Nanotechnology:

Business and Practical

Applications:
Where the Philippines
Is and Where It
Should Be

Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit

Ateneo de Manila University

Management Association of the Philippines

August 5, 2008
Nanotechnology Game-Changers

45-nm metal gate

silicon technology

Nano Titanium
Dioxide powder

Cosmetics with nanoemulsions

How small is a nanometer?

(http://cnst.rice.edu/)
 What is Nanotechnology?
The NNI (US) defines nanotechnology as technology
that meets the following three criteria:

(1) Nano-size: (approx. range) 1 to 100 nanometers

(2) With properties and functions not present in larger

dimensions

(3) Design and control at the atomic / molecular level

M. Roco, “National Nanotechnology Initiative: The Long-Term View,” in Proceedings Nanotechnology and the
Environment: Applications and Implications Progress Review Workshop III, EPA, Oct 26-28, 2005, Arlington, VA.
 What is Nanotechnology?

NNI vision:
“systematic control of matter on the nanoscale
level (that) will lead to a revolution in technology
and industry.”

Nanotechnology
Biotechnology Materials Science ICT
 Four Generations of Nanotechnology (NNI)

1. Passive nanostructures size + physical property

2. Active nanodevices quantum properties

3. Systems of nanosystems systems of nanodevices

4. Molecular nanosystems molecular machines and

manufacturing
 Why should we be concerned about
nanotechnology?
• Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may
become pervasive
• Nanotechnology seeks to produce new materials
with specific properties
• Nanotechnology may introduce new efficiencies and
paradigms which may make some natural resources
and current practices uncompetitive or obsolete
• It may be very difficult to detect its presence unless
one has the specialist tools of nanotechnology
 Do we have opportunities in
nanotechnology?

• Yes ! But we have to choose carefully.

• Nanotechnology includes materials and
devices which range from the relatively
inexpensive and accessible to the very
expensive and inaccessible
• Cost-benefit and competitiveness
• Health and environmental risk; life-cycle
analysis
Correlation between the Top Ten Applications of
Nanotechnology for Developing Countries and
the UN Millenium Development Goals

1. Energy storage, production and conversion

2. Agricultural productivity and enhancement
3. Water treatment and remediation
4. Disease diagnosis and screening
5. Drug delivery systems
6. Food processing and storage
7. Air pollution and remediation
8. Construction (Salamanca-Buentello et
al., “Nanotechnology and
9. Health monitoring the Developing World,”
PLoS Medicine, 2, April
2005. http://
10. Vector and pest detection and control www.plosmedicine.org)
 Governments around the World are
funding Nanotechnology
• US National Nanotechnology Initiative [i]
The best known and most funded program is the National
Nanotechnology Initiative of the US. The NNI was established in
2001 to coordinate US federal nanotechnology R&D. The NNI
budget in 2008 and 2009 were $1.4bn and $1.5bn, respectively.

•European Commission [ii]

In February 2008, the EC officially launched the European
Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC)

[i] http://www.nano.gov/html/about/funding.html
[ii] http://www.eniac.eu/web/communication/press_2008.php
Funding in other countries:
•Japan (Nanotechnology Research Institute, under the National
Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, AIST)
•Taiwan (Taiwan National Science and Technology Program for
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology)
•India (Nanotechnology Research and Education Foundation)
•China (National Center for Nanoscience and Technology)
•Israel (Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative)
•Australia (Australian Office of Nanotechnology)
•Canada (National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT)
•South Korea (Korea National Nanotechnology Initiative)
•Thailand (National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC)
•Malaysia (National (Malaysia) Nanotechnology Initiatives (NNI)
 Some concerns
• Developing a rational and cost-effective
approach to Nanotechnology
• Patent situation: US universities hold most
of the patents; patent uncertainties and
abuses
• US Homeland Security restrictions, export
controls and sensitive technologies
 Possible Applications of Nanotechnology
in the Philippines
Energy
ICT &
Semiconductors
Food &
Agroculture

Health &
Medicine Environment
Nanotechnology
 Nanotech Roadmap for the Philippines
(funded by PCASTRD-DOST)

Study 1. ICT and Semi-conductors

Dr. Arnel Salvador, Dr. Roland Sarmago,
Mr. Armando Somintac, Michael Defensor (RA)
Study 2. Health and Biomedical
Dr. Carlo Mar Blanca, Dr. Blessie Basilia,
Dr. Cynthia Saloma, Dindi Samsuya (RA)
Study 3. Energy
Dr. Jim Minglana, Dr. Erwin Enriquez, Dr. Gerry Nuesca,
Ian Harvey Arellano (RA)
Study 4. Environment
Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Dr. Christina Binag, Christian Malapit (RA)
Study 5. Agriculture and Food
Dr. Milagros Peralta, Dr. Fortune Sevilla, Dr. Antonio Laurena,
Dr. Veronica Sabularse, Ruby Ortiz (RA)
 Nanotech Roadmap for the Philippines
(funded by PCASTRD-DOST)

Study 6. Health and Environmental Risk

Dr. Flerida Cariño
Study 7. Nano-Metrology
Dr. Erwin Enriquez
Study 8. Education and Public Awareness
Dr. Fabian Dayrit
 Applications of
Nanotechnology to the
Environment

Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit,

Dr. Christina A. Binag,
and Christian Malapit (RA)
 (Nano Werk - Nanotechnology and water treatment.mht)
• Most of our water is used for agriculture.
Water usage (global)
• Good water quality is essential for public
health. 67% - agriculture
• Almost half the world's population lacks 19% - industry
access to basic sanitation, and almost 1.5
billion have no access to clean water. < 9% - residential
 Major environmental applications of
nanotechnology

1. Water treatment and

purification

3. Green nanocomposites

2. Environmental
remediation
 1. Water Treatment & Purification

Nanoscale water filters can increase fresh water supplies and

protect water quality through effective wastewater treatment.[1]
[1] Chris Phoenix, “Thirty Essential Studies,” Center for Responsible Nanotechnology,
 Nanofiltration uses partially permeable
membranes to perform the separation.
Nanofilters have been applied to Some technologies include:
desalination and water treatment; Ø Polymeric fibers
for removal of microbes and Ø Dendrimers
viruses, and metals. Ø Ceramic filter media
(200 nm pore size)
Ø Nanosize electropositive
filters (NanoCeram®)
Ø SAMMSTM
A commercial SAMMS
(Self-Assembled Monolayers
“mercury sponge” on Mesoporous Supports)
Removal / recovery of metal ions
from aqueous solutions by dendrimer-
enhanced filtration.
2. Environmental Remediation
a. Iron nanoparticles
q Chlorinated compounds (such as chlorinated solvents
and pesticides and PCBs) and brominated compounds are
major environmental contaminants.

Nanoscale metal particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni

nanoparticles, in conjuction with iron filings [Fe(0)]
has been shown to be a promising technology for
reducing chlorinated compounds.
 Ø High surface area
and reactivity
Ø Can be modified to
increase efficiency

The core-shell model of Fe(0) nanoparticles. The core consists of metallic iron,
while the shell consists mostly of iron oxides and hydroxides. RCl refers to
organochlorine compounds. Iron nanoparticles exhibit characteristics of both
iron oxides (e.g., as a sorbent) and metallic iron (e.g., as a reductant).

J. Theron, J.A.Walker, and T.E. Cloete, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 34:43–69, 2008.
Wei-xian Zhang, Journal of Nanoparticle Research 5: 323–332, 2003.
b. TiO2 nanoparticles
TiO2 nanoparticles have been used as
homogenous photocatalysts for the remediation
of ground and wastewater because of their
potential to degrade a wide range of organic and
inorganic compounds. TiO2 is inexpensive and (http://titaniananotubes.com/)
has low toxicity.

c. Ag nanoparticles
Silver (Ag) has long been known to
exhibit strong antimicrobial properties.
Its activity has been enhanced with the
discovery that the bactericidal properties
of Ag nanoparticles (1-100 nm) are
dependent on both their size and shape. Fiber with Ag nanoparticles.
(http://www.polymer.or.kr/)

J. Theron, J.A.Walker, and T.E. Cloete, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 34:43–69, 2008.
 3. Green Nanocomposites
Materials with minimal impact on human health and the
environment; improved performance.
Nanotechnology is having a huge impact on
various consumer products. Nanofibers and
nanoparticles are being used to create next -
generation nonwoven materials and,
ultimately, nonwovens products for industrial
and medical applications.

(www.intertechpira.com/)

Bamboo charcoal fabric is

made from nano-particles of
bamboo-charcoal. The fiber is
impregnated with Ag
(www.twkiosk.com) nanoparticles. (Taiwan KIOSK
Business Co. Ltd. )
(www.lucid-lifestyle.com/)
Possible applications of nanotechnology
for the environment in the Philippines

passive nanomaterials
(nanofilters and green materials)

active nanomaterials
(photochemical reactors,
antibacterial materials, sensors)

nanodevices
(microlabs-on-a-chip
and self-reporting sensors)
Some environmental applications of nanotechnology
which are suitable for the Philippines.
Application of Comments
Nanotechnology
Water purification by § High impact, local need
nanofiltration § Many research efforts already ongoing.
§ Technology is relatively accessible.
Environmental § High impact, local need
remediation § Many research efforts already ongoing.
§ Requires deeper understanding of
kinetics, catalysis and photocatalysis;
analysis of degradation products.
Green § Expand qualities and applications of our
nanocomposites rich biomaterials
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination
will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein