THE NANO WORLD

A. Definition

Terms used with reference to the Nano World:

Nano

- is a prefix used to describe the sizes of the order of one-billionth of a meter.

- from the Greek word 'nanos' meaning dwarf.

Nanoscience

- refers to the scientific study of materials of nanometer size, i.e., one billionth of a meter.

Nanotechnology

- refers to various technologies to produce materials of extra high precision and dimensions on the scale
of one-billionth of a meter.
- “implies the ability to generate and utilize structures, components, and devices with a size range from
about 0.1nm (atomic and molecular scale) to about 100nm (or larger in some situations) by control at
atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels.

Nanomaterials

- denote “divided matter.”

- exhibit properties entirely different from bulk materials and constitute materials of the future.
- a piece of solid matter (for example a metal) containing an Avogadro number of atoms and go on
dividing it to smaller bits, it will ultimately end up with an atom of the substance.

Nanoparticles

- very tiny particles containing 100 to 10,000 atoms. Such particles with diameters of 1-50nm (10-500
Ao).

B. Impacts of the Nano World

Medicine

1. Faster, more functional, and more accurate medical diagnostic equipment.

- Lab-on-a-chip technology enables point-of-care testing in real time, which speeds up delivery
of medical care. Nanomaterial surfaces on implants improve wear and resist infection.

2. Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products improve their absorption within the body and make them
easier to deliver.
- Nanoparticles can also be used to deliver chemotherapy drugs to specific cells, such as cancer
cells.
3. Most sunscreens today are made from nanoparticles that effectively absorb light, including the more
dangerous ultraviolet range.
- These same nanoparticles are also used in food packaging to reduce UV exposure and prolong
shelf life.
Computers

4. Faster, smaller, and more powerful computers that consume far less power, with longer-lasting
batteries.
- Circuits made from carbon nanotubes could be vital in maintaining the growth of computer
power, allowing Moore's Law to continue.

Commercial Use

5. Nanoparticles or nanofibers in fabrics can enhance stain resistance, water resistance, and flame
resistance, without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric.
- For example, “nano-whiskers” on pants make them resistant to water and stains.

6. Carbon nanotubes have a variety of commercial uses, including playing sports equipment stronger and
lighter weight.
- For example, a tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes bends less during impact and
increases the force and accuracy of the delivery. Nanoparticle-treated tennis balls can keep
bouncing twice as long as standard tennis balls.

7. A huge variety of chemical sensors can be programmed to detect a chemical at amazingly low levels.
- This capability is ideal for surveillance and security systems at labs, industrial sites, and
airports. On the medical front, nanosensors can also be used to accurately identify cells or
substances in the body.

Industrial Use

8. Improved vehicle fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance by building vehicle parts from
nanocomposite materials that are lighter, stronger, and more chemically resistant than metal.
- Nanofilters remove nearly all airborne particles from the air before it reaches the combustion
chamber, further improving gas mileage.

9. Water filters that are only 15-20 nanometers wide can remove nano-sized particles, including virtually
all viruses and bacteria.
- These cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems are ideal for improving the quality of
drinking water in emerging countries.

10. Many drink bottles are made from plastics containing nanoclays, which increase resistance to
permeation by oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture.
- This helps retain carbonation and pressure and increases shelf life by several months.
Advantages of the Nano World

Manufacturing

Nanotechnology is already making new materials available that could revolutionize many areas of
manufacturing. For example, nanotubes and nano particles, which are tubes and particles only a few atoms
across, and aerogels, materials composed of very light and strong materials with remarkable insulating
properties, could pave the way for new techniques and superior products. In addition, robots that are only a few
nanometers in length, called nanobots, and nanofactories could help construct novel materials and objects.

Energy

Nanotechnology may transform the ways in which we obtain and use energy. It’s likely that nanotechnology
will make solar power more economical by reducing the cost of constructing solar panels and related
equipment. Energy storage devices will become more efficient as a result. Nanotechnology will also open new
methods of generating and storing energy.

Electronics and Computing

The field of electronics is set to be revolutionized by nanotechnology. Quantum dots, for example, are tiny
light-producing cells that could be used for illumination or for purposes such as display screens. Silicon chips
can already contain millions of components, but the technology is reaching its limit; at a certain point, circuits
become so small that if a molecule is out of place the circuit won't work properly. Nanotechnology will allow
circuits to be constructed very accurately on an atomic level.

Medicine

Nanotechnology has the potential to bring major advances in medicine. Nanobots could be sent into a patient's
arteries to clear away blockages. Surgeries could become much faster and more accurate. Injuries could be
repaired cell-by-cell. It may even become possible to heal genetic conditions by fixing the damaged genes.
Nanotechnology could also be used to refine drug production, tailoring drugs at a molecular level to make
them more effective and reduce side effects.

Disadvantages of the Nano World

Environmental Effects

Some of the more extravagant negative future scenarios have been debunked by experts in nanotechnology.
For example: the so-called "gray goo" scenario, where self-replicating nanobots consume everything around
them to make copies of themselves, was once widely discussed but is no longer considered to be a credible
threat. It is possible, however, that there will be some negative effects on the environment as potential new
toxins and pollutants may be created by nanotechnology.
Economic Upheaval

It is likely that nanotechnology, like other technologies before it, will cause major changes in many economic
areas. Although products made possible by nanotechnology will initially be expensive luxury or specialist
items, once availability increases, more and more markets will feel the impact. Some technologies and
materials may become obsolete, leading to companies specializing in those areas going out of business.
Changes in manufacturing processes brought about by nanotechnology may result in job losses.

Privacy and Security

Nanotechnology raises the possibility of microscopic recording devices, which would be virtually
undetectable. More seriously, it is possible that nanotechnology could be weaponized. Atomic weapons would
be easier to create, and novel weapons might also be developed. One possibility is the so-called "smart bullet,"
a computerized bullet that could be controlled and aimed very accurately. These developments may prove a
boon for the military; but if they fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be dire.

Current Researches on the Nano World

1. Nanotechnology in Medical Delivery

Date: September 25, 2019

Source: Michigan State University

Michigan State University scientists have invented a new way to monitor chemotherapy concentrations, which
is more effective in keeping patient treatments within the crucial therapeutic window. Professor Smith’s team
which included scientists from Stanford University, used mice models to pair it’s superparamagnetic
nanoparticle system with Doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. The results showed that the
nanocomposite combination serves as a drug delivery system as well as an MPI tracer.

It will allow doctors to see more precisely how much medicine is reaching the tumor at any depth.

Professor Smith showed that the MPI signal changes are linearly correlate with the release of Doxorubicin with
near 100-percent accuracy, this key concept enabled our MPI innovation to monitor drug release.

Terms used:

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI)- an immerging non-invasive tomographic technique that directly detects
superparamagnetic nanoparticle tracers.

Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles- is a form of magnetism which appears in small ferromagnetic or

ferromagnetic nanoparticles.

Doxorubicin- a chemotherapy drug that slows or stops the growth of cancer cells by blocking enzyme to divide
and grow.
 2. Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture

Date: June 20, 2017

Source: Ram Prasad, Atanu Bhattacharyya, Quang D. Nguyen

Nanotechnology monitors a leading agricultural controlling process, especially by its miniature dimension.
Additionally, many potential benefits such as enhancement of food quality and safety, reduction of agricultural
inputs, enrichment of absorbing nanoscale nutrients from the soil, etc. allow the application of nanotechnology
to be resonant encumbrance. The ambition of nanomaterials in agriculture is to reduce the amount of spread
chemicals, minimize nutrient losses in fertilization and increased yield through pest and nutrient management.
The significant interests of using nanotechnology in agriculture includes specific applications like nano
fertilizers and nano pesticides to trail products and nutrients levels to increase the productivity without
decontamination of soils, waters, and protection against several insect pest and microbial diseases.
Nanotechnology may act as sensors for monitoring soil quality of agricultural field and thus it maintains the
health of agricultural plants. This review covers the current challenges of sustainability, food security and
climate change that are exploring by the researchers in the area of nanotechnology in the improvement of
agriculture.

3. Micromotors push around single cells and particles

Date: October 25, 2019

Source: University of California - San Diego

A new type of micromotor -- powered by ultrasound and steered by magnets -- can move around individual
cells and microscopic particles in crowded environments without damaging them. In one demonstration, a
micromotor pushed around silica particles to spell out letters. Researchers also controlled the micromotors to
climb up micro sized blocks and stairs, demonstrating their ability to move over three dimensional obstacles.

4. Nanomaterials-Emerging as Everyday Material and Processes

Date: February 2018

Source: Dr.Vrushali Joshi, Sunandan Divatia School of Science India

Nanomaterials are already in commercial use. Very broad range of commercial products is available today.
Stain-resistant and wrinkle-free textiles, cosmetics, electronic equipment, paints and varnishes are
available in market. Nanocoatings and nanocomposites are finding uses in diverse consumer products,
such as windows, sports equipment, bicycles and automobiles. There are novel UV-blocking coatings on glass
bottles. These protect beverages from damage by sunlight, Nano-clay composites. Nanoscale titanium dioxide,
for instance, is finding applications in cosmetics, sunblock creams and self-cleaning windows.
Nanoscale silica is being used as filler. It includes cosmetics and dental fillings.

Eyeglasses, computer and camera displays, windows, and other surfaces are coated with clear nanoscale films.
The film deposition can make them water-and residue-repellent, antireflective, self-cleaning, resistant to
ultraviolet or infrared light, antifog, antimicrobial, scratch-resistant or electrically conductive.
Nanoscalematerials enable us washable and durable smart fabrics.
 5. Nanotechnology Research: Applications in Nutritional Sciences

Date: January 2010

Source: Srinivas PR, Philbert M, Vu TQ, et al.

This research focuses on the new and emerging technologies that are currently or soon to be available for
nutritional sciences such as nanoscale optical sensors such as PEBBLE for intracellular chemical sensing;
nanoencapsulation of bioactive food components to improve their bioavailability; and intelligent food
packaging that acts as a biosensor to monitor and detect spoilage or infection.

Nanotechnology has the potential to advance the science of nutrition by assisting in the discovery,
development, and delivery of several intervention strategies to improve health and reduce the risk and
complications of several diseases. This symposium was designed to enhance knowledge and understanding
about technologies that may be utilized or are currently being employed and or/modified for nutrition and food
science research. It is hoped that by highlighting these technologies the potential benefit of nanomaterials to
revolutionize food and nutrition research is recognized.

References

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Joshi, Vrushali "Nano Materials-Emerging as Everyday Material and Processes "International Journal of
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Srinivas PR, Philbert M, Vu TQ, et al. Nanotechnology research: applications in nutritional sciences, 2010
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Prasad, Ram, et al. “Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture: Recent Developments, Challenges, and
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Cameron, Layne, and Bryan Smith. “Nanotechnology Improves Chemotherapy Delivery.” MSUToday, Sept.
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