Nanotechnology and Nanoscience

What is nanotechnology?

❖ Nano is derived from Greek word ‘NANOS’ which means dwarf meaning extremely small. Science refers to system of acquiring knowledge. Technology is the use of scientific knowledge for practical purpose applications, whether in industry of in our everyday lives. Nano science and nanotechnology are the study of applications of extremely small things.

How small?

❖ 1 cm = 102m
❖ 1 mm = 103 m
❖ 1 nm = 109m
❖ 1 nanometer is a billionth of a meter. Nanotechnology is science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nms. (nanometers)
❖ The other thing that makes nanoscale special is Nanotechnology deals with the understanding and control of matter at dimensions approximately 1 to 100 nanoscales. Where unique phenomena enable novel nanotechnology. ‘The design, characterization, production and applications of structures, devices and systems by the control manipulation of size and shape at nano meter scale that produces structures, devices and systems with at least 1 novel superior characteristics or property.
❖The most special thing about nano scale is the surface area. Nano scale materials have the largest surface area than bulk materials. Do to the largest surface area a great amount of the material can come into contact with surrounding materials does affects reactivity. This is why nano scale is considered to be extraordinary.
Still doubtful about how small the nanometer is?
❖ Large raindrop – 2.5 nanometers
❖Virus – 20-250 nanometers
❖DNA – 2.5 nanometers
❖The good thing about nanotechnology is when bulk materials are converted into nanomaterials, their properties, such as M.P, fluorescence, electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and chemical reactivity, change as a function of the size of the particle. As an example, bulk gold appears yellow in color, whereas nanoscale gold appears rid of purple.

USES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH SECTOR

1) Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the health sector.
2) Nanoparticles are being used to deliver drugs at specific target cells in our body. This is called targeted drug delivery. And this technique is being used in cancer treatment. This technology does no harm to healthy cells and needs a very small amount of drug, which lowers the cost of treatment and also the side effects due to chemotherapy.
3) Nanoparticles can be used to repair defects at the molecular level that cause certain diseases.
4) Nanospongecoated with a a redlood cell membrane can be used for observing toxins from the bloodstream.
5) Researchers are trying to use golden particles to kill pathogenic bacteria.
6) Nanobotsare being developed to repair the cells or to do the microsurgery within the body. This is called tissue engineering.

USES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

1) Nano sensors are devices that respond to environmental conditions converting them to a useful form of information.
2) Nano clay enhance the polymer performance by the interaction to polymer.
3) Electronic noses in agriculture will detect crop diseases and monitor the food quality. The electronic nose could also be used in the food industry to assess the freshness and spoilage of fruits and vegetables during the processing and packaging process.

WHY SO MUCH INTEREST IN NANOTECHNOLOGY?

➢ There are a nice number of benefits and applications it delivers. Using nanotechnology, materials can effectively be made smaller, lighter, stronger, more durable, more reactive, and better electrical conductors.
➢ Nanotechnology can find its wide applications in almost every field, ranging from industry textiles, biomedical electronics, renewable energy, the food sector, healthcare, agriculture, the environment, and sports cosmetics. In this way nanotechnology has succeeded in touching every aspect of mankind and society.