Unit 4: Nanotechnology

This unit:
1. discusses the antecedents of
nanotechnology and discusses both its
positive and adverse impacts on environment
and society.
2. illustrates how nanotechnology affected our
lives individually and as society.
 Discussion
 Nanotechnology
 is the branch of technology that deals with
dimensions and tolerances of less than 100
nanometers, especially the manipulation of
individual atoms and molecules
 also the study and application that can be used
across all the other science fields, such as
chemistry, biology, physics, materials science,
and engineering
 It is ‘convergent’ because it brings together
Nanotechnology on red sectors of science that were previously separated
blood cells (RBC) e.g. (deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA silicon chips,
www.ediblecomputerchips.com
converging between semiconductor science
(inorganic chemistry) and biology, with
applications in the medical industry.
Discussion
 To decipher how nanotechnology works, three
dimensions must be considered:
1. tangible objects which include materials,
devices and system
2. passive, static objects i.e. nanoparticles that
have properties different to bulk objects even if
they have the same composition; the active
devices i.e. those that can store information,
induce energy or change its state; and the
nanofacture which refers to atomically precise
Nanofacture manufacturing (APM) i.e. collection of
www.wahington.edu instruments and procedures
3. direct nanotechnology which refers to materials
structured at nanoscale components
Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢ In medicine
more effective drugs for conditions such as high blood pressure
assisted by the view of these molecules afforded by X-ray lasers
simulate biological mechanisms to monitor a cancer cell
simulate biological mechanisms to monitor a cancer cell while
it is treated by drug-bearing nanoparticles
“nanobots” - molecular-scale workers that can employ
molecular processes within cells which eventually can deliver
drugs to specific molecular sites or even carry out surgery
(Biercuk, 2011)
It is now possible to diagnose prevalent contagious diseases like
HIV/ AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, etc. with screening devices
using nanotechnology (AZoNanotechnology, 2004).
Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢ Water purification systems
with nanomaterials and utilizing new membrane technologies
with variable pore sizes as filters i.e. the forward-osmosis
membrane technology of Hydration Technologies are now
available (Prashant et al, 2005).
Nanoparticles are also used to prepare heat-resistant and self-
cleaning surfaces, such as floors and benchtops
Nanoparticles of silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide can also
make a surface repel water, which prevents stains. Detergent
molecules self-assemble into a sphere to form a micelle that
allows the detergent to traps oils and fats within the cavity of
the sphere that eventually aids washing.
Zeolites are silicon oxide and aluminium oxide that have
specific nanoporous cage-like structures allowing it to absorb
molecules i.e. heavy metals and compounds that cause odor
(Shearer, 2016).
Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢ In agriculture
novel techniques of nanotechnology applications are applied to
breed crops with higher levels of micronutrients, to detect
pest, and to control processing of food (Hechman, 2005)
Ultra-small probes on earth surfaces for agricultural
applications and control of soil, air, and water contamination
are also developed by nanotechnology (Zhang et al, 2011).
For contamination of Arsenic in soil and water, a simple and
cheap but effective way of removing the contaminant with
TiO2 nanoparticles. (Pena et al, 2005).
Availability of a nanotechnology inspired detector from
Washington, which can sense the smallest amount of radiation,
made the detection of a nuclear leak faster and more accurate
at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Zhang et al,
2011).
Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢ In agriculture
Chlorinated compounds i.e. chlorinated solvents and pesticides
and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated
compounds are major environmental contaminants that can be
reduced using nanoscale metal particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni
in conjunction with iron filings [Fe(0)] (Dayrit et al, 2008).
Bio nanotechnology provides feasible solutions e.g. support of
cleaner production methods, provision of alternative and
renewable energy sources, and source reduction into the
manufacturing process (Colvin, 2003).
Nanotechnology helps in energy consumption like in the use of
graphene into a coating material resulting in the need for only
one layer, which does not require a multifunctional film
coating. Nanoscale chemical reagents or catalysts are smaller
in sizes yet increase the reaction rate, thus lessening input of
raw materials (Zhang et al, 2011).
Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢ In agriculture
 In the lecture given by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit in 2008 entitled
“Nanotechnology: Business and Practical Applications: Where the
Philippines Is and Where It Should Be”,
 possible applications of nanotechnology in the Philippines, namely:
✓ ICT and Semiconductors,
✓ Energy, Food and Agriculture,
✓ Environment, and Health and
✓ Medicine
o He mentioned existing and on-going research studies that time
funded by the Department of Science and Technology on these
areas, as well as on Nano-Metrology and Education and Public
Awareness.
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology when used in environmental impact assessments and in toxicology
testing, may bring a possibility of e-waste bins at recycling centers or even in
sanitary landfills to have intricately engineered nanostructures that could screen
what happen to these e-wastes to possibly lessen environmental consequences. This
may be feasible but may be difficult.
The mineral-based nanoparticles found in
✓ cosmetics,
✓ paints,
✓ clothing and other products
o affect the environment as they go through sewerage treatment plants untreated
due to their very small diameters. They can be carried down by fine silts or
microplastics with both inorganic and organic pollutants. Thus, may even affect
our water source (Biercuk, 2011).
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
Carbon nanotubes used in manufacture of
✓ memory storage,
✓ electronic,
✓ batteries, etc.
o were found to have unknown harmful impacts to the human body by
inhalation into lungs comparable to asbestos fiber11.
o The pulmonary toxicological evaluation of single-wall carbon nanotubes12
indicated that it is more toxic than carbon black and quartz once it reaches
lung13 while multifocal granulomas were produced when rats were
exposure to single-wall carbon nanotubes14 (Zhang et al, 2011).
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
Due to its size, nanoparticle will be difficult to be analyzed and this lack of
information and methods of characterizing nanomaterials makes it a challenge to
detect its concentration in air or in any matrix of the environment.
Predicting the toxicity of a nanomaterial rely heavily on the information of the
chemical structure since minor changes of chemical function group could
drastically change its properties.
Point to point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology then should be
conducted to ensure the safety on human health and environment.
The risk assessment should include the exposure risk and its probability of
exposure, toxicological analysis, transport risk, persistence risk, transformation
risk and ability to recycle (Zhang et al, 2011), which will be quite expensive due
to the difficulty in detection of nano particles.
Discussion
Dilemma of Utilizing Nanotechnology
➢With the identified potential hazard that
nanoparticles can bring to human health and
the environment, shall we give up the
benefits the technology can provide the
society?
Issues raised may be further studied and
modification of nanotechnology methods
may be done i.e. that of altering the
composition of graphene.
Graphene is known to be one of the most advanced
materials for
✓ structural improvement,
✓ substitution of silicon for electronic devices,
✓ thermal transferring, and
✓ fire retardant,
o to become more environmental friendly. Some
studies also found microorganisms that can
decompose graphene to make it less toxic to the
environment (Zhang et al, 2011).
It is imperative therefore, that the society is given a nano
safe knowledge on how nanomaterials work to our benefit
or even to our detriment.