Nanotechnology:

Enabling technologies for innovation

Authors :Dr.Preeti Agarwal Ms.Vishranti Raut Mr.Gaurav Pande

Director, G.H.Raisoni Lecturer Network Administrator

Institute of Information Technology Global Business School, G.H.Raisoni Institute of

Jalgaon Jalgaon Information Technology, Jalgaon

Mob.No-9822556672 Mob. No- 9422501461 Mob.No-9420350172 E-mail: -vishranti_raut E-mail: - gaurav.it07@gmail.com

@rediffmail.com

AbstractEnhanced abilities to understand and

manipulate matter at the molecular and atomiclevels promise a wave of significant newtechnologies over the next five decades.Dramatic breakthroughs will occur in diverseareas such as medicine, communications,computing, energy, and robotics. Thesechanges will generate large amounts of wealthand force wrenching changes in existingmarkets and institutions. [3]

This paper discusses the range ofsciences currently covered by nanotechnology.Nanotechnology involves the manipulation ofobjects on the atomic level. Products will bebuilt with every atom in the right place,allowing materials to be lighter, stronger,smarter, cheaper, cleaner, and more precise[7]. It begins with a description of whatnanotechnology is and how it relates toscientific advances. It then describes the mostlikely development of different technologies ina variety of fields. [3]

Introduction -Nanotechnology (NT) is the

production and use of materials at the smallestpossible scale i.e. 100 nanometers or less.[4] Nanotechnology is a word that includesboth a scale (nano) and a technology [2].Nanotechnology is engineering at themolecular (groups of atoms) level. It is thecollective term for a range of technologies,techniques and processes that involve themanipulation of matter at the smallest scale forexample, the width of an average hair is from1 to 100 nanometers 1/10,000th thethickness of a human hair.

At this very small scale, the properties ofmaterials such as colour, magnetism and theability to conduct electricity change inunexpected ways. This results in new, excitingand different characteristics that can generate avast array of novel products.

Because nanotechnology is classified by thesize of the materials being developed andused, the products of this engineering can havelittle in common with each other for

example fuel cells, fabrics or drug deliverydevices. What brings them together is thenatural convergence of all basic sciences(Biology, physics and chemistry) at themolecular level. [5]

Nanotechnology (NT) is theproduction and use of materials withpurposely-engineered features close to theatomic or molecular scale. NT deals withputting things together atom by- atom and withstructures so small they are invisible to thenaked eye. It provides the ability to creatematerials, devices and systems withfundamentally new functions andproperties.[2]

Unifying themes of nanotechnologyBecause nanotechnology is classified

by the size of the materials being developedand used, the products of this engineering canhave little in common with each other forexample fuel cells, fabrics or drug deliverydevices. What brings them together is thenatural convergence of all basic sciences at themolecular level. At this level, these diversefields are unified by the following commonthemes:

1.Characterisation tools — To be able toexamine and see the nanostructures or thebuilding blocks of nanomaterials,characterisation tools such as X-raydiffraction, Synchrotron, Scanning andTransmission Electron Microscopy, ScanningTunneling and Atomic Force Microscopy arepowerful tools across disciplines.

2.Nanoscale science — Because the propertiesof materials change in unexpected ways at thenanoscale, the science of understanding thebehavior of molecules at this scale is critical tothe rational design and control ofnanostructures for all product applications.

3.Molecular level computations —Computation technologies such as quantummechanical calculations, molecularsimulations and statistical mechanics areessential to the understanding of all nanoscalephenomena and molecular interactions.

4. Fabrication and processing technology —Many nanoparticles, powders and suspensionscan be directly applied in paints, cosmetics,

and therapeutics. However, othernanomaterials must be assembled andfabricated into components and devices. Inaddition, processing techniques such as sol-gel, chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermaltreatment, and milling are common techniques.[5]

Main Approaches-Two main approaches used in nanotechnologyare as follows1. Bottom Up2. Top Down

In the "bottom-up" approach,materials and devices are built from molecularcomponents which assemble themselveschemically by principles of molecularrecognition.

In the "top-down" approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entitieswithout atomic-level control.

A very common example of TopDown nanotechnology is the memory chip intoday s high storage capacity USB memorydevices. The individual tracks in the memorychip are less than 100nm in width, and thesedevices are easily available on the market.

In an example of bottom-up researchIBM have announced a program to developmemory devices based on single molecules.[2]

Rapid Development in Nanotechnology-The current age is characterized by

accelerating technological development, andNT is developing astonishingly with rapidswift. The field was not identified until 1959,when Nobel physicist Richard Feynman calledattention to the opportunities in the realm ofthe staggeringly small . In 2001, Sciencemagazine named NT the: Breakthrough of theyear. Currently, there are several hundreddifferent commercial applications of NT. The

National Science Foundation predicts thatnano-related goods and services could be a $1trillion market by 2015.This often-repeatedfigure seems to have little analytical basis.[4]It seems that nanotechnology has begun toblossom in the last ten years, this is largelydue to the development of new instrumentsthat allow researchers to observe andmanipulate matter at the nano level.Technologies such as scanning tunnelingmicroscopy, magnetic force microscopy, andelectron microscopy allow scientists toobserve events at the atomic level.

During the first period products willtake advantage of the passive properties ofnano materials, including nanotubes andnanolayers. For example,

Titanium dioxide used in sunscreens,when broken down into nanoparticles itbecomes transparent to visible light,eliminating the white cream appearance.

Tennis rackets containing thempromise to deliver greater stiffness withoutadditional weight.

Yarn that is coated with a nanolayer ofmaterial can be woven into stain-resistantclothing.

Each of these products takesadvantage of the unique property of a materialwhen it is manufactured at a nanoscale.However, in each case the nanomaterial itselfremains static once it is encapsulated into theproduct. [3]

NT particles potentially can penetratedeep into the lungs when inhaled, may beabsorbed through the skin, and may becirculated throughout the entire human bodyonce they get into any single part of the body.

Nanotechnology has indeed promiseda great future for humanity. However, thedown side of the technology should not beneglected. In order to prevent any threat to thesociety, it is crucial that nanotechnology isdeveloped under acceptable standards withregard to ethical and social considerations.[1]

Nanotechnology can be viewed in variety offields-The science, engineering, and technology

related to the understanding and control ofmatter at the length scale of approximately 1to 100 nanometers. However, nanotechnologyis not merely working with matter at thenanoscale, but also research and developmentof materials, devices, and systems that havenovel properties and functions due to theirnanoscale dimensions or components .[3]

In actual fact, the possibilities fornanotechnology are endless. With sufficientlyfine tools, scientists can controlnanosystems and use them to mop up

pollution, store information, target cancer cellsand even build motors for cars too small to beseen with the naked eye. [1]

Nanotechnology is not new. Nanoproductsare already in the marketplace, such asstain resistant and wrinkle-free textiles.But because it transcends theconventional boundaries between basicsciences, nanotechnology has thepotential to transform the way we live.

1.Medical Science:The advantages of tiny technology are

perhaps most apparent in medicine. Smallerforeign mechanical devices will be able toreach the places where the larger equivalentscan t.For instance,_Miniature Dialysis-machine: kidney failure,_Radiation therapy: in cancer treatment,_Nano-robot: inside human vein to removeblock from the blood vessel. [2]

2. Nanopowders:Nanopowders contain particles less

than 100 nm in size (1/10,000th the thicknessof a human hair). The physical, chemical andbiological properties of such small particlesallow industry to incorporate enhancedfunctionalities into products.

3. Membranes:Nanotechnology can address one of

the most pressing issues of the 21st Century —“safe, clean and affordable water .

There are 1.3 billion people withoutaccess to safe drinking water and indicationsare that global consumption of water willlikely double in the next 20 years.

Nanomembrane filtration devicesthat clean the polluted water , are beingexplored by research teams in the US, Israeland Australia at various prosperous researchcenters

4. Carbon nanotubes:Strong but light carbon nanotubes

are being developed for a raft of uses, such assensors, fuel cells, computers and televisions.

The applications of nanotubes are setto expand even further now that scientists havefound that other materials besides carbon canform nanotubes.

The historical development of thescience and the business of nanotubes areillustrated in the following chart.

5. Molecular electronics:Hewlett-Packard (world's biggest

computer companies) declared on 1 February2005 that, it is on the verge of a revolution incomputer chip technology . They believe thattiny nanotechnology devices described, ascross bar latches will replace silicon

computer chips. These molecular-scalealternatives to the transistor shoulddramatically improve the performance ofcomputers because they are much smaller only 2 or 3 nm in size compared with 90 nmfor transistors and they can store memoryfor much longer periods. [5]

Social and Ethical issues arises fromNanotechnology-

Though technology has brought greatbenefits to human society, people has alove/hate relationship with new advances.

This is partially because newtechnology always creates new economic

possibilities, which upset those benefitingfrom the status quo. [3]

It is difficult to predict,_The social and ethical implication oftechnologies,_The impacts of use of nanotechnology_The business decisions of product smarketing.

These few examples illustrate thesubstantial social and economic benefit thatnanotechnology should bring, but also thepotential negative outcomes across society andto both developed and developing nations.[5]

ChallengesChallenges faced by Nanotechnology areas follows:

Nanoparticles and products may affectnature, natural systems and human healthwhich is great concern to environmentalists.

Transforming the micro scale systems withthe nano scale systems is the biggestproblem.

Building self-replicating, learning machinesfrom much smaller structures are confronted.

It is also equally important to understand the relation of nanotechnology to other

technologies.

To produce more highly optimized nano-scaleproducts than nature has already achieved insmall organisms.

Understanding self-assembly which are the properties of some molecules to arrange

themselves into a desired pattern or devices.

To improve one s control over how thingsare built, so that products can be of thehighest quality and cause the lowestenvironmental degradation.

Need for packing and protection fromenvironment for the nanoproducts is also abig challenge.

ConclusionNanotechnologies are starting to have

an impact on our everyday lives. It is possiblethat nanotechnology will create whole newindustry through disruptive technologies. Theworking group identified the need forgovernment and non-government initiatives tocatalyze the significant effort. As thedevelopment of nanotechnology progresses inseveral disciplines including basic science,computer scientists must be aware of theirroles and brace themselves for the greateradvancement of nanotechnology in the future.

Mechanisms needed to support andstrengthen nanotechnology industry, will alsorequire a full complement of infrastructuresuch as characterization tools, nanoscalescience, molecular level computations andfabrication and processing technology.

It is crucial that we have in place theappropriate frameworks for coordination,regulation, training and education to ensuresuccessful industry uptake and to address theissues at the research, industry and communitylevels. The development of a comprehensiveimpact and risk analysis framework must beseen as a high priority.

References

1. Boonserm Kaewkamnerdpong andPeter J. Bentley.: Computer Sciencefor Nanotechnology: Needs andOpportunities.

2. Prof. Erol Harvey at the COMS07meeting held in Melbourne.: A briefintroduction to Micro and NanoTechnologies. Sept 2-6, 2007

3. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Ranking MemberJoint Economic Committee UnitedStates Congress.: Nanotechnology:The Future is Coming Sooner ThanYou Think. March 2007

4. J. Clarence Davies.: Managing theeffects of Nanotechnology.

5. An independent working group for thePrime Minister s Science, Engineeringand Innovation Council (PMSEIC):Nanotechnology Enablingtechnologies for Australian innovative.March 2005.

6. Jason Montesanto February 27, 2001. :Future of Nanotechnology

7. Allison Starr AE 510: An Introductionto Nanotechnoloy: The Developmentand Future of this RevolutionaryScience. November 9, 2001.

8. IETE TECHNICAL REVIEW TheInstitution of Electronics andTelecommunication Engineers : 1JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007

9. Hugh Lacey : Ethics and Developmentof Nanotechnology