NANOMATERIALS, PROCESS AND APPLICATIONS (Subject Code: 10BG501) Offered by Department of Bio Technology

The objective of this course is to educate the students about materials, process and applications of nanotechnology. Nanomaterials are of grain sizes of the order of a billionth of a meter. It is a known fact that nanomaterial outperform their conventional counterparts because of their superior chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Particles, complexes, tubes, coatings, active surfaces and devices are being explored on the nanoscale. Assembly of natures building blocks (e.g. carbon, nucleic acids, lipids and peptides) along with the combination of different materials (e.g. CdSe/ZnS, Au, Ag, Si(n)OH(n)), light harvesting dendrimers and thin films) are resulting in newer applications. Since nanomaterials possess unique chemical, physical and mechanical properties, they can be used for a wide variety of applications such as next-generation computer chips, kinetic energy penetrators with enhanced lethality, better insulation materials, phosphors for high-definition tv, low-cost flat-panel displays, tougher and harder cutting tools, elimination of pollutants, high energy density batteries, high-power magnets, highsensitivity sensors, automobiles, aerospace components, medical implants, ductile etc. The course is designed to make the student learn:
Fundamentals of Quantum concepts. Structures and properties of Carbon based, metal based and bionanomaterials: Fullerenes, Bucky Ball, Nanotubes, Graphene, Quantum Dots, Nano Shells, Dendrimers, Nanocarriers, Nanocrystals, Nanowires, Nanomembranes, hybrid biological/inorganic, protein & DNA based nanostructures. Characterizing nanomaterials using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); Xray spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM),Atomic Force microscopy (AFM) and Scanning tunnel microscopy (STM). Nano Synthesis and Fabrication, bottom up-self assembly and top down approaches using processes like Ball milling, Sol-gel Process, Chemical Vapour deposition (CVD). Plasma or flame spraying synthesis, Ion-Bean sculpting, electrodeposition and various lithography techniques. Nanolithography & Soft lithography.

Overview of nanosensors: Nanosensors in industry, medicine and defense. Market for nanosensors. Various types of nanosensors Magnetic, Electromagnetic , Mechanical and Biosensors. Construction and applications of nanosensors. Micro & Nano-Electromechanical systems - Magnetic, Chemical and Mechanical Transducers Sensing and Actuators. Application of Nanotechnology: Medical Nano biotechnology in Diagnostics, therapeutics, drug delivery, Nano Surgery and Tissue Engineering. Molecular electronics, Molecular switches Mechanical: Cutting tools, Machine components, Magnets, DLC coated grinding wheels. Electrical/Electronics: Solar cells, UV/IR Sensors, Batteries/Fuel cells, Filters. Nano Safety Issues: Toxicology health effects caused by Nanoparticles. Reference Books: 1. Richard Booker and Earl Boyse., Nanotechnology. Wiley dreamtech edition 2005. 2. Chapman & Hall. Nanotechnology Basic Science & Emerging Technologies. CRC 2002 3. Gregory Timp., Nanotechnology. Spring 1st edition; 1998. 4. Teik Cheng Lim., Nanosensors. Taylor and Francis edition; 2010. 5. J Rosenthal Sandra and W Wright David; Nanobiotechnology Protocols. Humana Press, 1st edition; 2005