MODULE 9
NANOTECHNOLOGY
PRESENTED BY I.N. SANTOS
Department of Biology
School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
Discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its
importance to the society.
Enumerate the positive and negative impacts of
nanotechnology.
Identify the moral and ethical questions concerning
nanotechnology.
DEFINITIONS TO REMEMBER
NANO
nano = 10⁻⁹
means one billionth of a unit
1 nanometer (nm) = 0.000000001 or 10⁻⁹ meter (m)
Example: If 1 nm = a marble, then 1 m = size of the earth
Why study the Nano scale?
materials behave differently at the nanoscale
properties like color, strength, reactivity, and conductivity change
the nano world follows different physics than the macro world
DEFINITIONS TO REMEMBER
NANOTECHNOLOGY
engineering and manipulating matter at atomic or
molecular scale
involves structures 1-100 nanometers in size
includes: design, characterization, production,
application of nanoscale systems
focuses on controlling shape and size at the
nanoscale
medicine
electronics
SOME APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY energy
environment
textiles
DEFINITIONS TO REMEMBER
NANOSCIENCE
study of very small materials using specialized
microscopes and nanodevices
involves structures on the nanoscale (1-100 nm)
studies nanostructures and their unique properties
focuses on how materials behave at atomic,
molecular, and macromolecular levels
Nanoscience = understanding Nanoscience is like discovering how
DIFFERENCE cells work; nanotechnology is using that
Nanotechnology = applying
knowledge to make medicine.
DEFINITIONS TO REMEMBER
NANOSTRUCTURES
structures ranging from 1-100 nm
too small to be seen by the naked eye
unique properties:
high surface area to volume effects
quantum effects
enhanced reactivity and strength
Example of nanomaterials that naturally exist:
volcanic ash, ocean spray, fine sand, dust
Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)
OBSERVED USING
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
The invention of STM and AFM marked the birth of nanotechnology.
SCANNING TUNNELING ATOMIC FORCE
MICROSCOPE (STM) MICROSCOPE (AFM)
STM allows scientists to see individual AFM allows 3D surface imaging at
atoms nanoscale
Huge gaps in knowledge about
possible risks.
Enormous potential benefits.
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH
INTEREST AND CONCERN Difficult to detect, monitor, or
remove nanoparticles.
ABOUT NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Lack of clear regulations and
safety guidance.
METHODS OF MAKING NANOPARTICLES
1) TOP-DOWN APPROACH
cutting, slicing, or breaking bulk materials
into nanosized particles
used in microchip manufacturing
used in nanocomposites and nanocoatings
examples:
silver nanoparticles in plastics →
antibacterial
→
titanium dioxide on glass self-cleaning
surfaces
carbon nanotubes in plastics/paints →
stronger & conductive
characterized by processes such as attrition
or milling
METHODS OF MAKING NANOPARTICLES
2) BOTTOM-UP APPROACH
building nanoparticles atom by atom,
molecule by molecule, or cluster by cluster
also called molecular self-assembly
creates nanoparticles with new properties
(stronger, lighter, more efficient)
example method: colloidal dispersion
TOP-DOWN VS. BOTTOM-UP APPROACHES IN
NANOPARTICLE SYNTHESIS
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
1) ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE CLEANUP OIL SPILL CLEANUP
titanate nanofibers & nanotubes used as nanofabric “paper towel” made of
absorbents potassium manganese oxide absorbs 20x
very effective in removing radioactive its weight in oil
cesium and iodine ions from water magnetic, water-repellent nanoparticles
allow oil removal using magnets
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
1) ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION
GROUNDWATER CLEANUP
iron nanoparticles spread through
contaminated water and break down
harmful chemicals
more effective and cheaper than pumping
water out for treatment
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
2) MEDICAL
APPLICATIONS
NANOFLARES DRUG DELIVERY
bind to specific genetic targets in cancer nanoparticles deliver medicine directly to
cells cancer cells
emit light when the target is found → reduces damage to healthy tissue
helps detect cancer has potential to lessen side effects of
chemotherapy
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
2) MEDICAL
APPLICATIONS
GOLD NANOPARTICLES REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
used to detect disease by binding to used for bone and neural tissue
nucleic acids engineering
being studied as cancer treatments mimic natural bone minerals for tissue
combined with fluorescent proteins to restoration
identify cancer types graphene nanoribbons show potential in
repairing spinal cord injuries
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
3) FOOD INDUSTRY
APPLICATIONS
NANOSILVER in cutting boards and NANOSENSORS in food packaging track
packaging →antibacterial freshness and shelf-life
NANOSIZED CARRIERS improve nutrient NANOSIZED SALT PARTICLES increase
absorption in supplements →
flavor same taste with less salt
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
4) OTHER NANOTECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS
POLLUTION REDUCTION ELECTRICITY GENERATION/ENERGY
silver nanoclusters used as catalysts silver nanowires + polymers → low-cost,
reduce harmful byproducts high-efficiency solar cells
nanotech improves solar panels’ energy
conversion
bionanotechnology supports cleaner
renewable energy production
APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
4) OTHER NANOTECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS
AGRICULTURE SURFACES/MATERIALS
used for breeding crops with better graphene coatings: extremely strong, very
micronutrients thin
nanotech tools detect pests and control heat-resistant & self-cleaning surfaces
food processing silicon dioxide & titanium dioxide: water-
nanoparticles used to monitor and reduce and stain-resistant coatings for floors,
soil, air, and water contamination benchtops, glass, etc.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
ADDRESSED BY NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology helps address worldwide
problems, including:
ENERGY SUPPLY
sustainable solar cells, energy-harvesting devices
URBANIZATION NEEDS
lighter, stronger materials
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
CNT batteries, sweat-powered patches
DANGERS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
HEALTH IMPACTS
LUNG DAMAGE
inhalation of ultrafine particles
CELL AND DNA DAMAGE
free radical formation, causing cell and DNA damage
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
carbon nanotubes affecting the function of T cells
DANGERS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL NANO-CONTAMINANTS
Sources of nanoparticle pollution:
Mining
metal oxide particles
Combustion
soot, fly ash, fullerenes
Laundry
silver & metal oxide nanoparticles
Medicine
silver & gold nanoparticles
Auto-traffic
platinum & pyrenamine particles
Battery waste
fine carbon particles
DANGERS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
PROBLEMS IN RIKS ASSESSMENT
Difficulties in evaluating risks of nanotechnology:
hard to detect without advanced equipment
unpredictable behavior
dispersed vs. clumped
can adsorb toxic chemicals
unknown persistence in body & environment
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
human enhancement & eugenics concerns
“playing god” with matter/life at nanoscale
safety risks in human testing
possible creation of autonomous/sentient
machines
grey goo scenario (self-replicating nanobots)
REGULATORY & SECURITY ISSUES
weak or nonexistent regulations globally
→
potential for for misuse nano-weapons or
surveillance
uncontrolled commercial release
(cosmetics, clothing)
economic inequality & tech accessibility
issues
MODULE 9
THANK YOU!