning science of nanaotechnology. NASA Institute
for Advanced Concepts (NAIC) grant was awarded to Chris
Phoenix of the Centre of Responsible Nanotechnology to
study the feasibility of this new technology in space
exploration. In his report Phoenix explains that a
nanofabrication could produce spacecraft parts with
atomic precision, meaning that each atom within the object
is placed exactly where it belongs. The resulting piece
would be extremely strong, and its shape could be within
the width of ideal design with no more than a single atom of
difference. Ultra smooth surfaces would need no cleaning
or lubrication and almost never suffer the ravages of time.
Such a high accuracy and reliability of the parts of a
spacecraft is of utmost importance when it comes to the
lives of astronauts. Information systems and science
systems based on nanoscale electronics will extend beyond
the limit of silicon, leading to the capability to conduct
highly complex missions with nearly autonomous
spacecraft. Key areas of NASA research and technology
development involve high performance aerospace
materials including carbon nanotubes and high
temperature nanoscale composites, ultrahigh density low
power space-durable information systems, electronics and
sensor systems.
Carbon Nano-Tubes (CNT)
Researchers have found that the effects of radiation on
electronic devices are greatly reduced when the devices are
made smaller. Corrosion, electrical interference and
mechanical strain are all environmental effects caused by
continued exposure to radiation. Carbon nanotubes and
boron nanotubes are two molecular materials developed
which are capable of hardening when exposed to radiation
for long periods of time (Jacquelyn). The extraordinary
features of these nanotubes are that they have 100 times
the strength of steel, but only 1/6th of their weight. They are
40 times stronger than graphite fibers and conduct
electricity better than copper.
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The technology that designs the future
The field of nanotechnology is so new that scientists are still
discovering new capabilities and applications. Foreseen
developments within space exploration include
establishing colonies of nanorobots on Mars and Venus and
building space elevators that will place spaceships and
satellites into Earths orbit (Jacquelyn). Space colonization
efforts would use nanorobots to construct projects on
other planets by remote control using the environmental
materials at hand. Sensors and cameras would be built by
the nanotubes and used to monitor the construction
projects. Plans for space elevators entail constructing a
cable leading from earth surface to a point beyond
geosynchronous orbit using carbon nanotubes as the
material. As the planet rotates, the inertia at the end of the
cable counteracts gravity and also keeps the cable taut.
Electric lifts would run the length of the cable. Due to
lightweight durability of carbon nanotubes the satellites
and space stations can climb the cable and reach the orbit
without the use of rocket propulsion. Due to its enormous
length a space elevator cable must be carefully designed to
carry its own weight as well as the weight of the climber. A
tapered design is suggested as the required strength of the
cable will vary along its length and at various points it has to
carry the weight of the cable below,or provide a centripetal
force to retain the cable and counter weight above [Phani
Kumar].
Taking into account the Earths gravitational and
centrifugal forces, it is possible to show that the optimal
cross-sectional area of the cable as a function of height is
given by
A(r) = Ao exp { P/S[ W2(R2-r2) + G r (1-R/r)]}
where A(r) - the cross-sectional area as a function of
distance r from the Earths center.
Ao - the cross-sectional area of the cable on the Earths
surface
P - the density of the material of the cable
S - the tensile strength of the material
W - the angular velocity of the Earth about its axis
R - the distance between the Earths center and the base
of the cable which is approximately the Earths equatorial
radius
G - the acceleration due to gravity at the base of the cable
The above equation gives a shape where the cable
thickness initially increases rapidly in an exponential

14

fashion, but slows at an altitude a few times the Earths

radius, and then gradually becomes parallel when it finally
reaches maximum thickness at geostationary orbit.
Potential Benefits and Risks
Nanotechnology promises to give us great benefits, but it
also holds great potential for misuse and raises ethical
questions related to health, privacy, human enhancement,
military, economics etc. The medium and long term
benefits of nanotechnology are truly amazing. In the
medium term, the nanosystem devices would be directly
involved in the manufacturing process. The technology
enables the fabrication of stronger materials that could
improve reliability and reduce spacecraft dry weight,
resulting in increased payload capacity and higher orbital
altitude , ultimately reducing the cost to orbit [Drexler].
Tiny, inexpensive inertial guidance systems could assist
unmanned exploratory spacecraft, planetary roversand
interplanetary probes. A dense network of distributed
embedded sensors throughout a spacecraft could
continuously monitor mechanical stresses, temperature
gradients, incident radiation, and other parameters to
ensure mission safety and optimize system control. With
such extensive monitoring and increasingly efficient
control of propulsion systems, mission success rates would
increase at lowered cost.
The long term benefits of molecular nanotechnology are
most relevant as the settlement of space is a long term
enterprise. The most important benefit arises from the
ability to bootstrap production via self-replicating universal
assemblers. This capability would probably lower the
manufacturing cost by many magnitudes and also make
possible inexpensive access to space.
While it is true that nanosystems could significantly lower
the cost of Space missions, other factors must also be
considered. The prime concern is that if the policy makers
make decisions about molecular nanotechnology with the
assumption that humanity is limited to Earth, the results
will most probably be catastrophic. Secondly it is not
known how quickly nanosystems will reach maturity, or
how much effort will be directed toward including them in
the design of space application. The absence of a significant
human direction toward space may allow social inertia
including cultural attitude toward frontiers, civil and
criminal law to become major obstacle in developing
nanosystems for space applications. An umbrella of
regulations is already in place for assessing and regulating
the hazards new materials impose on human health and

KIIT
environment. In the light of the findings that the workers
who are repeatedly exposed to high levels of carbon
materials are at risk, researchers have started to investigate
whether the carbon exposure and skin disease relationship
applies to carbon nanotubes as well.
Conclusion
Mark Freeman a researcher in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University conducted a survey in 2008 to determine what
the public thinks about this new technology. The study was
based on the assumption that as ours is a democratic
political structure the public opinion reasonable matters.
The result showed a majority of participants believing that
nanotechnology is the right technology to lead to
improvements in space exploration. The National Space
Society believes that the serious development of the long
range field of molecular nanotechnology must be
supported as it will benefit the entire human race.
Extraterrestrial activities are a natural application for
nanosystems, and synergistic effects between space and

molecular nanotechnology can and must be encouraged.

References:
Aono, Masakazu, Atomcraft, JPRS-JST-92-052-L,22 June
1992.
Feyman, Richard, Theres plenty of room at the
bottom, Engineering and Science, California Institute
of Technology, 1960.
K. Eric Drexler, Nanosystems: Molecular machinery,
manufacturing and computation, John Wiley and Sons,
1992.
Jacquelyn Jeanty, How is Nanotechnology used in
Space?
Mark Freeman, A study to determine if nanotechnology
should be applied to space exploration.
Phani Kumar, Principles of Nanotechnology, Scitech
publications.

Role of Nanostructured Materials & Devices

in Environmental Pollution Control
Sanjeev K. Sharma1 and A. K. Jain2
Ansal Institute of Technology, Gurgaon-122 003, Haryana, India.
E-mail: 1sanjeev.sharma@aitgurgaon.org; 2arvind.jain@aitgurgaon.org

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is the natural progression of technology
miniaturization from the bulk macroscopic world to micro
dimensions (e.g., integrated circuits), and, finally, into the
nanoworld (e.g., the quantum dot). The diverse
applications of nanotechnology across a number of
disciplines in recent years have inspired environmental
researchers address the need for efficient and effective
methods and devices for the reduction of environmental
burden by conserving resources, reducing chemical waste,
and utilizing less raw materials, chemicals, and energy.
Industrial and agriculture waste, air pollutants, and waste
waters can be reduced and/or treated by process control,
emission control, and waste treatment Rapid progress of
the nanotechnology and advanced Nanomaterials
production offers significant opportunities for a wide range
of applications for detection monitor, control, and
remediation of a broad range of environmental pollutants

and contaminants. Nanotechnology is also likely to help

prevent a great deal of pollution in the future by affording
the opportunity to reinvent the energy infrastructure that
powers the economy. Nanoscale materials and devices
could result in game-changing breakthroughs in energy
production through advances in hydrogen and solar
energy, and could even beget vast improvements in the
efficiency and cleanliness of carbon-based energy.
Key words: Nano remediation, Nano-catalyses, Nanofiltration, Green chemistry
1. Introduction
Advancement in science and technology have allowed for
the broadening of horizons and miniaturization of
amazingly complex devices and touted as next technology
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revolution. Nanotechnology, defined as techniques aimed
to conceive, characterize and produce material at the
nanometer scale [1], represents a fully expanding domain,
which can be assumed to predict more production and
utilization of nanomaterials without risk in future. The size
particularity of these nanomaterials gives them novel
properties, allowing them to adopt new compartments
because of the laws of quantum physics that exist at this
scale level and thus, offers enormous potential to change
and benefit society. Nanotechnology is todays version of
the space race, and countries around the globe are
enthusiastically pouring billions of dollars into support of
research, development, and commercialization
Applications of nanotechnologies are numerous, in
constant development, and their potential use in medicine,
energy, information technology and many other societal
benefits [2].
Although research and development of environmental
applications is still a relatively narrow area of
nanotechnology work, it is growing rapidly, and
nanomaterials promise just as dazzling an array of benefits
here as they do in other fields. Nanotechnology will be
applied to both ends of the environmental spectrum, to
clean up existing pollution and to decrease or prevent its
generation. Rapid progress of the nanotechnology and
advanced nanomaterials production offers significant
opportunities for a wide range of applications including
treatment of waste streams effluents, elimination or
minimizing the generation of wastes, remediation of
existing polluted sites, development of pollution
monitoring devices like solid state nanobased sensor for
real time remote detection of certain heavy metals ,
engineered nanoparticles to scavenge for pollutants and
toxins in ground water systems and for treatment of
automobile exhaust gas to provide emission control of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) etc. The convergence
of analytical techniques and

into functional analytical devices for future environmental

applications.
2. Objectives:
The objectives of this review article areI. To investigate the current state of knowledge of
applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the
environment.
II. To study the involvement of nanoparticles and devices in
preventing and controlling the various factors leading to
the pollution.
3. Scope of Study
The purpose of this article is to help in explore the
implausible implications of nanoscience and technology for
influencing the larger society benefits from attentive and
accountable accomplishment at present and in future.
Advancement at the nanoscale is constantly improving to
increase energy efficiency, improve human health,
moderate environmental degradation by nanoscientists
and engineers and creating new economic opportunities.
This article is based on an extensive review of literature
published in the last two decades. The selected literature
consisting mainly of scientific publications, but also books,
information from conferences and patent data and World
Wide Web were used.
4. Importance of Natural Source as Water
Water resources and its conservation is the key area which
requires immediate attention due to less amount of usable
water is available for survival to meet the needs of

nanotechnology provides attractive possibilities for

development of miniaturized, rapid, ultra sensitive and
inexpensive methods for in situ and field-based
environmental monitoring devices [3].
The technology that is expected to be proliferated is also
anticipated to be very simple and very inexpensive. These
developments are expected to eventually go a long way
toward ameliorating the shortages of clean, plentiful, lowcost drinking water that plague many areas of the world.
This review provides an overview of the various
nanoparticles and nanostructures and their integration
16

Source: www.wikipedia.org
Figure 1 % Distribution of Earths Water

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increasing population on earth. As per the water
distribution statistics only 3% of total earth water is fresh
water (Fig.1) and less than 0.08 of 1% of the total freshwater
is utilizable [4]. Based on this fact we have an idea of water
availability, need proper attention for conservation and
treatment to reuse water. If we dont manage this properly
then almost 2.7 billion people may be living in either waterscarce or waterstressed conditions in future. Water stress
and scarcity are directly proportional to population
dynamics and renewable freshwater availability. Thus,
keeping in view the term stress and scarce, this review
majorly highlights the uses of nanotechnology in areas
relevant to water storage, water quality treated by
bioremediation and disinfection.
Targeted pollutants can be effectively removed from
contaminated water by using less costly, renewable and
eco-friendly manufactured products by using nanomaterial
based technology. The inherent societal implications of
existing technologies and future potential for groundwater
remediation, pollution prevention, and sensors may affect
acceptance of widespread applications [5]. In this section
of review, application of nanotechnology in water and
waste water treatment is considered, which is explained
under three categories- treatment and remediation,
sensing and detection, and pollution prevention.
5. Treatment and Remediation
Commonly, there are different techniques which can be
used for treatment and remediation of water such as
boiling, distillation, halogen and its derivatives, UV light,
ultrasonic irradiation, reverse osmosis, sediment filters,
ozonization etc. A new research is in steps forward to use
nanotechnology in water purification for safe drinking. A
research was conducted in this regard, based on water
treatment, purification and disinfection by using
nanostructured catalytic membranes, nanosorbents,
nanocatalysts and bioactive nanoparticles. Toxicological
effects due to the application of these engineered
nanomaterials on humans and the environment were also
observed [6]. Magnetic nanoparticles are used to separate
heavy metals from water. Exposed magnetite
nanoparticles in aqueous systems are very much prone to
air oxidation and are easily aggregated, consequently,
saturation magnetization and adsorption capacity for
metals are reduced. Recently, resuspended Fe3O4/HA
encumbered with heavy metals de-ionized in water [7]. This
result is followed by a new finding of a novel low-cost
magnetic sorbent material for the removal of heavy metal

ions from water, who coated iron oxide magnetic

nanoparticles (Fe3O4 magnetite) with humic acid (HA)
and observed the stability of material and heavy metal
removal efficiency of the nanoparticles are significantly
enhanced due to the coating [8].
One of the most important stages of any water treatment is
to remove micro-organisms as even after treatment, the
water still contains organic compounds. Currently, chlorine
is used as the disinfectant; however, it removes the microorganisms but reacts to the organic pollutants. Resultantly,
disinfected by-products are formed those are biologically
undegradable and toxic and can not be removed from the
water. On exposure of these by products to the eco- system
and if used in agriculture and other industries, they can
cause serious health hazards. Disinfection process through
chlorine can be replaced by a single step solar nanophotocatalytic wastewater treatment process as a tertiary
treatment process to disinfect the micro-organisms and at
the same time it removes the organic compounds and
makes the wastewater suitable as a water resource.
Microorganisms are used to break down large organic
compounds but, because these compounds are biologically
not degradable, another form of energy can be used like UV
sunlight in association with photocatalysts to break them
down. Energy generated from the photocatalyst cell
reaction can destroy micro-organisms and break down the
undegradable compounds, resulting in eco-friendly clean
water that can be used for agriculture and aquatic uses [9].
Remediation of contaminated water is the process of
removing, reducing or neutralizing water contaminants
that poses human health and ecosystem. Remediation
technologies can be categorized into physico-chemical and
biological methods. Advanced environmental remediation
technologies could be helpful to provide cost-effective
solution to a number of the most challenging
environmental cleaning problems. In this regards, the
nanostructures reviewed as the fabrication metal and
semiconductor nanoparticles for environmental
remediation applications, chiefly in ground water. The
results particularly tailored for remediation of
environmental contaminants including organohalides,
trinitrotoluene, and phenols [10]. Modified iron particles
like catalysed and supported nanoparticles have been
synthesized to further enhance the speed and efficiency of
remediation. These results corroborate a report that iron
nanoparticles are good option for the remediation of heavy
metals in groundwater [11] and pursued a comprehensive
assessment of hexavalent chromium removal in aqueous
solution using iron (Fe0) nanopartcles. Cr (VI) is highly

17

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toxic, carcinogenic and has great mobility which is
commonly notorious contaminant in soil and groundwater
applied in industries. In contrast, Cr (III) is less toxic and
immobile. Physico-chemical adsorption of Cr (VI) is just
transferred but not removed in the reaction of Cr (VI) and Cr
(III) and significant to the environment and feasible
method in the remediation of environmental sites [12]. It
was concluded as Cr(OH)3 should be the final product of
Cr(VI).. Bioremediation by strains of bacteria can also be
degrade the Cr(VI) [13]. Starch becomes more reactive and
prevents nanoparticles from agglomeration. Improved
class of starch- stabilized bimetallic nanoparticles could be
active as a good dispersant to prepare nanoscale Ag
particles in aqueous media [13]. The starch-stabilized Fe0
nanoparticles revealed higher removal efficiency since
starch as a good dispersant could prevent agglomeration of
Fe0 nanoparticles [15]. Recent research has revealed that
bimetallic gold-palladium nanoparticles provide an active
catalyst to break down trichlorethene [24] which is a major
pollutants of groundwater are linked to liver damage,
impaired pregnancy and cancer.
Sensing and Detection
Secondly, the focus of the review deals with sensing device
after treatment and remediation followed by pollution
prevention and green nanotechnologies.
(a) Detection of certain heavy metals
Solid state nanobased sensor is used for real time and
remote detection of heavy metals.
Advancement in nanotechnology has improved chemical
and biochemical sensing which consist of a series of steps
including sample collection, preconcentration,
amplification, separation, detection and transduction. On
the basis of the application, nanomaterials are integrated
into a large array of hydrocarbon extraction, gas
separations and solid state gas sensors and these are used
for monitoring of air pollution, nanoadsorbent materials
for pollutant separations and corrosion inhibitors which are
used in gas industry markets [16]. Now the question arises,
how Nanomaterials could be used to produce new
development in the field of sensing devices? In this context,
electronic materials based sensors are capable to sense and
respond properly to mitigate unwanted problems related
with structural health monitoring that could quickly screen
many pathogens and toxic chemicals and find the primary
signs of disease [16]. The NANO-elements can be used as
18

chemical sensors such as Guided-Optics Intrinsic Chemical

Sensors and produce new development [17]. These sensors
are based on the principle that the chemical species can
affect the waveguide properties. Therefore, it is not the
absorption or emission properties of an analyte that are
measured, but rather the effect of the analyte upon the
optical properties of the optical waveguide. These sensors
are based on effects of the analyte e.g. an increase in the
strain/stress of the coating, modification of the waveguide
temperature, attenuation of the guided light amplitude,
change of the effective refractive index of the mode or
modification of the polarization of the light. The specific
sequence of NANO sensors detects and identifies a
majority of chemical species in same and may also from the
gas/mixtures. When a target molecule reacts with
nanoparticles, the shape of nanoparticle changes and
modifies the reflectivity of the sensor [0]. Single-walled
carbon nanotube (SWNT) sensor platform has been
developed for gas and organic vapor detection at room
temperature and can be understood by charge-transfer
mechanisms [48]. Changes in the electrical properties of
CNTs are used to make gas sensors. Gas sensors have been
used to detect NO2 [4952], NH4 [52,53], H2 [53], and
inorganic vapors [54] through the changes in the resistance
of the CNT layer.
In modern agricultural practice, nanosensors are being
used for detection of pest, pest nanocides, genetic
selection of plants and animals for optimal production and
targeted therapies. In the food industries, nanotechnology
is applied in different ways such as in packaging that
responds to environmental conditions and protect food
quality, in food Safety for which nano based sensors (e.g.
FRID) are used to track and monitor agricultural and food
products to prevent interfering and ensure safety and
nanoparticle compounds are used to improve food quality
by preventing oxidiation or environmental degradation of
health promoting compounds such as antioxidants and
micronutrients. Nanochips, an advanced applications of
sensors for real-time continuous monitoring and utilize labon-a-chip technology including sensing in impure streams,
in situ water quality monitoring of biological and chemical
species, and studying interactions of pollutants in the
environment. Specifically engineered nanoparticles that
can be placed in ground water systems to scavenge for
pollutants and toxins, catalysts could be developed that
weaken pollutants [20]. The first protein biochips made up
of silicon with proteins consist of functional groups protein
that can sense low concentrations of target substances and
organisms [21].

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Treatment of Automobile exhaust
Nanoparticles can be used to react with and treat
automobile exhaust gas to provide emission control of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Recently a U.S.
company Nanostellar has developed an automotive
pollution control catalyst for diesel engines that contains
gold platinum and palladium ingredients. This is a major
step forward in cost effective emission control as the result
showed that NS Gold increases hydrocarbon oxidation
activity by 15-20% at equal precious-metal cost. A tri-metal
formulation of NSGold allows the proportions of each
metal to be adjusted to help catalyst [25], volatile organic
compound (VOC) emissions from stationary sources and
ammonia slip in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems
[26]. Another example of nanomaterial is a non toxic
lubricant has dispersion of nanometer size particles that
coagulate, smoothen and repair surfaces of the engine and
result in the reduction of friction and wear [27]. On the
other hand, most oil additives contain sulphur and
phosphorous in complex organic molecules that
breakdown under pressure and high temperatures and
contribute to the pollutants in the emission. The
nanoscopic airborne pollution already in existence, from
the carbon particles in car exhaust, the manganese oxide in
welding fumes and from coating process [28].

sorbent used to remove mercury from waste stream [32]

and nanomembranes can also be used to remove hardness
and Desalination [33]. Recently, magnetic nanoparticles
were used to remove arsenic from water [34]. Table 1 shows
a comparative analysis of As removal efficiency which is the
result of the treatment of known concentrations of As
solution and Fe3SO4. Figure 2 shows removal of arsenic
from water by using magnetic batch separation of 16-nm
water-soluble Fe3O4 NCs with a conventional separator
(Dexter Magnetic LifeSep 50SX). The field gradient at full
field was 23.3 T/m.
Particle Size(nm)

As(v)/As(III) Concentration of As

Residual (500 g/liter)

Removal (%)

12 As(III) 3.9 99.2

20 As(III) 45.3 90.9

300 As(III) 375.7 24.9

12 As(v) 7.8 98.4

20 As(v) 17.3 96.5

300 As(v) 354.1 29.2

Table 1: A comparative analysis of As removal efficiency,

assuming a treatment of 2 litres of As solution
(500g/liter) with 1g of Fe3O4.

Removal of arsenic and other toxic metals

Nanocomposite filters can remove arsenic and other toxic
metals from drinking water. High arsenic levels may come
from certain fertilizers, animal feedlots, and industrial
waste used to indicate improper well construction, the
location, overuse of chemical fertilizers and herbicides.
Several organizations like World Health Organization
(WHO), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have
determined that inorganic arsenic can cause cancer in
humans [29]. Nanotechnology might help improve water
problems by solving the technical challenges that removing
water contaminants including bacteria, viruses, arsenic,
mercury, pesticides and salt pose. Use of nanoparticles for
water treatment will allow manufacturing that is less
polluting than traditional methods and requires less labour,
capital, land and energy [30]. A team at Pennsylvania State
University has developed a way of detecting arsenic in
water by using nanowires on a silicon chip [31]. Nanotechnology developed and patented a resin called NanoComposite Arsenic Sorbent (N-CAS), to remove arsenic
from water. Another study has revealed that nanoporous

Figure 2: Removal of arsenic from water by

using magnetic batch separation

Pollution prevention
The Pollution Prevention can be defined as source
reduction i.e. any practice that can diminish the amount of
any hazardous substance, pollutant and reduce the hazards
to public health and the environment allied with the release
of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants [35]. The
application of nanotechnology to pollution prevention is
two-fold i.e. it could be used to make a manufacturing
process environmentally benign or it could itself be an
environmentally benign product that replaces raw
materials or a toxic substance. Green nanotechnology can
access to this direction.

19

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Green Nanotechnology

treatment, Nanowerk.

Green nanotechnology is a chemical philosophy promotes

the design of industrial chemicals and processes that
reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous
substances. Green Chemistry or sustainable chemistry,
Green Engineering, and Industrial Ecology are the fields of
Green Nanotechnology which is about gearing precisely at
the source to make green nano-products and using them in
support of sustainability [36]. Green Nanotechnology
formulate use of the principles of Green Chemistry, Green
Engineering, and Industrial Ecology to make nanomaterials
without toxic ingredients at low temperatures by using less
energy and renewable inputs.

http://www.csid.com.cn/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=88545

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Nanotechnology In Biomedical Engineering

Meenakshi Yadav1, Aditya Sharma2, Akriti Singh Chauhan3
Department of Bio-Medical Engineering
Dronacharya College of Engineering.
Gurgaon-123506, India.
1

meenakshiyadav03@gmail.com
2
adisharma41@yahoo.com
3
akriti_friend@yahoo.com

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is the use of materials with fundamental
length scales less than 100 nm in at least one dimension.
Nanotechnology has begun to revolutionize materials used
for many traditional sciences and engineering. However,
the use of nanotechnology in biomedical applications
remains at its infancy. Diagnostics, drugs delivery, and
prostheses & implants are three areas where
nanotechnology is entering the bio-medical sector.
Convergence of Nanotechnology and biomedical
engineering along with biotechnology results in growth of
Nanobiotechnology. The biomedical applications of
nanotechnology are the direct products of such
convergences. However, the challenges facing scientists
and engineers working in the field of nanotechnology are
quite enormous and extraordinarily complex in nature.
Utility of nanotechnology to biomedical sciences imply
creation of materials and devices designed to interact with
the body at sub-cellular scales with a high degree of
22

specificity. This could be potentially translated into

targeted cellular and tissue-specific clinical applications
aimed at maximal therapeutic effects with very limited
adverse-effects. Nanotechnology in biomedical sciences
presents many revolutionary opportunities in the fight
against all kinds of cancer, cardiac and neurodegenerative
disorders, infection and other diseases.
Keywords: Diagnostics, Therapeutics, drug delivery,
prostheses, implant, Nanorobots.
I. INTRODUCTION
Definitions of nanotechnology are as diverse as the
applications that are available, it can be best explained as
the ability to design and control the structure of an object
at all length scales from the atom up to macro scale.
Nanotechnology is emerging as a new field enabling the
creation and application of materials, devices, and systems

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at atomic and molecular levels and the exploitation of novel
properties that emerge at the nanometer scale [9]. Many
areas of biomedical engineering are expected to benefit
from nanotechnology including sensors for use in the
laboratory, the clinic, and within the human body, new
formulations and routes for drug biocompatible, highperformance materials for use in implants. Interest is
booming in biomedical applications for use outside the
body, such as diagnostic sensors and lab on- a-chip
techniques, which are suitable for analyzing blood and
other samples, and for inclusion in analytical instruments
for R&D on new drugs [1]. For inside the body, many
companies are developing nanotechnology applications
for anticancer drugs, implanted insulin pumps, and gene
therapy. Other researchers are working on prostheses and
implants that include nano-structured materials.
II. MAJOR APPLICATIONS OF NANO TECHNOLOGY IN
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING:

nanosensor devices for detecting the biological signatures

of cancer. Combined, such technologies could lead to
earlier diagnosis and better treatment for patients with
cancer. An overview of clinical diagnostic.
In vitro diagnosticsDNA chip, lab-on-chip, cell-on chip [11].
In vivo diagnostics-- Molecular imaging, Implantable
devices, Nanobiopsy
On vivo diagnostics-- Wearable sensors
B. Nano-Drugs
Cosmetics based on quantum dots are already sold in large
quantities it uses one type of particle in sunscreens. These
particles are protective and cause minimal damage to DNA
in sunlight. The quantum dots are luminescent particles,
more stable than the organic dies used today. And they are
nontoxic. Drugs come in many categories: Simple
continues structures like creams or lotions: change the
properties of skin or control its exposure to external

A. Diagnostic use
Virus: The development and potential application of
nanotechnology tools for single-virus particle detection by
emergent nanotechnology is likely to revolutionize
diagnosis and determining treatment endpoints for life
threatening virus infections. Direct detection of biological
macromolecules using semiconducting nanowires or
carbon nanotubes for electrical field change
measurements is a milestone application in this field [6].
The promise of selective detection at a single particle level
(stochastic sensing) with nanowire or nanotube field-effect
transistor-based devices is a major breakthrough for
outbreak situations, where a rapid and specific detection of
the viral agent allows intervention at public health level.
Alzheimer's disease: it is an extremely sensitive technique
for finding minute amount of certain disease protein in
body fluids. In this marker is a ADDL which is a sub unit of
protein that aggregates into nerve entangling amyloids
plaques that come to riddle the brain in later stages of
disease. Bio barcode amplification is done due to which
presence of ADDL molecules is done even at the lowest
level, it raises the exciting possibility of an accurate
diagnosis years earlier, even before the onset of disease.
Cancer: It includes detecting cancer at its earliest stages,
pinpointing its location within the body, and even
determining these drugs are killing malignant cells [3].
Nanotechnology is being applied to cancer in two broad
areas: the development of nanovectors, such as
nanoparticles, which can be loaded with drugs or imaging
agents and then targeted to tumours, and high-throughput

Figure.1 Image of calcium phosphate nano composite

particles (CPNPs) used for breast cancer therapy.
elements such as sunlight. Large macromolecular
biological structures include vaccines (modified viruses):
interact specifically with DNA or protein within the body.
Molecular drugs are nano-size.
Drugs are designed specifically to interact with known
biological targets. Example: neurotransmitter molecules
(molecular carriers) concentration too high or too low cause
depression: intelligent nanoscale development by blocking
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or decreasing the destruction Of this molecule by modifying
their binding properties. Same approach to drug therapy is
now applying in AIDS and Breast cancer therapy [figure.1].

nervous system into the brain, where they are interpreted

and processed. The aim of neuro-electronic interface

C. Drug delivery
Drug delivery increases bioavailability (presence of drug
molecule where they are needed in the body). Example antidepressants should be in the brain, anticancer drugs at the
tumor sites, anti-inflammatory at sites of stress. Targeted
drug-delivery allows doctors and patients to benefit from
small dosages at just the right place and thus from fewer
side-effects [4]. The lipid or polymer based nanoparticles
have been developed which are capable to alter the
pharmacokinetics and bio-distribution of a drug [5].
Molecules can be encapsulated within nanoscale cavities
Figure.4 SEM Image of Nanoporous 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering

technology is to permit the registration, interpretation, and

response to these signals to be handled by a computer
[figure.3].
Figure.3 Conceptual drawing of the 3D interfacing system
with Fluidic channels (yellow square) & Recording
Electrodes (red square)e.3
E. Tissue Engineering
Figure.2 Structure of Liposome for drug delivery

inside polymers, CNTs, Liposome's structure [figure.2] &

Magnetic nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology can help to reproduce or to repair

damaged tissue. Tissue engineering makes use of
artificially stimulated cell proliferation by using suitable
nano-material-based scaffolds and growth factors as
cleared in figure.4. Tissue engineering might replace

D. Neuro-Electronic Interfaces
It involves neuro-electronic interfacesthe idea of
constructing nano-devices that will permit computers to be
joined and linked to the nervous system. The construction
of a neuro-electronic interface simply requires the building
of a molecular structure that will permit control and
detection of nerve impulses by an external computer [11].
The nerves in the body convey messages by permitting
electrical currents (due to ionic motion) to flow between
the brain and the nerve centers throughout the body. The
most important ions for these signals are sodium and
potassium ions, and they move along sheaths and channels
that have evolved specially to permit facile, controllable,
rapid ionic motion. This is the mechanism that allows us to
feel sensations such as putting our foot in hot water and
feeling the heat move from the local nerve through the
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Figure.4 SEM Image of Nanoporous 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering

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todays conventional treatments like organ transplants or
artificial implants [2]. Advanced forms of tissue engineering
may lead to life extension. Nano-fibers and nanocomposites are highly promising recent additions to
materials in relation to tissue engineering. To achieve the
goal of tissue reconstruction, nano-fibrous scaffolds must
meet some specific requirements: A high porosity and an
adequate pore size are necessary to facilitate cell seeding
and diffusion throughout the whole structure of both cells
and nutrients. Biodegradability is essential since scaffolds
need to be absorbed by the surrounding tissues without
the necessity of a surgical removal. The rate at which
degradation occurs has to coincide as much as possible
with the rate of tissue formation.

increase the risk of sepsis or septic shock because the

pathogens are completely digested into harmless sugars,
amino acids and the like, which are the only effluents from
the nanorobot.

F. Implants and Prosthesis

The techniques based on biological nanostructures are
feasible. Researchers put a biological material in a molda
straitjacket, as it werewhich forces it to assume the
shape of a body part, such as a hipbone. Biomimetic
nanostructures start with a predefined nanochemical or
physical structure [7]. A nanochemical structure may be an
array of large reactive molecules attached to a surface,
while a nanophysical structure may be a small crystal.
Researchers hope that by using these nanostructures as
seed molecules or crystals, a material will keep growing by
itself [8]. Other groups want to apply nanostructured
materials in artificial sensory organs such as an electronic
eye, ear, or nerve. Both feats are far off.
G. Nano-robots -Respirocytes & Microbivores
A hypothetical artificial mechanical red blood cell or
respirocyte made of 18 billion precisely arranged structural
atoms. The respirocyte is a blood borne spherical 1- mm
diamondoid 1000-atmosphere pressure vessel with
reversible molecule-selective surface pumps powered by
endogenous serum glucose. This nanorobot would deliver
236 times more oxygen to body tissues per unit volume
than natural red cells and would manage carbonic acidity,
controlled by gas concentration sensors and an onboard
nano-computer [12]. Nano-robotic artificial phagocytes
called Microbivorescould patrols the bloodstream,
seeking out and digesting unwanted pathogens including
bacteria, viruses, or fungi as in figure.5. Microbivores would
achieve complete clearance of even the most severe
septicemic infections in hours or less [10]. This is far better
than the weeks or months needed for antibiotic-assisted
natural phagocytic defences. The nano-robots do not

Figure.5 Nanorobotic artificial phagocytes called Microbivores

II. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Nanotechnology has become an integrated subject. It has
flourished its arms in every field. The biomedical
applications of nanotechnology are the direct products of
integration of nanotechnology and biotechnology.. This
could be potentially translated into targeted cellular and
tissue-specific clinical applications aimed at maximal
therapeutic effects with very limited adverse-effects.
Nanotechnology in biomedical sciences presents many
revolutionary opportunities in the fight against all kinds of
cancer, cardiac and neurodegenerative disorders, infection
and other diseases.
III. CONCLUSION
Utility of nanotechnology to biomedical sciences imply
creation of materials and devices designed to interact with
the body at sub-cellular scales with a high degree of
specificity. Its diverse strength ranges from medical nanodevices that are routinely implanted or even injected into
the bloodstream to monitor health to the automatically
participate in the repair of systems that deviate from the
normal pattern.
REFERENCES
[1] Mark Ratner/Daniel Ratner, Nanotechnology: A Gentle
Introduction to the Next Big Idea, 2/e ed.: Prentice Hall,
Pages (94-99)
[2] Principles of Tissue Engineering 2nd ed. San Diego:
Academic Press, 2000.
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[3] Ludwig, J.; Weinstein, J. Biomarkers in cancer staging,
prognosis and treatment selection. Nature Rev. Cancer
2005, Pages (5, 845-856).
[4] Mads Brandbyge Carbon Nanotubes: Introduction to
Nanotechnology 2003,
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applications of
Nanotechnolgy

approaches in biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol 19,

97101, 2001.
[9] Roco MC, Williams RS, and Alivisatos P, Eds.
Nanotechnology Research Directions. Kluwer
Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 2000, chap. 8.
[10] D. Hansford, T. Desai, J. Tu, and M. Ferrari.

[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology.

Biocompatible silicon wafer bonding for biomedical

[7] Cooke, F.W. Bulk properties of materials, in Ratner,

B.D.,Hoffman, A.S., Schoen, F.J., and Lemons, J.E.,
Eds., Biomaterials Science: Introduction to Materials in
Medicine. Academic Press, London, 1996.

microdevices. Micro and Nanofabricated ElectroOptical-Mechanical Systems for Biomedical and

Environmental Application. Vol. 3258, pp. 164168,

[8] Curtis, A. and Wilkinson, C. Nantotechniques and

Applying Nanotechnolgy to Electronics:

Recent Progress in Si-Lsi to Extend Nano Scale
Neha Gupta and Neeru Bala
(ECE Deptt.) Northern
India Engineering College, New Delhi

Abstract:
Nanotechnology broadly includes all technologies that
handle nano scale materials having the range of 10 to 100
nm. Materials of these sizes have been prepared using two
techniques namely bottom-up technique and top down
technique. The top-down method is applied to process
macro scale materials into smaller size like in
semiconductor process whereas the bottom up method
integrate molecules or atoms into nano scale materials like
in DNA and proteins. This paper discussed the recent
progress and current trends in nanotechnology R&D
towards industrial application.
1.ARCHITECTURE LEVEL OF SI-LSI TECHNOLOGY:
One candidate in constructing an electronics device using
the bottom- up method is to combine it with the bottomdown method.When the device is constructed not only the
bottom- up method, we must examine the following:
Architecture Level

No. of Technology Devices

Materials

<1

Single Device

Basic Circuit
Functional Block

Manufacturing
Manufacturing

10-10
2

10 -10

2-1.MOLECULAR MEMORY: A dielectric

Film for a DRAM capacitor was fabricated using the bottomup method of nanotechnology.A primary cell of DRAM
comprises a pair of a transistor and a capacitor. As the
depth of the dielectric film decreases, the leakage current
of the capacitor increases and as the area of the film
decreases, the capacitor decreases.But this technique has
the disadvantage of higher cost.Prof. Werner G. Kuhr and
his colleagues,proposed a two layer film as a dielectric film
which comprises a self assembled monolayer (SAM) and an
electrolyte.The film is so designed that its capacitance and
electromotive force can be controlled by a redox reaction
between the SAM and a electrolyte.The SAM is fabricated
on a silicon or metal substrate allowing the self alignment
of molecules and is compatible with the present
semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

LSI Design
LSI Design

Table1: Architecture levels(1 to 4) of Si-LSI Technology.

26

2.RECENT PROGRESS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY IN

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: As an example of nanotechnology,
five research works are discussed.The first three are related
to a material and a single element in terms of Si-LSI
architecture, and the latter two are related to the basic
circuit and the functional block.

2-2. FINE PROCESSING:

Flash Memory, a major non volatile semiconductor

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memory, comprises a unit of a single transistor, in contrast
to DRAM which comprises a unit of two element.Highly
integrated flash memory is in big demand for portable
devices such as cellular phones and can now show static
and dynamic images that require large memory capacity.
Flash memory has the size limit in the depth of the
tunneling oxidized film. A floating gate-type transistor, a
typical element of flash memory, stores information using a
charge at the floating gate that is fabricated by stacking
two gates. A charge is injected using a tunneling oxidized
film by applying voltage at the control gate. The tunneling
oxidized gate must be sufficiently insulating to store the
charge during the guaranteed data retention
period(usually 10 years). The depth of the tunneling
oxidized film cannot be reduced in accordance with the
scaling rule, and is limited beyond the certain depth. This
prevents transistor in flash memory from being
miniaturized further and prevents the operating voltage
from being reduced.
A new structure that may solve the problem has been
presented where the floating gate is replaced by a number
of nano-dots(non continuous film). A charge accumulating
electrode made of continuous film does not work when
the film contains atleast one defect while an electrode
made of non-continuous film works even when the film
contains a sufficient amount of defects. The nano- dots
tunneling oxidized film provides higher fault tolerance and
allows thinner depth of the film.
When nano dots are fabricated using the conventional
semiconductor process,the size and geometrical
placement of dots are not well controlled as designed
which leads to non-reproducible devices.This suggest that a
new technique is needed to fabricate nano dots of a
designed,uniform size.
2-3. ELECTRO- MIGRATION SWITCH USING IONS :
It is a migration of metal atoms in solids when electric
current flows at high density which has been avoided to due
to the malfunction of LSIs.The eFuse uses electo-migration
for rewiring elements,cells and units inside LSI.The eFuse
features reproducible fine wiring without damage.
2-4. DEVICE ARRAYS:
It is been attempted to combine conventional integrated
circuits, which are even now being miniaturized further
using the top- down method, with nano- tubes or nano
wires which focuses on the element that need to be further
reduced in size. The LSI accommodates pattern size

Fs(repetitive size: Fs) in pattern size F(repetitive size: 2x

F,F> Fs) where the pattern size F is achieved using the
conventional lithography whereas the pattern size Fs is
achieved without lithography. The periodic pattern
fabricated by the pattern size Fs is ready to construct
functional block such as memory cell or gate array in which
a transistors are periodically arranged. A primary device in a
cell is a logic circuit built by diodes and transistors that are
built by crossing nano- wires.
In this LSI design, the connection between circuits
constructed by conventional lithography and arrays of
nano- wires etc. is realized as a key technology. A decoder
built using a 2x Fs repetitive size is proposed for binding the
2xFs and 2xF, whereas the decoder must be built without
using lithography. Doping to nano- wires or nanoimprinting may be a solution.
If the problems are solved using the present
manufacturing technology, the LSI design has the potential
for immediate commercialization.
2-5. QCA LOGIC LSI:
QCA is attractive because the design element in QCA is
potentially reduced in size to that one which we use in
CMOS. Although the architecture of QCA was proposed ten
years ago, its impressive applications to integrated circuits
has not yet been reported. The lack of design methodology
of QCA by which functional elements are integrated in a
system account for some of the difficulties facing by QCA.
Prof. Steven C. Henderson has designed a design
methodology that built a structured model of elements and
conducts modeling and verification on a lower
architecture.
Complicated LSIs have recently been effectively designed
in a short period using commercially available reusable LSI
design assets (IP). A technology to reuse IP plays an
important role in effectively integrating elements that are
governed by new physical phenomena.
3. TOWARDS STEADY PROGRESS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY:
Nanotechnology might not replace all micro- scale
technology immediately. Smooth transition from micro to
nano or smooth integration of nanotechnology with
conventional technologies is essential.The concept of
Evolutionary nano and the Revolutionary nano should
not be confused as both the concept are entirely different
from each other and comprises the different idea. Long
term investment based on well planned strategy is
essential for the materialization of the next generation
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technologies such as nano- technologies, where planning
should include impressive success in industry signifying the
bright future of the technology.

2. Prasher R., Proceedings of the IEEE Vol.94, No.8,

p..1571(August 2006).

4. CONCLUSION:

3. R e a c t i v e N a n o T e c h n o l o g i e s ( R N T )
http://www.rntfoil.com

Nano- scale materials for nanotechnology have been

prepared using two techniques: the top- down and bottomup methods. The top-down method is applied to process
macro scale materials into smaller size like in
semiconductor process whereas the bottom up method
integrate molecules or atoms into nano scale materials like
in DNA and proteins. This paper discussed the recent
progress and current trends in nanotechnology R&D
towards industrial application.
Nanotechnolgy is presented as a realistic, promising
technology for the future due to the recent progress in this
field, where nanotechnology is combined with
conventional Si- based electronics.
Although the pros and cons of the top down and the
bottom up method have been discussed but there are
much far development which has yet to be done.
REFERENCES:
1.

Marquis F.D.S., Chibante L.P.F., Journal of Materials,

p.32 (December 2005).

4.

Takagi, A., et al. (2008). Induction of mesothelioma in

p53+/- mouse by intraperitoneal application of multiwall carbon nano-tubes, J. Toxicol. Sci. 33:105-116 .

5.

Lademann, J., et al (2001). Investigation of follicular

penetration of topically applied substances. Skin
Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14:17-22.

6. Federal Register: November 5, 2008 (Volume 73,

Number 215); EPA SNUR for Siloxane modified silica and
siloxane modified alumin ananoparticles
(http://www.epa.gov/EPA-TOX/2008/November/Day05/ t26409.htm).
7.

Kreilgaard, M. (2002) Influence of microemulsions on

cutaneous drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 54:S77S98.

8. Utilizing the Thermodynamic Nanoparticle Size Effects

for Low Temperature Pb-Free Solder Applications
Koppes John P., Grossklaus Kevin A., Muza Anthony R.,
Revur R. Rao, Sengupta Suvankar, Stach Eric A., and
Handwerker Carol submitted to Acta Materialia.

Green Nanotechnology
Praveen Choudhary1 and Meenu Vijarania2
Computer Science Department
Dronacharya College of Engineering, Farrukhnagar, Gurgaon
1
praveenchoudhary09@gmail.com
2
meenuhans.83@gmail.com

Abstract:
Green nanotechnology refers to the use of nanotechnology
to enhance the environmental-sustainability of processes
currently producing negative effects. Green
nanotechnology is the development of clean technologies,
"to minimize potential environmental and human health
risks associated with the manufacture and use of
nanotechnology products, and to encourage replacement
of existing products with new nano-products that are more
environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle." The
ability to eliminate waste and toxins from production
processes early on, to create more efficient and flexible
solar panels, and to remove contaminants from water is
becoming an exciting reality with nanotechnology.
28

Designing nanoproducts for the environment and with the

environment in mind is the essence of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology is one of those exciting ,albeit infrequent,
technological change agents that can influence all
industries. Nanotechnology hold the potential for
pervasive and revolutionary changes. These changes can
follow a path leading to waste, pollution and energy
inefficiency or follow a path of green technology to a more
sustainable future.
Nanotechnology offers the opportunity to head off
adverse effects before they occur.
Green Nanotechnology can proactively influence the

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design of nanomaterials and products by eliminating and
minimizing pollution from the production of nanomaterial,
taking a life cycle approach to nanoproducts to estimate
and mitigate where environmental impacts might occur in
the product chain. Green Chemistry and Green Engineering
priciple are put to use to make nanomaterials and nanoproducts without toxic ingredients, at low temperatures
using less energy and renewable inputs. Manufacturing
processes for non-nano materials and products more
environmentally friendly using nanotechnology.
1. INTRODUCTION
New generation of highly efficient environmental
technologiesfrom solar technologies and waterpurification systems to sensors that detect pollution
levelsis becoming a reality as a result of
nanotechnologys revolutionary properties and increased
investment in this field. But some researchers are
beginning to integrate green engineering and chemistry
principles early on into their production methods for
nanomaterials and nanoproducts.
Green nanotechnology involves an approach to risk
mitigation in an emerging and important set of industries. It
involves three complementary goals: (a) advancing the
development of clean technologies that use
nanotechnology, (b) minimizing potential environmental
and human health risks associated with the manufacture
and use of nanotechnology products and (c) encouraging
replacement of existing products with new nanoproducts
that are more environmentally friendly throughout their
life cycles. These approaches not only offer environmental
benefits but also will help give us greater security and help
us address public health crises among other benefits. This
critically important approach of nanotechnology needs
further attention and integration into manufacturing
processes, educational curricula and policy efforts. The U.S.
government needs a strategy for encouraging and
stimulating green nanotechnology.
Green nanotechnology is the development of clean
technologies, "to minimize potential environmental and
human health risks associated with the manufacture and
use of nanotechnology products, and to encourage
replacement of existing products with new nano-products
that are more environmentally friendly throughout their
lifecycle.
As part of its GreenNano initiative to advance the
application of green chemistry and green engineering
principles to nanotechnology, the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies will host a program focused on
corporate perspectives of green nanotechnology. The

session will explore industrys role in preventing negative

environmental impacts from nanotechnologies, the
economics of being green, and whether green
nanotechnology offers companies a competitive
advantage. It also will look at market and regulatory
obstacles and incentives.
1.1 Green Nanotechnology
In the environmental technology industry alone,
nanomaterials will enable new means of reducing the
production of wastes, using resources more sparingly,
cleaning up industrial contamination, providing potable
water, and improving the efficiency of energy production
and use. Commercial applications of nanomaterials
currently or soon to be available include nano-engineered
titania particles for sunscreens and paints, carbon
nanotube composites in tires, silica nanoparticles as solid
lubricants, and protein-based nanomaterials in soaps,
shampoos, and detergents.
The production, use, and disposal of nanomaterials will
inevitably lead to their appearance in air, water, soils, or
organisms. Research is needed to ensure that
nanomaterials, and the industry that produces them,
evolve as environmental assets rather than liabilities.
The rapidly developing nanomaterials industry is the
nanotechnology that is most likely to affect our lives first. A
2003 estimate by the Nanobusiness Alliance identified
nanomaterials as the largest single category of nanotech
start-ups.
1.1.1 Green Engineering and Green Chemistry
Green engineering likewise seeks to avoid harming the
environment, but focuses more on the design of products
and processesfor instance, making them more energy
efficient and building them out of biodegradable materials.
The green approach relies on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a
way of examining all of the impacts that a particular
product has on the environment. This approach requires
that the engineer consider the products manufacture, its
use over many years and its ultimate resting place and
decomposition. An LCA looks at such things as the impacts
of mining or manufacture of the raw materials, factory
emissions released during production, the waste materials
disposed of, and the products fate at a landfill, a recycling
center or elsewhere. Another approach to LCA would be to
examine each step in the products life span for
opportunities to make better choices for the environment.
Green chemistry/engineering might seem like an odd mate
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for nanotechnology, but, in fact, both respect and seek to
emulate natural processes. The goal of green
chemistry/engineering is to make industries function more
like ecosystems or like cells, in which benign materials are
used wisely, wastes are recycled and energy is used
efficiently. As it turns out, biological systems accomplish
this feat by exploiting properties that occur in the nano
dimension. Indeed, the cell is the quintessential green
nano factory. It uses natural ingredients at room
temperature to assemble nanostructures, carries out its
chemical reactions in water rather than in harmful solvents,
employs smart controls with feedback loops, conserves
energy and reuses wastes. So, it should be no surprise that
many researchers view nanotechnology and green
chemistry/engineering as capable of working hand-in-hand
to produce environmentally sustainable products and
processes.
A marriage of nanotechnology with green chemistry/
engineering serves two important purposes. First,
emerging nanotechnologies could be made clean from the
start. While nanotechnology might never be as green as
Mother Nature, adopting a green nano approach to the
technologys development ultimately promises to shift
society into a new paradigm that is proactive, rather than
reactive, when it comes to environmental problems.
Second, green technologies that benefit the environment
could use nanotechnology to boost performance. In other
words, nanotechnology could help us make every atom
countfor example, by allowing us to create ultra-efficient
catalysts, detoxify wastes, assemble useful molecular
machines and efficiently convert sunlight into energy. It
could potentially contribute to long-term sustainability for
future generations, as more green products and green
manufacturing processes replace the old harmful and
wasteful ones.

are as inherently safe and benign as possible.

l

Minimize depletion of natural resources.

Develop and apply engineering solutions, while being

cognizant of local geography, aspirations and cultures.

Create engineering solutions beyond current or

dominant technologies; improve, innovate and invent
(technologies) to achieve sustainability.

Actively engage communities and stakeholders in

development of engineering solutions.

1.1.2 Green Chemistry

Green Chemistry reduce or eliminate hazardous substances
in the design, manufacture, and application of chemical
products which also holds promise for reducing toxic
health effects of nano-based entities. The use of ecofriendly and biodegradable materials in the production of
metal nanoparticles is important for pharmaceutical and
biomedical applications. Generating nanoparticles often
requires toxic and aggressive chemical reducing agents like
sodium borohydride and hydrazine, a capping agent to
stabilize the particles, and volatile organic solvents such as
toluene or chloroform. Although these methods may
successfully produce pure, well-defined metal
nanoparticles, the material, environmental and health cost
of production is high. We urgently need to develop more
cost-effective and benign alternatives.
Green chemistry is a terrific way to do nanotechnology
responsibly.
Principles of Green chemistry
l

Design safer chemicals and products: Design chemical

products to be fully effective, yet have little or no
toxicity.

Design less hazardous chemical syntheses: Design

syntheses to use and generate substances with little or
no toxicity to humans and the environment.

Avoid chemical derivatives: avoid using blocking or

protecting groups or any temporary modifications if
possible. Derivatives use additional reagents and
generate waste.

Principles of Green Engineering

The following green engineering principles were
developed:
l

Engineer processes and products holistically, use

systems analysis and integrate environmental impact
assessment tools.

Conserve and improve natural ecosystems while

protecting human health and well-being.

Increase energy efficiency: run chemical reactions at

ambient temperature and pressure whenever possible.

Use life cycle thinking in all engineering activities.

Design chemicals and products to degrade after use:

Design chemical products to break down to innocuous
substances after use so that they do not accumulate in
the environment.

Strive to prevent waste.

Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs

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1.2 Nano-Enhanced Energy Technologies

3. GREEN NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

Semiconducting nano crystals show promise in new kinds

of solar cells.To make rolls of flex ible, durable, inexpensive
solar cells using solution chemistry. These could be used
broadly throughout the landscape to generate electricity
from sunlight.

Space: Nanotechnology may hold the key to making spaceflight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials
make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space
elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of
rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost
of reaching orbit and traveling in space.

Nanotechnology can help overcome obstacles in

developing dye-sensitized solar cells. The goal is to print
flexible, highly efficient, organic solar cells that perform a
kind of artificial photosynthesis.
2. GREEN SYNTHESIS OF NANOMATERIAL
Green method for making water-soluble carbon
nanotubeswhich have promising applications in thin
films, electronics, composite materials and drug delivery.
The technique allows a variety of functional groups to be
added to the nanotubes to tailor them for different
applications. To spur the synthesis reactions, Mitras group
uses microwave energy.
The new technique generates products in minutes, rather
than days, and requires less energy and fewer chemicals.
Metallic nanorods and nanowires potentially important for
applications in optics and electronics can be synthesized
using green chemistry, how to produce gold and silver
nanorods, as well as silver nanowires, using reactions in
water, at room temperature and by employing cheap
surfactants to exert some control over size and shape.
Quantum dots semiconducting nanocrystalsmight soon
be made using green chemistry. Quantum dots hold
promise in medical imaging, solar cells and sensing and
electronic devices, but the most
useful kindssuch as cadmium selenide are highly toxic.
Pengs lab is investigating ways to synthesize quantum dots
using less toxic compounds, and he expressed hope that
zinc chalcogenide nanocrystals doped with transition metal
ions could effectively replace cadmium selenide nano
crystals.
A new method for synthesizing metallurgical
nanomaterials could save energy while giving scientists
greater control of nanostructure and morphology, as well
as greater access to metastable phases at low
temperatures. Intermetallic compounds and alloys are
useful in magnets, batteries, catalysts, computer memory,
thin films and robotics. Schaak described his labs
metallurgy in a beaker method, which involves mixing
nanoparticles in water at low temperature and in the
presence of a catalyst.

Medicines: Researchers are developing customized

nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver drugs
directly to diseased cells in your body. When it's perfected,
this method should greatly reduce the damage treatment
such as chemotherapy does to a patient's healthy cells.
Cleaner Water: Nanotechnology is being used to develop
solutions to three very different problems in water quality.
One challenge is the removal of industrial wastes, such as a
cleaning solvent called TCE, from groundwater.
Nanoparticles can be used to convert the contaminating
chemical through a chemical reaction to make it harmless.
Studies have shown that this method can be used
successfully to reach contaminates dispersed in
underground ponds and at much lower cost than methods
which require pumping the water out of the ground for
treatment.
Solar Cell :Companies have developed nanotech solar cells
that can be manufactured at significantly lower cost than
conventional solar cells.
Chemical Sensors: Nanotechnology can enable sensors to
detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various
types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes,
zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be
used in nanotechnology-based sensors. Because of the
small size of nanotubes, nanowires, or nanoparticles, a few
gas molecules are sufficient to change the electrical
properties of the sensing elements. This allows the
detection of a very low concentration of chemical vapors.
CONCLUSION
Challenging cooperative work.
Great variety of fields and industrial applications: textile,
polymers, printing inks, etc.
Improvement of life quality.
Highly competitive environmentally friendly European
industry.
Enhance and boost European institutions in nanoscience
and nanotechnology.

31

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REFRENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]

Schmidt, karen.(2007) Green nanotechnology: Its

Easier Than You Think Technical Report. Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies
Mark R. Wiesner is Director of the Environmental and
Energy System at Rice University http://www.projectsyndicate .org/commentary/wiesner1/English
Safer nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing
initiative, University of Oregon.

[4]

H. Fischer, Polymer nanocomposites: from

fundamental research to specific applications,
Mater. Sci. Eng. C, 23,76372, 2003.

[5]

G. Buxbaum and G. Pfaff, Industrial Inorganic

Pigments, Weinheim, Wiley-VCH, 2005.

[6]

K. Hunger, Industrial Dyes: Chemistry, Properties

and Applications, Weinheim, Wiley-VCH, 2003.

[7]

W. Herbst and K. Hunger, Industrial Organic

Pigments, 3rd ed., Weinheim, Wiley-VCH, 2004.

Role of Nanotechnology in Disease Cure: A Review

Smriti Jha1, Anupriya Sundaram2, Meha Sharma3 and Swati Jha4
1
and 2 M. Tech. I Semester, Department of Biotechnology
Amity University, Manesar, Gurgaon, India.
1
smritijha7@gmail.com
2
anu7keepintouch@gmail.com
Department of Electronics and Communication
Ansals Institute of Technology
Sector 55, Gurgaon, India.
3
meha.sharma@aitgurgaon.org
Department of Electronics and Communication
Dronacharya College of Engineering.
Gurgaon-123506, India.
4
swati.jha21@yahoo.co.in

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science involving the
creation and utilization of materials, devices or systems on
the nanometre scale. This term can be applied to many
areas of research and development, from medicines to
manufacturing to computing and even to textiles and
cosmetics. Nanotechnology plays a critical role in various
biomedical applications, not only in drug delivery, but also
in molecular imaging, biomarkers and biosensors. Targetspecific drug therapy and methods for early diagnosis of
pathologies are the priority research areas where
nanotechnology would play a vital role. Nanotechnology
has attracted over $3 billion in funds from governments
globally, which is being applied to a broad range of
disciplines including pharmaceuticals, drug delivery,
aerospace/defence and food. As science and technology
do not contribute only to economic growth; this provide
us means to improve the quality of human life and one of
the key area is to provide medical care for a growing world
with modern day diseases such as Cancer, HIV, Alzheimer
32

s, Parkinsons etc. Application of this new technology will

let us build lots of computer controlled molecular tools
much smaller than a human cell and build with accuracy
and precision. Such tools let medicine, for the first time,
intervene in a sophisticated and controlled way at the
cellular and molecular level. In other words nano-medicine
is actually a way of monitoring, repairing, constructing,
and controlling of human biological system at the
molecular level using engineered nano devices and nano
structures that could remove obstruction in the circulatory
system, kill cancer cells, or take over the function of sub
cellular organelles. Nanotechnology has already started
revolutionizing important areas in molecular biology and
medicines, especially diagnostics and therapy at the
molecular and cellular levels. This paper presents a review
on applications of nanotechnology in curing diseases for
the betterment of mankind.
Keywords :Nanotechnology, Nano-medicine, Biosystem,
immuno-cyto-chemical probe, Nanoparticles, Nano-shells.

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I. INTRODUCTION
Mankind is still fighting against a high number of serious
and complex illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer s, Parkinson s disease and
diabetes as well as different kinds of serious inflammatory
or infectious diseases (e.g. HIV). Most of theses diseases
have a tremendous negative impact not only on the
patient himself but also on the whole society and linked
social and insurance systems. It is of utmost importance to
face these plagues with appropriate means.
Nanotechnology is the coming revolution in molecular
manufacturing, the idea of which was first floated by the
nobel winning physicist Richard Feynman in 1959. He along
with his associate suggested that it could be helpful in
surgery if one could swallow the surgeon and this
mechanical surgeon invades the blood vessels into the
heart and after finding which valve is faulty it takes out a
little knife and slices it out and repairs [1]. The combination
of nanotechnology, biology, advanced materials and
photomics have opened up the possibilities of detecting
and manipulating atoms and molecules using nano devices.
Such tools will let medicine intervene in a sophisticated
and controlled way at cellular and molecular level. They
would remove obstructions in the circulatory system, kill
cancer cells and take over the function of sub-cellular
organelles. Just as today we have artificial heart, so in the
future we could have the artificial mitochondrion [2].
Nano-medicine, the application of nano-technology to
health, raises high expectations for millions of patients for
better, more efficient and affordable healthcare and has
the potential of delivering promising solutions to many
illnesses [3]. Nanotechnology offers new solutions for the
transformation of biosystem and provides a broad
technological platform for application in several areas (e.g.
for detection and treatment of illnesses, body part
replacement and regenerative medicine, nano-scale
surgery, synthesis and targeted delivery of drugs) [4].
Three critical areas of healthcare discussed in detail in this
literature are taking services of nano-science and
technology. The first is early diagnosis of diseases which
could greatly enhance the success rate of existing
treatment strategies and significantly advance our ability
to employ prevention strategies. The second is delivery of
drugs, gene therapies and other therapeutics. The third
one is improved implants developed by using
biocompatible materials. The first nano-technology-based

targeted drug delivery systems are already in the market,

others are in clinical trials or, by far the largest part, are
under development [5]. New concepts for Regenerative
medicine give hope to many patients with organ failure or
severe injuries. Today artificial skin, bone and cartilage are
already in an advanced stage of development and partly in
the market.
II. DIAGNOSIS
New diagnostic tests making use of nano-technology to
quantify disease-related biomarkers could offer an earlier
and more personalized risk assessment before symptoms
show up. In general, these analyses must be cost effective,
sensitive, and reliable. The test itself should inflict only
minimal discomfort on the patient. Supported by such an
analysis and bioinformatics, health professionals could
advise patients with an increased risk to take up a
personalized prevention program. People with an
increased risk for a certain disease could benefit from
regular personalized check-ups to monitor changes in the
pattern of their biomarkers. Nanotechnology could
improve in vitro diagnostic tests by providing more
sensitive detection technologies or by providing better
nano labels that can be detected with high sensitivity once
they bind to disease-specific molecules present in the
sample [6]. Nanotechnology could also improve the easeof-use of in vitro diagnostic tests done by untrained users
or even by patients at home. Diseases with no secretion of
biomarkers into blood or urine will require imaging
procedures of high specificity for their early
detection.Within MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical
Systems), laboratory-on-a-chip technology for quicker
diagnosis which requires less of the sample is being
developed in conjunction with micro fluidics. In the
medium term, it could be expected that general personal
health monitors may be available. Developments in both
genomics and nanotechnology are likely to enable sensors
that can determine genetic make-up quickly and precisely,
enhancing knowledge of people s predisposition to
genetic-related diseases [7]. A noteworthy example is
Quantum dots or Fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles that have been developed for use in imaging and
have been employed as markers for biological processes.
Semiconductor nano-crystals are highly light absorbing,
luminescent nano-particles whose absorbance onset and
emission maximum shift to higher energy with decreasing
33

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particle size, due to quantum confinement effects. These
nano-crystals are in the size range of 2 8 nm in diameter
[8]. Recent studies of quantum dots have resulted in
developing new fluorescence immuno-cyto-chemical
probes. A probe is a substance that is radioactively labeled
or otherwise marked and used to detect or identify
another substance in a sample. A fluorescence immunocyto-chemical probe is usually used to detect antigens in
tissues. In contrast to organic fluorophores, which are not
photostable, quantum dots have properties of high
brightness, photostability, and narrow emission spectra,
thus they can replace the usage of organic fluorophores.
The current mode of detecting the antigens which takes
from two to six days can speed up to a matter of hours
using quantum dots [9]. Key challenges for the further
development of quantum dots relate to their
encapsulation with a biocompatible layer and the need to
avoid nonspecific adsorption.
Another example is the use of Nanoparticles of gold.
Nanosphere, is getting close to commercializing a number
of very sensitive genetic tests that could give very early
warning of a patient's potential for developing Alzheimer's
or Parkinson's diseases. The tests would use nanoparticles
of gold to detect this tiniest of traces of the proteins
associated with these devastating illnesses.
Then there are Carbon nanotubes which can be used to
gauge levels of carbon dioxide in a patient's breath, a
measure of lung function [5]. A portable device for tracking
a patient's oxygen level could be invaluable in emergency
transport to a hospital and help prevent brain damage. A
similar device based on nanotube detectors could help
people with asthma by continually monitoring their levels
of nitrous oxide, an indicator of lung function. Better,
round-the-clock monitoring could help patient improve
their conditions by sticking to their medication regime, and
prevent hospitalizations.
III. THERAPY
In many cases, therapy will not be restricted to medication
only but requires more severe therapeutic action such as
surgery or radiation treatment. Planning of therapeutic
interventions will be based on imaging, or may be
performed under image guidance. Here, nano-technology
will lead to a miniaturization of devices that enable
minimally invasive procedures and new ways of treatment.
The possibilities range from minimally invasive
catheterbased interventions to implantable devices.
34

Targeted delivery systems and nano-technology-assisted

regenerative medicine will play the central role in future
therapy. Targeted delivery agents will allow a localized
therapy which targets only the diseased cells, thereby
increasing efficacy while reducing unwanted side effects.
Thanks to nano-technology, pluripotent stem cells and
bioactive signaling factors will be essential components of
smart, multi-functional implants which can react to the
surrounding micro-environment and facilitate site-specific,
endogenous tissue regeneration (making lifelong immunesuppressing medication obsolete) [10].
Gold Nano-shells application to Therapy using NanoTechnology: One of the most highly publicized areas of
nano-medicine research involves gold nano-shells to
detect and treat cancerous tumors. Here is a case where
detection and therapy overlap: The nano-shells are
imaging agents that also function as therapeutic agents.
Though the idea of nano-shells goes back to the early
1950s, their creation was put off for several decades until it
was possible to engineer particles on the nano-scale.
Naomi Halas [11] of Rice University developed gold
nanoshells in the 1990s. Halas s nano-shells are particles of
silica (glass) completely coated with gold, made up of a few
million atoms. They can be produced in a range of sizes,
with diameters smaller than 100 nm to as large as several
hundred nm. When injected into the blood stream, they
naturally congregate at tumor sites so no additional
targeting is necessary. In order to feed their growth,
tumors create many, many blood vessels very quickly, so
the vessels are often defective, allowing the nanoshells to
slip through vascular leaks and gain access to the tumor.
Detecting and targeting tumors by exploiting their
surrounding vascular defects is known as enhanced
permeability and retention, or EPR, effect. Halas describes
a nanoshell as essentially a nanolens that captures light
and then focuses it around itself [12]. By manipulating the
size of the nanoshells both the size of the glass core and
its gold coating it s possible to change the way they
absorb light. The goal in cancer detection and therapy is to
tune the nanoshells to interact with near-infrared light
(NIR) [13]. When exposed to NIR, the nanoshells act like a
swarm of fireflies and light up the area where they ve
congregated (i.e., tumor sites). Once the nanoshells have
completed their imaging tasks, they become therapeutic
agents. Shining a near-infrared laser on the tumor site from
outside the body (light can travel through tissue more than
10 cm), the nanoshells absorb the light and focus it on the
tumor. The area around the nanoshells heats up and the
tumor cooks until it is ablated (dissipated). It s not so

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different from the familiar childhood science experiment:
The nanoshell functions as the magnifying glass, the laser is
the sun and the tumor heats up like the blade of grass.
IV. IMPLANTS AND PROSTHETICS
With the advent of new materials, and the synergy of
nanotechnologies and biotechnologies, it could be
possible to create artificial organs and implants that are
more akin to the original, through cell growth on artificial
scaffolds or biosynthetic coatings that increase
biocompatibility and reduce immune rejection. These
could include retinal, cochlear and neural implants, repair
of damaged nerve cells, and replacements of damaged
skin, tissue or bone [14].
Artificial biomaterial scaffolds designed to support cell and
tissue growth have traditionally aimed, at a macroscopic
level, to match the properties of the organs they are to be
replaced without recreating the intricate and essential
nano-scale detail observed in real organs. In the body, the
nano-scale structure of the extra-cellular matrix provides a
natural web of intricate nano-fibers to support cells and
present an instructive background to guide their behavior.
Unwinding the fibers of the extra-cellular matrix reveals a
level of details unmatched outside the biological world.
Each hides clues that pave the way for cells to form tissue as
complex as bone, liver, heart, and kidney. The ability to
engineer materials to a similar level of complexity is fast
becoming a reality. Engineering extra-cellular matrix
ligands, such as the RGD-sequence, into artificial surfaces
enhances functionality in terms of cell behavior. Thus,
intricate nano-scale engineering will enable the creation of
more biomimetic cellular environments. Nano-scale
alterations in topography elicit diverse cell behaviour,
ranging from changes in cell adhesion, cell orientation, cell
motility , surface antigen display , cytoskeletal
condensation, activation of tyrosine kinases, and
modulation of intracellular signalling pathways that
regulate transcriptional activity and gene expression. For
example, new generations of synthetic polymers are being
developed which can change their molecular conformation
in response to changes in temperature, pH, electrical,
physical stimuli or energetic status. Access to nanotechnology has offered a completely new perspective to
the material scientist to mimic the different types of extracellular matrices present in tissues. Techniques are now
available which can produce macromolecular structures of
nano-meter size, with finely controlled composition and
architecture. In addition, it is also possible to build mimics
of cell membranes, which can imitate certain features of

cell surfaces. The biological fine-tuning of these scaffolds

toward particular cell types is of growing interest. Once
challenges in materials design and solvent compatibility
have been overcome, bioactive composite and core-shell
fibers may be engineered to deliver growth factors,
peptides, enzymes, drugs, and even DNA so as to facilitate
gene therapy . Nano - technology also allows for
improvement of nonresorbable biomaterials and effective
manipulation of biological interactions at the nano-meter
level, which will dramatically increase the functionality and
longevity of implanted materials. By applying bioactive
nano-particle coatings on the surface of implants, it will be
possible to bond the implant more naturally to the
adjoining tissue and significantly prolong the implant
lifetime. Similarly, it may be possible to surround implanted
tissue with a nano-fabricated barrier that would prevent
activation of the rejection mechanisms of the host,
allowing a wider utilization of donated organs. In
conclusion, nano-technology can assist in the development
of biomimetic, intelligent biomaterials, which are designed
to positively react to changes in their immediate
environment and stimulate specific regenerative events at
the molecular level. Advances in the areas of fundamental
matrix biology, nano-fabrication, synthetic molecular selfassembly, recombinant DNA technologies, and printing
technologies will enable the generation of materials that
can provide enhanced 3D tissue context maps of molecular
and structural information [15].
V. FUTURE EXPECTATONS
With more and more advancement in science the horizon
of nanotechnology is also expanding. The greatest power
of nanomedicine will emerge, perhaps in the 2020s, when
we can design and construct complete artificial
nanorobots using rigid diamondoid nanometer-scale parts
like molecular gears and bearings [16]. These nanorobots
will possess full panoply of autonomous subsystems
including onboard sensors, motors, manipulators, power
supplies, and molecular computers.
A nanomedicine approach of improving the levels of
available oxygen despite reduced blood flow would be to
provide an artificial red blood cell or respirocyte made of
18 billion precisely arranged structural atoms. The
respirocyte is a bloodborne spherical 1-m diamondoid 1000atmosphere pressure vessel with reversible moleculeselective surface pumps powered by endogenous serum
glucose. This nanorobot would deliver 236 times more
oxygen to body tissues per unit volume than natural red cells
and would manage carbonic acidity, controlled by gas
35

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concentration sensors and an onboard nanocomputer. A 5cc therapeutic dose of 50% respirocyte saline suspension
containing 5 trillion nanorobots could exactly replace the gas
carrying capacity of the patient s entire 5.4 l of blood [17].
With nanomolecular tools, we could design a small device
able to identify and kill cancer cells. The device would have a
small computer, several binding sites to determine the
concentration of specific molecules, and a supply of some
poison which could be selectively released and able to kill a
cell identified as cancerous [18].The device would circulate
freely throughout the body, and would periodically sample
its environment by determining whether the binding sites
were or were not occupied. Occupancy statistics would
allow determination of concentration. Today's monoclonal
antibodies mediated treatments are able to bind to only a
single type of protein or other antigen, and have not proven
effective against most cancers. The cancer killing device
suggested here could incorporate a dozen different
binding sites and so could monitor the concentrations of a
dozen different types of molecules. The computer could
determine if the profile of concentrations fit a preprogrammed "cancerous" profile and would, when a
cancerous profile was encountered, release the poison.
VI. CONCLUSION
Nanotechnology has already started revolutionizing
important areas in molecular biology and medicine,
especially diagnostics and therapy at the molecular and
cellular levels. Once these technologies are available, the
ultimate dream of every healer, medicine man, and
physician throughout recorded history will at last, become
a reality. Programmable and controllable microscale robots
comprised of nanoscale parts fabricated to nanometer
precision will allow medical practioners to execute curative
and reconstructive procedures in the human body at the
cellular and molecular levels. Refinement in biochip
miniaturization along with the advent of nanotechnology
will further advance the molecular diagnosis and
personalized medicine. The promising possibilities that
nano-medicine might offer in the future have to be
counterweighted against possible risks of this new
technology. It is of utmost importance to examine upfront
with care and responsibility, its possible side effects to
human beings and the environment. Several European
projects are already dealing with this highly important
issue. Also ethical concerns have to be taken into account.
It may also be necessary to examine existing legislation for
its applicability to nano-medicine.

36

REFERENCES
[1] Feynman, R. P. Theres plenty of room at the bottom,
Eng sci Feb. 1960 23:22-36.
[2] Ganguly N.K. The Magic of Nanotechnology for Medical
Sciences, University news, 2005, 43(17) 19-23.
[3] Freitas, Jr. R.A. Nanomedicine, Vol II A : Biocompatibility,
Landes Biosciences, Georgetown, 2003.
[4] Roco, M.C. Nanotechnology: Convergence with modern
biology and medicine, 2003.
[5] Mason,J. Nanotech notebook: healthy and green,
April 2007.
[6] Shackman, J.G., Dahlgran, G.M., Peters, J.L., Kennedy,
R.T. Perfusion and chemical monitoring of living cells on
a microfluidic chip, Lab on a chip 2005, 5:56-63.
[7] Silva, G.A. Introduction to nanotechnology and its
application to medicine, 2004,218.
[8] West, J.L., Halas,N.J., Application of nanotechnology to
biotechnology, 2000.
[9] Kang, C.H., Brooks,B., Tan, H.B. Quantum dots:in a new
light, July 2005.
[10] Frietas Jr. R.A., Nanomedicine, Vol 1: Basic capabilities,
Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, 1999.
[11] Loo,C.,Lowery,A., Halas N.J., West,J., Drezek.R.
Immunotargeted nanoshells for integrated cancer
imaging and therapy, Nano letters. 2005, 5:709-711.
[12] Loo,C., Hirsch.L.R., Lee,M.,Chang,E., West,J., Drezek.R.,
Halas N.J. Gold nanoshells biconjugates for molecular
imaging in living cells, Optics Letters, 2005, 30 :1012-1024.
[13] ONeal D.P., Hirsch L.R., Halas N.J., Payne J.D., West J.L.,
Photothermal timer ablation in mice using near infraredabsorbing nanoparticles. Cancer Lett. 2005; 15:1107-9.
[14] Wood, S.,Jones,R., Gledart.A., Commercial application
of nanotechnology in medicine and health.ESRC the
social and economic challenges of nanotechnology
report, July 2003.
[15] Renzo, T.,Uta faure, P.Oliver, Nanomedicine:
nanotechnology for health,2006.
[16] Drexler, K.E., Newsystems, molecular machinery,
manufacturing and computation, Newyork, John
Wiley, 1992.
[17] Freitas, Jr. R.A. Exploratory design in medical
nanotechnology: a mechanical artificial red cell. Artif
Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnology,1998.
[18] Ishiyama, K., Sendoh, M., Arai, K.I. Magnetic
micromachines for medical applications. J Magn Magn
Mater 2002 (242-245)1163-5.

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Nanotechnology: A Boon For Cancer Treatment
Swati Jha1, Ritu Sharma2, Nidhi Sharma3, and Meenakshi Gautam4,
1
Department of Electronics and Communication
Dronacharya College of Engineering.
Gurgaon-123506, India.
1
swati.jha21@yahoo.co.in
2
M.Tech., First Year, Department Electronics and Communication Engineering
J.C.D.V., Sirsa, Haryana, India.
2
ritu.aasri@gmail.com
3
M.Tech., First Year, Department Electronics and Communication Engineering
YMCA University, Faridabad, India.
3
nidhi1318@gmail.com
4
Department of Computer Science
DAV College, Karnal, Haryana, India
4
m_gautam199@gmail.com

Abstract:
Abstract--Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science
involving the creation and utilization of materials, devices
or systems on the nanometre scale. This term can be
applied to many areas of research and development, from
medicines to manufacturing to computing and even to
textiles and cosmetics. A number of commentators during
the past few years have speculated that nanotechnology is
the wave of the future in biotech and pharma.
Nanotechnology plays a critical role in various biomedical
applications, not only in drug delivery, but also in molecular
imaging, biomarkers and biosensors. Target-specific drug
therapy and methods for early diagnosis of pathologies are
the priority research areas where nanotechnology would
play a vital role. The focus of this paper is cancer, which is
one of the most widely researched diseases in todays
medical and scientific community. The purpose of this
paper is to discuss some of the more recent and innovative
solutions that have been made possible by the advent of
nanotechnology.
Keywords: Cancer, Neoplasm, metastasis, cytotoxicity,
immunoconjugates, Dendrimers
I. INTRODUCTION
According to the US National Cancer Institute (OTIR, 2006)
Nanotechnology will change the very foundations of
cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention[1]. Even the
most seemingly impossible problems like HIV and cancer
become only obstacles in the path to solutions, if we take
an imaginative approach. Of course, this is quite logical,
since everything around us is made up of atomic and
molecular matter, and all of our problems are ultimately
rooted in atomic and molecular arrangement.
Cancer is a complex disease occurring as a result of a
progressive accumulation of genetic and epigenetic

changes that enable escape from normal cellular and

environmental control. Cancer is a generic term for a group
of more than 100 diseases that can affect any part of the
body. Other terms used are malignant tumors and
neoplasm. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid
creation of abnormal cells which grow beyond their usual
boundaries, and which can invade adjoining parts of the
body and spreads to other organs, a process referred to as
metastasis, which is the major cause of death from cancer.
Nanomaterials, which measure 11000 nm, allow unique
interaction with biological systems at the molecular level
[2]. They can also facilitate important advances in
detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers and
have led to a new discipline of nano-oncology. Traditionally,
the most common cancer treatments were limited to
chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Limitations in
cancer treatment are a result of current challenges seen in
established cancer therapies, including lack of early disease
detection, nonspecific systemic distribution, inadequate
drug concentrations reaching the tumor, and inability to
monitor therapeutic responses. Poor drug delivery and
residence at the target site leads to significant
complications, such as multi-drug resistance.
Nanotechnology has achieved the status as one of the
critical research endeavors of the early 21st century, as
scientists harness the unique properties of atomic and
molecular assemblages built at the nanometer scale. Ability
to manipulate the physical, chemical, and biological
properties of these particles affords researchers the
capability to rationally design and use nanoparticles for
drug delivery, as image contrast agents, and for diagnostic
purposes. New technologies using metal and
semiconductor nanoparticles are also under intense
development for molecular profiling studies and
multiplexed biological assays. Recently functional
37

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nanoparticles have developed that are covalently linked to
biological molecules radiation, and surgery. Limitations in
cancer treatment are a result of current challenges seen in
established cancer therapies, including lack of early disease
detection, nonspecific systemic distribution, inadequate
drug concentrations reaching the tumor, and inability to
monitor therapeutic responses [3].
II. THE CANCER DISEASE
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. From a total
of 58 million deaths worldwide in 2005, cancer accounts for
7.6 million (or 13%) of all deaths [4]. More than 70% of all
cancer deaths in 2005 occurred in low and middle-income
countries. Deaths from cancer in the world are projected to
continue rising, with an estimated 9 million people dying
from cancer in 2015 and 11.4 million dying in 2030 [5].The
most frequent cancer types worldwide are (a) among men:
lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, oesophagus and prostate;
and (b) among women: breast, lung stomach, colorectal
and cervical.
Nanotechnology problem can be perceived differently at
various stages of the disease. Most apparently, if genetic
mutations are the underlying cause, then we must
counteract the causes of the mutations. Unfortunately,
genetic mutations are caused by artificial or natural
carcinogens only some of the time. At other times, they
may occur spontaneously during DNA replication and cell
division. With present science and technology there is very
little we can do to prevent this from happening. However,
in all other cases, eliminating the carcinogens is indeed a
highly effective way of cancer prevention. But most
patients do not recognize the problem until it has actually
occurred, which makes preventive medicine, utilized rarely,
although, a highly effective form of cancer prevention. Of
course, there is a way to eliminate cancer through
nanotechnology. Unfortunately, there is little current
research on preventive treatments using nanotechnology.
After a careful review of the most advanced disease-time
nanoscale treatment methods, one can easily see why the
proposed nanotechnology alternatives to current
preventive treatments have so strongly attracted the
attention of the scientific and medical communities in
recent years. In fact, nanotechnology-based treatments
are no more challenging to devise than the currently used
disease-time treatment methods. Nonetheless, it requires
time and monetary investments to develop such treatment
methods in short time. To demonstrate the viability of the
nanotechnology-based treatments, let us consider
melanoma for example. Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is
38

caused primarily by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The

current method of preventive treatment against
bombardment with this kind of harmful radiation involves
suspending a substance that either absorbs or scatters
ultraviolet radiation in a thick emulsion. We use this
emulsion, called sunscreen, to coat our skin prior to
prolonged exposure to sunlight. Some of the problems
with this method are that this emulsion can be easily
rubbed off and can loose its effectiveness over time, thus
needing to be reapplied periodically. An even bigger
problem is that we leave openings in the sunscreen coating
during sunscreen application due to macro-scale and microscale imperfections in our skin. This allows the Ultra Violet
(UV) radiation to permeate through the dead layer of skin,
spreading out to a wider area due to slit diffraction and
causing more widespread damage. All of these problems
take away from the overall effectiveness of this preventive
methodology approach.
III. CANCER THERPY USNG NANOMATERIALS
A. Quantum Dots
Quantum dots are novel semiconductor nanocrystals with
broad potential for use in various applications in the
research, management, and treatment of cancer, Quantum
dots owe their fluorescence emission to electron
excitation. To overcome the limitations of imaging in the
visible spectra, such as auto fluorescence from tissues like
intestine and suboptimal tissue penetrance, some
investigators have constructed quantum dots that
fluoresce in the near infrared (NIR) spectra (7001000
nm).This property potentially makes NIR quantum dots
attractive for in vivo imaging. NIR quantum dots have been
used for in vivo lymphatic mapping in several animal
models. Because of their composition of heavy metals and
previous reports of cytotoxicity, the potential use of
quantum dots in humans may be limited. Uncoated or
nonpolymer-protected quantum dots are unstable when
exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and have been shown
to release toxic cadmium. Modification of quantum dots
(i.e., PEGylation and micelle encapsulation) may limit the
release of toxic metals in response to UV radiation [6].
B.Gold Nanoparticles
Colloidal gold nanoparticles are attractive because gold has
been approved and used for treatment of human disease.
Gold nanoparticles have been used as contrast agents in
vitro based on their ability to scatter visible light. Sokolov
etal. successfully used gold nanoparticles conjugated to
EGFR antibodies to label cervical biopsies for identification
of precancerous lesions [7]. Photoacoustic tomography

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has been used to image gold nanoparticles to a depth of 6
cm in experiments using gelatin phantoms.
C. Alkylating Agents
Alkylating agents are able to target tumor cells in various
and multiple phases of the cell cycle and are better suited
for the treatment of slow growing cancers. Alkylating
agents stunt tumor growth by cross-linking guanine
nucleobases resulting in abnormal base pairing or DNA
strand breaks. Tumor DNA is unable to uncoil and separate
which prevents the cell from dividing. Cisplatin is one of the
most widely used antineoplastic alkylating agent for the
treatment of certain cancers such as testicular and ovarian
carcinomas, and carcinomas of the head and neck. The
aqua cisplatin-DPPG micelles were converted into
liposomes 100-160 nm in diameter by mixing with vesicle
forming lipids followed by dialysis and extrusion through
membranes, entrapping and encapsulating cisplatin with a
very high yield.
D. Lipid/Polymer
Positively charged lipid-based nanoparticles are known to
trigger strong immune responses when injected into the
body. This can be problematic when attempting to use this
type of nanoparticle as a drug delivery vehicle. Lipid-based
cationic nanoparticles are a new promising option for
tumor therapy, because they display enhanced binding and
uptake at the neo-angiogenic endothelial cells, which a
tumor needs for its nutrition and growth. By loading
suitable cytotoxic compounds to the cationic carrier, the
tumor endothelial and consequently the tumor itself can be
destroyed [8]. For the development of such novel antitumor agents, the control of drug loading and drug release
from the carrier matrix is essential. Screening of different
matrices for a given drug may be useful for fast and efficient
optimization of drug/lipid combinations in pharmaceutical
development.
E. Dendrimers
Dendrimers are synthetic, nanometer-sized
macromolecules that can be modified to suit a specific
application. Several types of dendrimers are commercially
available, among which Polyamidoamine (PAMAM)
dendrimers are the most extensively studied for biological
application. They have a unique architecture based on alanine subunits with primary amine groups on the surface
that are available for the attachment of several types of
biological material. Their aqueous solubility and
biocompatibility are well suited to carry ligands,
fluorochromes, and drugs for targeting, imaging, and drug
delivery [9]. Some of the issues associated with
immunoconjugates, such as decreased solubility and

reduced binding efficiency, can be addressed using

dendrimers as carrier molecules attached to antibodies.
Several groups have studied the conjugation of dendrimers
to antibodies for targeting application. Antibodydendrimer conjugates have been used for radiolabeling
with minimal loss of immunoreactivity.
IV. PRINCIPLE OF CANCER TREATMENT
Aside from destroying cells directly, one can take a more
elegant approach to tumour elimination. Mass and energy
balance are well understood and are widely used in all types
of science and engineering. Furthermore, these concepts
are quite general, and can be applied to other fields as well,
such as medicine. The general principles of mass balance,
energy conservation and entropy production are applicable
to bio systems as well as industrial processes. Thus, one
may define the malignant tumour as a bio system and
proceed to investigate the mass, energy and entropy
inputs, outputs and accumulations. Since the ultimate goal
is to destroy the tumour, it can be achieved by limiting or
eliminating the inputs of the needed nutrients and the
useful energy that are vital to its growth and survival.
Likewise, the outputs can be also limited, which are
necessary for the tumour cells to get rid of toxic waste
products that are left over from the multitude of
biochemical reactions continuously taking place.
Furthermore, basic anatomy and biology tells that cells
within the human body get a vast majority of their nutrients
and energy from the bloodstream, and likewise use the
bloodstream to eliminate the toxins [10]. Cells that are cut
off from circulation quickly undergo necrosis and are
effectively eliminated. Therefore, the goal is to separate
the tumour from the circulation in order to kill it. Numerous
studies have explored the possibility of isolating cancer
tumours from the blood stream. The underlying principle of
the study is that the cells within the growing tumour
produce and send out basic Fibroblast Growth Factor
(bFGF) accompanied by Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF), the combination of which stimulates the
development of new capillaries that grow into the tumour.
V. DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER
Another important issue to be addressed is cancer
diagnosis through nanotechnology. In order to provide
early and thus more effective cancer treatment, early
detection of the disease is crucial. Two approaches to
cancer detection may be envisioned and they include:
a)
In vitro (laboratory-based) diagnostics.

39

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b)
In vivo diagnostics.
Although in vivo detection is still a challenge, in vitro
detection studies have recently produced some impressive
breakthroughs.
Laboratory-based (in vitro) nanotechnology methods are
based on the concept of computer chips. For example, with
the use of some recent discoveries in nanoarrays, we can
now detect multiple biomolecular markers at very low
concentrations in various biological fluids. There are
currently two equally effective nanoarray methods. The
first method involves nanowires connected to a highsensitivity electronic ammeter. Each nanowire is designed
to be a good binding site for a specific biomolecule. The
biofluid under study is passed through a channel where it is
allowed to come into direct contact with the wire array. The
conductance of the wires changes as the molecules bind,
and detection is made possible by measuring the
conductance in real time. The second method involves a
nanoarray of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) cantilevers
which are equipped with antibodies specific to selected
molecules. The array is submerged in a biofluid where the
molecules that are present are allowed to bind to the
antibodies. As they bind, they are measured by a
combination of a highly focused laser beam and sensitive
photodetectors, with a technique similar to that used in
AFM. Both methods can yield data that are highly accurate,
even with concentrations in the range of parts per million.
In vivo diagnostic techniques are currently under
development. One method is to use nanoarrays similar to
those described above. However, due to conditions that
are much more adverse in a living patient, significantly
higher concentrations of the desired molecules are
necessary for accurate detection. Another method is to
implant biosensors directly into the patient and to have
them relay, gathered information to an external data
collector [11]. The major problem with these methods that
still remains unresolved is biofouling, or the nonspecific
adoption of serum proteins to the sensors. Since serum
proteins are present in healthy as well as malignant
environments, the accuracy of the measurements can be
greatly impaired. This problem has been in the way of
effective in vivo detection for quite some time.
VI. CONCLUSION
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer have always
been a formidable medical challenge. In fact, cancer has
long been considered an incurable disease and it is grouped
with Hepatitis C and AIDS. Throughout the bulk of human
history, cancer tended to be fatal in those who were
40

unfortunate to develop it. Cancer will continue to be a big

problem since it is a disease related mostly to age. As our
population average age increases due to medical advances,
cancer will be a major disease of the aging. Nanotechnology
is definitely a medical boon for diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of cancer disease. It will radically change the
way we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer to help meet
the goal of eliminating suffering and death from cancer.
The integration of nanotechnology into cancer diagnostics
and therapeutics is a rapidly advancing field, and there is a
need for wide understanding of these emerging concepts.
The development of new nanoscale platforms offers great
potential for improvements in the care of cancer patients in
the near future.
REFERENCES
[1] Andrievsky, G.V. and Burenin, I.S. (2001) On medicinal
and preventive efficacy of small doses of hydrated C60
fullerenes at cancer pathologies, Chemistry Preprint
Archive, 2002, No. 6, June, pp.5065.
[2] Basu, S.C. and Basu, M. (Eds.) (2002) Liposome
methods and protocols, Methods in Molecular
Biology, Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, May.
[3] Denmeade, S.R. and Isaacs, J.T. (2002) A history of
prostate cancer treatment, Nature Rev. Cancer, Vol. 2,
pp.389396.
[4] Gao, X., Cui, Y., Levenson, R.M., Chung, L.W.K. and Nie,
S. (2004) In vivo cancer targeting and imaging with
semiconductor quantum dots, Nature Biotechnology,
Vol. 22, pp.969976.
[5] Gao, X., Yang, L., Petros, J.A., Marshall, F.E., Simons,
J.W. and Nie, S. (2001) In vivo molecular and cellular
imaging with quantum dots, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol.,
Vol. 16, No. 1, February, pp.6372.
[6] C. B. Murray, C. R. Kagan, M. G. Bawendi, Annu Rev
Mater Sci 30, 545-610 (2000).
[7] Jain K. ,Nanotechnology in clinical laboratory
diagnostics: Clin Chim Act 358,3754 (2005).
[8] Ferrari M., Cancer nanotechnology: opportunities and
challenges: Nat Rev Cancer, 5, 161 71 (2005)
[9] B. Ehdaie, Int. J. Biol. Sci., 3, 108-110 (2007).
[10] James R Baker , Jr., Antonia Quintana, Lars Pehlerel,
Mark Banazak- Holl al, Donold Tomalia, Ewa Raczka. The
synthesis and testing of anti- acancer therapeutic
nanodevices: Biomedical microdevices, 3:1, 61-69 (2001).
[11] Scott E. Mc Neil , Nanotechnology for Biologist:
Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 78, 585- 591 (2005).

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Assessing the Potential Impact of

Nonmaterials and Risk Involved
Ashu Soni and Mrs.Bhawana Verma
ECE Dept.
Dronacharya College of Engineering ,Gurgaon
soniashu.14@gmail.com
bhverma@yahoo.co.in

Abstract:
Nanoscience and its emerging technologies are expected
to bring a fundamental change in manufacturing in the next
few years and will have an enormous impact on Life
Sciences, including drug delivery , diagnostics and
production of biomaterials. Nanotechnology presents
opportunities to create new and better products. It also has
the potential to improve assessment, management, and
prevention of environmental risks. By considering risk in
the early stages of a technology,costs of identifying
important health and environmental impacts after a
technology has widely diffused can be avoided. The key
factors for discussion herein include the importance of
particle characterization studies; development of a
nanomaterial risk framework; as well as corresponding
hypothesis-driven, mechanistically-oriented
investigations,concomitant with base set hazard studies
which clearly demonstrate that particle size is only a single
(and perhaps minor) factor in influencing the safety of
nanomaterials.
This paper examining potential environmental applications
and implications of nanotechnology. It also describes the
issues to ensure that society benefits from advances in
environmental protection that nanotechnology may offer,
and to understand and address any potential risks from
environmental exposure to nanomaterials. The research
has already borne fruit, particularly in the use of
nanomaterials for environmental clean-up and in beginning
to understand the disposition of nanomaterials in biological
systems. Some environmental applications using
nanotechnology have progressed beyond the research
stage. Nanotechnology also has the potential to improve
the environment, both through direct applications of
nanomaterials to detect, prevent, and remove pollutants,
as well as indirectly by using nanotechnology to design
cleaner industrial processes and create environmentally
responsible products.. As products made from
nanomaterials become more numerous and therefore
more prevalent in the environment.

Introduction
An exciting revolution in health care and medical
technology looms large on the horizon. The agents of
change will be microscopically small,future products of a
new discipline known as nanotechnology. Nanotechnology
is the engineering of molecularly precise structures
typically 0.1mm or smaller and, ultimately, molecular
machines.Nanomedicine is the application of
nanotechnology to medicine. It is the preservation and
improvement of human health, using molecular tools and
molecular knowledge of the human body. These
nanoparticles may serve as diagnostic and therapeutic
antiviral,antitumor or anticancer agents. But as this
technology matures in the years ahead, complex
nanodevices and even nanorobots will be fabricated,first of
biological materials but later using more durable materials
such as diamond to achieve the most powerful results.
The presence of nanomaterials (materials that contain
nanoparticles) is not in itself a threat. It is only certain
aspects that can make them risky, in particular their
mobility and their increased reactivity. Only if certain
properties of certain nanoparticles were harmful to living
beings or the environment would we be faced with a
genuine hazard. In this case it can be called nanopollution In
addressing the health and environmental impact of
nanomaterials we need to differentiate between two types
of nanostructures: (1) Nanocomposites, nanostructured
surfaces and nanocomponents (electronic, optical, sensors
etc.), where nanoscale particles are incorporated into a
substance, material or device (fixed nano-particles); and
(2) free nanoparticles, where at some stage in
production or use individual nanoparticles of a substance
are present. These free nanoparticles could be nanoscale
species of elements, or simple compounds, but also
complex compounds where for instance a nanoparticle of a
particular element is coated with another substance
(coated nanoparticle or core-shell nanoparticle).
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There seems to be consensus that, although one should be
aware of materials containing fixed nanoparticles, the
immediate concern is with free nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles are very different from their everyday
counterparts, so their adverse effects cannot be derived
from the known toxicity of the macro-sized material. This
poses significant issues for addressing the health and
environmental impact of free nanoparticles.it is important
that a powder or liquid containing nanoparticles almost
never be monodisperse, but contain instead a range of
particle sizes. This complicates the experimental analysis as
larger nanoparticles might have different properties from
smaller ones. Also, nanoparticles show a tendency to
aggregate, and such aggregates often behave differently
from individual nanoparticles.
Fig 1:-Nanomaterial releases to th environment

Nanomaterials production
The methods for producing nanoparticles are as varied as
the materials themselves. For example,fullerenes comprise
a class of nanomaterials that are made of a newly
discovered allotrope of carbon and exist as hollow spheres,
ellipsoids, or tubes.They have created significant
commercial interest because of their high strength,
electrical conductivity,electron affinity, structure, and
versatility. Some fullerenes have been found naturally as
combustion products. As a result, they are typically
fabricated by chemical vapor deposition, arc discharge, or
controlled pyrolysis. The formation of nanotubes typically
requires a metal catalyst, such as iron or nickel (3), to
organize carbon presented as CO, whereas spherical
buckyballs can be formed by burning benzene in an
oxygenargon flame with careful control of gas flow
.Quantum dots are semiconductors that display narrow
fluorescence or absorption bands because of quantum
constraints imposed on electrons by the finite size of the
material.
In contrast with these bottom-up methods for nanoparticle
fabrication, metal oxanes (e.g., alumoxane) are made in a
top-down procedure in which a mineral (boehmite in the
case of alumoxanes) is cut into smaller pieces by an organic
acid in an aqueous solution . Metal oxanes have been used
as alternatives to solgel precursors for membrane
fabrication and thin films.TiO2 nanoparticles are widely
used for applications such as photocatalysts, pigments, and
cosmetic additives. Many procedures have been reported
for producing TiO2 nanoparticles; most typically involve
synthesis by hydrolysis and calcination .Flame and furnace
reactor syntheses, in which powders
42

such as TiO2 and SiO2 are produced by combusting

vaporizable compounds (e.g., TiCl4), appear to be the most
commercially successful approach to gas-phase synthesis
of nanoparticles .
The solgel method (liquid-phase synthesis)formation of
solid inorganic materials from molecular precursors via
room-temperature, wet-chemistry-based proceduresis
easily adapted to making powders as well as films. This
method typically yields amorphous TiO2, and a subsequent
calcination step is usually required to crystallize the
material. Other common approaches include the
hydrothermal and the furnace pyrolysis methods.
Zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nanoiron) are relatively
advanced environmental nanotechnologies in terms of
large-scale commercial production. Nanoiron is produced
commercially by several companies; each uses a
proprietary synthesis method. In general, two na-noiron
synthesis methods are used commercially:the bottom-up
and the top-down approaches.
Elements of risk
Risk is an important issue to consider in the early stages of
any new technology. Belatedly identified health and
environmental risks have halted technologies of
widespread societal usefulness, leaving society to scramble
for functional substitutes; the cases of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and asbestos are examples.
Even risks not scientifically certain but broadly perceived
can cause similar inefficiencies; despite heavy investments
in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their

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potential benefits to society, public perception of risk has
slowed GMO development.By proactively studying the
potential risks of an emerging technology, we can avoid
having to react to problems caused by belatedly identified
real and perceived risks. Nanotechnology,involving
materials and objects on the scale of 100 nm and smaller
with unique, size-related properties, could benefit from
such proactive consideration of risk. Nanotechnology is
forecast to revolutionize a diverse array of industries as
scientists and engineers design devices and materials that
are superior in terms of speed, efficiency, and strength.
Responsible uses of manufactured nanomaterials in
commercial products and environmental applications, as
well as prudent management of the associated risks,
require a better understanding of their mobility,
bioavailability, and impacts on a wide variety of organisms.
For nanomaterials to present a risk, there must be both a
potential for exposure and a hazard, such as toxicity, that
results after exposure. Exposure varies on the basis of
conditions such as the manner in which materials are
handled in the workplace, how nanomaterials partition to
various phases (e.g., water and air), the mobility of
nanomaterials in each of these phases, their persistence,
and the magnitude of the sources . Research evaluating
potential worker exposure to nanomaterials in fabrication
facilities has focused largely on airborne pathways and, to
a lesser degree, on direct dermal exposure . The transport
and fate of nanomaterials in aquatic environments has
received relatively little attention.
More recent work has begun to consider the impacts of
nanomaterials on bacteria and aquatic life. Although some
nanomaterials, such as fullerenes,may have very low
solubilities in water, functionalization may increase their
affinity for the aqueous phase and their potential reactivity
with cells. Indeed,increasing nanoparticle affinity for the
aqueous phase may be a requirement for uses of these
materials in applications ranging from drug delivery to
groundwater remediation. For example, hydroxylation of
fullerenes, either intentionally or in the fabrication process,
will increase their apparent solubility. Chemical or
biological oxidation may add, remove, or modify
functionalities associated with mineral nanoparticles, and
the adsorption of natural organic matter may alter their
charge and stability in suspension.
Nanomaterials hazards
Cellular interactions and toxicity. Numerous studies have
investigated the human health implications of

nanomaterials Only recently have researchers begun to

study the potential ecological risks and impacts of
nanomaterial releases to the environment.To date, how
much exposure to nanolittermay affect living organisms
remains unknown,as do any specific mechanisms of
toxicity.
This pioneering study concluded that stable colloidal
suspensions of buckminsterfullerenes (C60) in water
(nC60) exerted oxidative stress and caused severe lipid
peroxidation in fish brain tissue. Whether oxidative stress
was the result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced
by nC60 or by the cellular immune response system was not
investigated. The cytotoxicity of other water-soluble,
photosensitive fullerenes (e.g., carboxylated C60, fuller
pyrrolidine) and inorganic nanomaterials (e.g., SiO2, TiO2,
ZnO) has also been associated with oxidative stress, on the
basis that light stimulation causes ROS production, and this
leads to high toxicity.On the other hand, numerous
observations have been made of fullerenes acting as
antioxidants. Indeed,the antioxidant properties of C60
have been compared to those of vitamins C and E in
preventing lipid peroxidation induced by superoxide and
hydroxyl radicals . This apparent dichotomy underscores
the need for research on nanomaterialcell interactions
and the resulting effects on metabolic processes and cell
physiology as a function of dose and exposure
conditions.Microbial ecotoxicology is a particularly
important consideration in elucidating cytotoxicity
mechanisms that could be extrapolated to eukaryotic cells.
Moreover, because microorganisms are the foundation of
all known ecosystems, serving as the basis of food webs
and the primary agents for global biogeochemical cycles,
they are important components of soil health.
Microorganisms could serve as potential mediators of
nanoparticle transformations that affect their mobility and
toxicity. Thus, a better understanding of
nanomaterialmicrobe interactions is important because it
will ensure that nanotechnology evolves as a tool to
improve material and social conditions without exceeding
the ecological capabilities that support them.Suspensions
of nC60 have been reported to exhibit antibacterial activity,
although the possible mechanisms responsible for such
toxicity remain unknown. Unlike some eukaryotic cells that
can assimilate large nanoparticles (up to 100 nm) , bacteria
generally cannot assimilate particles >5 nm, including nC60.
Thus, antibacterial activity likely involves direct contact of
nanoparticles with the cellular surface; this suggests that
the surface chemistry and morphology of nanomaterials
could be very influential factors in their toxicity. The

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antibacterial effect of nC60 could also be due to oxidative
stress. Some oxidation reactions damage the cell
membrane and affect cell permeability and fluidity,leaving
cells more susceptible to osmotic stress or hindering
nutrient uptake. Furthermore, bacterial membranes are
the loci of electron transport phosphorylation and energy
transduction, which can be disrupted if a redox-sensitive
nanomaterial contacts membrane-bound electron carriers
and withdraws electrons from the transport chain. In
theory, such redox interactions could also generate free
radicals that oxidize double bonds on fatty-acid tails of
membrane phospholipids; this could result in the formation
of highly reactive epoxides that can further compromise
the integrity of the cell membrane and even damage DNA.
However, whether nanomaterials cause oxidative stress by
generating ROS or by the cells response to the
nanoparticles is not yet clear.These theoretical interactions
could serve as a guide for advanced microscopic and
chemical analyses of cell constituents to elucidate toxicity
mechanisms and discern physiological characteristics that
confer bacterial resistance to toxicity. For example,it is
plausible that cells possessing a high concentration of
antioxidants (e.g., reduced glutathione) or enzymes that
destroy ROS (e.g., catalase, peroxidase,superoxide
dismutase) might be less susceptible to nanomaterial
toxicity. Theoretical considerations also suggest that
smaller nanoparticles are likely to be more toxic because of
their large specific surface areas, which are conducive to
greater bioavailability.Thus, factors that promote
coagulation and precipitation of nanoparticles in the
environment, such as increases in salt concentration, are
likely to mitigate ecotoxicity.
It has been suggested that derivatization of fullerenes
decreases toxicity. However,derivatization provokes
numerous changes in the physical characteristics of these
materials, including aggregation state, hydrophobicity, and
reactivity,that have not been controlled in studies to
date.Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (e.g.,
nanoiron,magnetite, TiO2) have been proposed for
groundwater remediation , water treatment and removal
of toxic contaminants from air streams. Their widespread
use could expose biological systems through inhalation,
dermal contact, or ingestion and absorption through the
digestive tract. A recent investigation indicates that CeO2
nanoparticles are taken up into human fibroblasts in vitro
(44). However, few other studies describe the effects of
particles once they are taken up into the cells.Preliminary
investigations of the in vitro response of central nervous
system (CNS) microglia to low concentrations of nanoiron

44

(230 ppm) and nanomagnetite (230 ppm) indicate that

these nanoparticles produce an oxidative stress response
and are taken up into cells (Figure 2). Noncytotoxic doses of
Degussa P25 nano-TiO2 caused rapid and sustained release
of ROS by CNS microglia, indicating the potential for
neurotoxicity. Exposure to these nanoparticles also
affected ATP levels, caused mitochondrial depolarization,
and stimulated an oxidative burst in the microglia and
neurons. These results suggest the potential for negative
health effects from exposure and uptake of nanoparticles
into mammalian cells. However, it is important to note that
these are in vitro responses and represent significantly
higher exposures than expected. Tox-icity data and the
potential exposure levels must be considered
simultaneously to determine the risks.
Conclusion-Even though improvement has been made
toward understanding the health and environmental
consequences of these materials, challenges remain for
future research. We have focused on the important issue of
particle characterization studies, which are critical
fundamentals for studying health and environment
impacts of nanomaterials. In addition, a considerate risk
management model framework for identifying the
potential risks related to exposures to nanomaterials has
been developed. Health and environmental risks are
products of both hazards and exposures. Many often
threat data from a toxicity study are confused with the
concept of health risk. It should be noted that exposure is
an integral part of this equation. Risk management should
be an integral part of an work-related safety and health
program,
which is based on recognition of the nanomaterial hazards,
evaluation of the exposure potentials, and application of
control measures to reduce the risk.
References
[1]

Health effects related to nanoparticle exposures:

Environmental, health and safety considerations for
assessing hazards and risks David B. Warheit ,
Christie M. Sayes , Kenneth L. Reed , Keith A. Swain.

[2]

Assessing the risk of manufactured nanomaterials

Mark R.Wiesner Duke university,Greg V lowry
Carnegie Mellon University Pedro Alvarez Rice
University Dianysios Dionysiou University of
Cincinnati Pratim BiswasWashington University in
ST. Louis

KIIT
[3]

Mullin, R. P. What Can Be Learned from DuPont and

the Freon Ban: A Case Study. J. Bus. Ethics 2002, 40,
207-218.

[4]

Asbestos: from magic to malevolent material. Late

Lessons from Early Warnings: The Precautionary
Principle 1896-2000;

[6]

2001, 45 (6), 17881793.

[7]

Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities: Luxembourg, 2001; pp 52-63.
[5]

Feder, B. From Nanotechnologys

Sidelines,OneMore Warning. New York Times, late
ed., New York, Feb 3, 2003, p
C1.contaminationsNanometre-size products of
uranium bioreduction.
Nature 2002, 419, 134-134.

Tsao, N.; et al. Inhibition of Group A Streptococcus

Infection by Carboxyfullerene. Antimicrob. Agents
Chemother.
Mashino, T.; et al. Antibacterial and Antiproliferative
Activity of Cationic Fullerene Derivatives. Bioorg.
Med.
Chem. Lett. 2003, 13 (24), 43954397.

[8]

Babynin, E. V.; et al. Study of Mutagenic Activity of

Fullerene and Some of Its Derivatives using His+
Reversions of Salmonella typhimurium as an
Example. Genetika 2002, Using Endohedral
Metallofullerene Radiotracers.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1999, 96, 51825187.

Coupled Cd(oh)2 Coated Q-cds - Tio2

Nanoparticles
Shipra Mital Gupta1 and Arvind Kumar Jain2
University School of Basic & Applied Sciences,
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University,
Delhi 110075
1
shipra.mital@gmail.com
2
Ansal Institute of Technology, Gurgaon, Haryana 122003
1

Abstract:
There has been a tremendous upsurge of interest in
exploiting renewable sources of energy such as hydro
energy, wind energy, ocean energy and solar energy due to
the increased global consumption and demand of energy
and the dwindling resources of fossil fuels. Solar energy has
a great potential as it is non-polluting energy source and
plentifully availability throughout the year. It has been
found that quantum-sized semiconductor particles have a
vast potential in harnessing of solar energy and its
conversion to chemical energy. These systems have drawn
attention in initiating photocatalytic redox transformations
and treatment of industrial waste.
A number of strategies viz. sensitization and surface
modification of large bandgap semiconductors, coupling of

two or more semiconductors of different bandgaps,

doping of transition metal ions etc. have been adopted for
the enhancement of their photocatalyitic activity.
Q-CdS has a suitable bandgap with absorption in the visible
region. However, it has a problem of photoanodic
dissolution. We have modified the surface of Q-CdS by
binding excess Cd2+ through hydroxylation. This enhances
its photostability and induces the bandgap emission but it
makes the particle relatively inert to initiate photoredox
processes. Cd(OH)2 coated Q-CdS did not sensitize the
reaction of indole O2 redox couple. So we coupled
Cd(OH)2 coated Q-CdS particles with TiO2 which sensitizes
these reactions efficiently (f indigo = 0.08).

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Characterization Techniques of Nanomaterials
Prof. V.K Syal1 and Ms. Anjana Behal2
KIIT College of Engineering
Maruti Kunj, Gurgaon-122102

Abstract:
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials are the key
technologies in the current century. Nanotechnology is the
field of applied science focused on the fabrication,
synthesis, characterization and application of materials and
devices at nanoscale. The precise control of nanoparticle

Schematic diagram of SEM

size, and distribution at nanolevel needs sophisticated

characterization techniques like electron microscopy, X ray
diffraction, Raman spectroscopy etc. This paper discusses
the basic principles and applications of various techniques
to be used for characterization of nanomaterials.

Schematic diagram of Raman

Carbon Nanotube Sensor Networks: A Review

Preeti1, Deepak2 and Kanika3
MAIT Gzb, DRDO2, & KIIT3, Gurgaon
1

Abstract:
This review paper describes the the development of carbon
nanotube transmitter and receiver circuits operating with
radio frequency (RF), allows current wireless technologies
to function at nano-scale environments. This vision also
enables a very large set of new applications such as
coordinated disease detection, drug delivery, and
biological and chemical attack defense. Especially,
46

coordinated nanoscale data acquisition is one of the most

promising functions in the nanotechnology applications.
The concept of Carbon Nanotube Sensor Networks (CNSN)
for future nanoscale data acquisition applications is also
described. CNSN can be perceived as the down-scaled
version of traditional wireless sensor networks without
downgrading its main functionalities.

KIIT

Role of Nanostructured Materials &

Devices in Environmental Pollution Control
Sanjeev K. Sharma, A. K. Jain and Era Upadhyay
Ansal Institute of Technology, Gurgaon-122 003, Haryana, India.
era.upadhyay@aitgurgaon.org

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is the natural progression of technology
miniaturization from the bulk macroscopic world to micro
dimensions (e.g., integrated circuits), and, finally, into the
nanoworld (e.g., the quantum dot). The diverse
applications of nanotechnology across a number of
disciplines in recent years have inspired environmental
researchers to address the need for efficient and effective
methods and devices for the reduction of environmental
burden by conserving resources, reducing chemical waste,
and utilizing less raw materials, chemicals, and energy.
Industrial and agriculture waste, air pollutants, and waste
waters can be reduced and/or treated by process control,
emission control, and waste treatment Rapid progress of

the nanotechnology and advanced nanomaterials

production offers significant opportunities for a wide range
of applications for detection monitor, control, and
remediation of a broad range of environmental pollutants
and contaminants. Nanotechnology is also likely to help
prevent a great deal of pollution in the future by affording
the opportunity to reinvent the energy infrastructure that
powers the economy. Nanoscale materials and devices
could result in game-changing breakthroughs in energy
production through advances in hydrogen and solar
energy, and could even beget vast improvements in the
efficiency and cleanliness of carbon-based energy.

PEDOT-PSS/ graphite nanocomposites fabricated by spin

coating and solution casting method : A comparison
Prachi Singhal and Sunita Rattan
Amity school of Engineering and Technology, AUUP, Noida, India.

Abstract:
The conducting polymer nanocomposites have attracted
considerable attention in recent years because of their
wide application potential in electronics field and diverse
areas. The introduction of electrically conducting carbon
based nano particles as nano graphite, CNTs, carbon fibers
into the polymeric matrix is a promising approach to
fabricate electrically conductive polymeric
nanocomposites. Among the different carbon
nanoparticles much less work has been done on
nanographite although they have in-plane electrical,
thermal and mechanical properties comparable to that of

carbon nanotubes. In the present study, nanocomposites

consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) matrix reinforced with
graphite nanosheets were prepared by solution casting
and spin coating method. The nanocomposites prepared
were characterized by XRD, SEM and FTIR technique.
The dispersion of nanoparticles in PEDOT-PSS polymer is
found to be better in case of solution casting method. The
conductivity studies of the prepared nanocomposites were
carried out.

47

KIIT

Toxicity Of Nanomaterials:
A Major Challenge of the Day
A. K. Jain and Sanjeev Kumar Sharma
Ansal Institute of Technology Gurgaon-122003
Jain1dcy@gmail.com

Abstract:
Nanotechnology has gained considerable attention in the
scientific community ever since its emergence as a
powerful engineering and applied science tool. While
beneficial aspects of nanomaterials are well established,
there are also evidences of the harmful impacts of
nanomaterials on the living cells. We have now understood
the potential and risks of nanotechnology, whether
through general culture in books such as Michael Crichtons
authored Prey or through the scientific reports of the kind
recently published by the Royal Commission on
Environmental Pollution. This has led to a general
consensus that there is a great need to assess the
toxicology of nanoparticles (NPs). It is much harder to
proceed further without knowing the risks and challenges
associated in using nanoparticles for their unending
applications. The diverse array of surface properties
achieved due to reduction in particle size that catalyzes the
surface chemistry of nanoparticles is responsible for their
toxic potential. Physical parameters such as surface area,
particle size, surface charge, and zeta potential are very

important for providing mechanistic details in the uptake,

persistence, and biological toxicity of nanoparticles inside
living cells. As evident from recent findings,
nanotechnology can dramatically change the properties
and applications of industrial and research materials. The
selectivity and reactivity achieved due to very small size
have produced a wide variety of applications of
nanomaterials. Such extraordinary physicochemical
properties bring along a concern about the adverse effects
of nanostructures on biological systems. Research in the
field of biomaterials and biotechnology along with other
sources of human interaction with nanomaterials has thus
attracted considerable attention. This short paper provides
insights into the physical, chemical, and interfacial
parameters on the toxic potential of nanomaterials. While
nanotechnology has promised invaluable progress in
science and technology, the onus rests on the scientific
community to predict the unknown outcome on the
biological system for its safe proliferation.

Fig. The mechanisms of interaction of nanomaterials with biological tissues, illustrating the importance of material chemistry, electronic structure,
bonding, active or passive surface coatings, solubility, and interactions with other environmental factors

48