Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

Hand-out#13 : The Nano World

Prepared by : John Dave A. Dicuangco

Lesson Objectives

• Describe the nanoscience and nanotechnology, characterize its nanoscale, illustrate the
nanoscale, and explain the tools and concept being used to view and build nanomaterials;

• Enumerate the various applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology and the concerns
it faces in different aspects;

• Discuss the status of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the Philippines

Discussion

I. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

A. What is Nanoscience and Nanotechnology?

Scientific researchers have developed new technological tools that greatly improve
different aspects of our lives. One of them is the use of nanotechnology. The use of nanoscale is
one important disciplinary area generated by advancement in science and technology. Scientists
and engineers were able to build materials with innovative properties as they manipulate
nanomaterials. Indeed, research and application of knowledge on nanomaterial will continue to
bring widespread implications in various areas of the society, especially health care,
environment, energy, food, water, and agriculture.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology refer to the study and application of small materials
with a size of a nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. It includes the science,
engineering, physics, biology, and chemistry of nanomaterials. Its concept started way back
December 29, 1959 when physicist Richard Feynman discussed a method in which scientists can
direct and control individual atoms and molecules in his talk “There’s Plenty of Room at the
Bottom” during the American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of Technology.
The term “nanotechnology” was coined by Professor Norio Taniguchi a decade after the dawn of
the use of ultraprecision machining.

B. How Small is a Nanoscale?

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, or 10 -9 of a meter. Manipulation of nanomaterials

needs an adept understanding of their types and dimensions. The various types of nanomaterials
are classified according to their morphology (such as shapes and sizes). They may be particles,
tubes, wires, films, flakes, or shells that have one or more nanometer-sized dimensions. One
should be able to view and manipulate them so that we can take advantage of their exceptional
characteristics.

C. How to View Nanomaterials

Scientists use special types of microscopes to view minute nanomaterials. During the
early 1930s, scientists used electron microscope and field microscope to look at the nanoscale.
The scanning tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope are just among the modern and
remarkable advancements in the microscopy.

1. Electron microscope

German engineers Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll built the first electron microscope during
the 1930s. This type of microscope utilizes a particle beam of electrons to light up a specimen
and develop a well-magnified image. Electron microscopes produce higher and better resolution
than light microscopes because they can magnify objects up to a million times while
conventional light microscopes can magnify objects up to 1500 times only. Scanning electron
microscope and Transmission electron microscope are the two general types of electron
microscopes.

2. Atomic force microscope

It was first developed by Gerd Binig, Calvin Quate, and Christiph Gerher in 1986. It
makes use of a mechanical probe that gathers information from the surface of a material.

3. Scanning tunneling microscope

This special type of microscope enables scientists to view and manipulate nanoscale
particles, atoms, and small molecules. In 1986, Gerd binig and Heinrich Rohrei won the Nobel
Prize in Physics because of this invention.

D. Nanomanufacturing

Nanomanufacturing refers to the scaled-up, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing of

nanoscale materials, structures, devices, and systems. It also involves research, improvement,
and incorporation of processes for the construction of materials. Therefore, nanomanufacturing
leads to the development of new products and improved materials. There are two fundamental
approaches to nanomanufacturing, either bottom-up or top-down.

1. Bottom-up fabrication

It manufactures products by building them up from atomic and molecular scale

components. However, this method can be time-consuming. Scientists and engineers are still in
search for effective ways of putting up together molecular components that self-assemble and
from the bottom-up to organized structures.
 2. Top-down fabrication

It trims down large pieces of materials into nanoscale. This process needs larger amounts
of materials and discards excess raw materials.

E. Distinct Features of Nanoscale

The arrangement of the structure of materials at the nanoscale can change its property of
the material. For instance, a pencil contains a graphite, which is made of carbon atoms that are
arranged in sheets. This can easily slide around when writing because graphite sheets can easily
rub off onto paper. Meanwhile, diamonds are also composed of carbon atoms but are tightly
packed together, making it so hard that they can cut steel.

1. Scale at which much biology occurs. Example: Bio-barcode assay

2. Scale at which quantum effects dominate properties of materials. Example: Nanoscale gold

Gold is known as a shiny, yellow noble metal that does not tarnish, has a face centered
cubic structure. They are non-magnetic and melts at 1336 K. However, different sizes of gold
give different properties. 10 nm particles absorb green ligh and thus appear red. The melting
temperature decreases dramatically as the size goes down. 2-3 nm nanogold also exhibit
considerable magnetism.

3. Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas than similar masses of larger-scale materials.

II. Application and Concerns of Nanomaterials

A. Applications

The concept of nanoscience and nanotechnology were actually derived from the nanostructures
that can be observed in nature. Biomimicry is the term scientists copying nature in which
studying their structure will help us to understand the nanomaterials. Examples include the
design for non-wetting materials and self-cleaning windows from lotus leaves, light interaction
in butterfly wings, ultra-light aircraft components similar to Toucan’s beak.

i. Information and Communication Technology. Nanoparticles such as carbon

nanotubes can be used to replace silicon as a material for making smaller, faster, and more
efficient microchips and devices. Carbon nanotubes are lighter, more conductive, and stronger.
Graphene, which are also made up from carbon molecules, is an ideal candidate for the
development of flexible touchscreens. In the future, it can offer us further materials for fast and
efficient electronic devices.

ii. Energy. Kyoto University is the currently leading in the development of new solar
panels that double the amount of sunlight converted into electricity which are also product of
nanotechnology. Therefore, it can reduce the costs yet produce more energy through its
efficiency. Thermal insulation of nanocomponents can also help us to save energy.
Nanotechnology can further improve the energy storage, production, and conversion.

iii. Biomedicine. Several nanomaterials are being used for early diagnosis and treatment
such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. They are specific and able to attack cancer cells
without harming the healthy cells. Pharmaceutical products also used nanoparticles such as
titanium oxide such as sunscreen. Nanotechnology can bring us more efficient drug delivering
system in the future.

iv. Environment. Air purification with ions, wastewater purification with nanobubbles or

nanofiltration systems for heavy metals are some of its environmentally-friendly applications.
Nanocatalysts are also available to make chemical reactions more efficient and less polluting.

v. Food and Agriculture. Nanobiosensors could be used to detect the presence of

pathogens in food or nanocomposites to improve food production by increasing mechanical and
thermal resistance and decreasing oxygen transfer in packaged products. Nanosilver have anti
microbial properties that can be placed in chopping board or knives. They are also considered as
food supplements to increase the absorption of nutrients. Nanofertilizers and nanopesticides can
also be used to increase the crop yield in agriculture.

vi. Textile. Nanotechnology makes it possible to develop smart fabrics that don't stain

nor wrinkle, as well as stronger, lighter and more durable materials to make motorcycle helmets
or sports equipment.

https://www.iberdrola.com/innovation/nanotechnology-applications

https://www.nano.gov/you/nanotechnology-benefits
B. Concerns

Example of Areas affected by Concerns

Nanotechnology
Environment  High reactivity and toxicity
 Pervasive distribution in the
environment
 No nano-specific EPA regulation
Health  Ability to cross cell membranes and
translocate in the body
 No FDA approval needed for
cosmetics or supplements.
Economy  Redistribution of wealth
 Potential cost of cleanups and
healthcare
 Accessibility to all income levels
III. Status of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the Philippines

The Philippines has also launched its nanoscience and nanotechnology research initiative,
the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Advanced Science and
Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCASTRD) has the following sectors in its
priority - semiconductor, information technology, energy, agriculture, medicine, and
environmental protection. A number of projects have been funded by DOST. Some of these are
listed below:

Food and Agriculture

 nanosilica-based fertilizer that increases germination and growth rate of tomatoes;

 fruitect® coating technology which boosts shelf life of high valued fruits such as mango
and papaya; and
 nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators which enhances germination and root
development of coffee, banana, and cassava.

Environment

 Development of Electrospun PMMA/Clay Nanofibrous Membrane for Wastewater

Treatment
 In late 2008, a local paint company, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., conducted
the world’s largest demonstration project on the air cleaning properties of paint which
incorporates nanoparticle titanium dioxide, a photocatalytic ultrafine TiO2 developed by
Cristal Global. Aside from cleaning the air, the trial also revealed the self-cleaning
property of KNOxOUT. The same photocatalytic reaction that KNOxOUT uses to break
down pollutants also makes it difficult for dirt to adhere to the paint film

Information Technology

 Halloysite–Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposite as Molding Compound for Integrated Circuit

Packaging: The objective of this research is to beneficiate microtubullar silicate
halloysite nanotubes (HNT) from our local deposits and develop HNT-Epoxy Resin
Hybrid nanocomposite for application in the semiconductor industry
Summary

 Nanoscience and nanotechnology are emerging interdisciplinary field of science that

deals with studying, development, and application of nanomaterials.
 Nanoscience and nanotechnology have numerous applications in various aspects for food,
agriculture, medicine, information and communication technology, energy, environment,
and textile. However, several concerns are also being considered.
 The future of nanotechnology in the Philippines is bright. The Philippine government has
identified nanotechnology as one its major areas of development, with a significant
allocation of R&D funding from Department of Science and Technology

References

1. Serafica, J. et.al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Printing Company, Inc.,
First Edition, 2018.

2. Quinto, E.J.M. & Nieva, A.D. Science, Technology, and Society. C&E Bookshop
Publishing.