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LESSON #2
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Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a. discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and
Its importance to society;
b. Enumerate the positive and negative impacts of
Nanotechnology on the environment and society; and
c. identify the moral and ethical questions and concerns
surrounding nanotechnology.
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THE NANO
WORLD
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Nano World
Operating within the expansive and rapidly evolving
sphere of influence of nanotechnology, Nano World
plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific research
and industrial applications. Nanotechnology
encompasses the manipulation and control of
matter at the atomic and molecular scale, leading to
innovations across various fields such as electronics,
medicine, materials science, and energy.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
In 1959, the foundation of nanoscience was laid by the
renowned physicist Richard Feynman during his visionary talk
"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." In this
groundbreaking lecture, Feynman explored the revolutionary
idea of manipulating individual atoms and molecules directly
to build materials and devices at an incredibly small scale.
This concept not only sparked the imagination of scientists
but also set the stage for the development of nanotechnology
as a distinct scientific discipline.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
In 1960, significant progress was made by Egyptian engineer
Mohamed Atalla and Korean engineer Dawon Kahng at Bell
Labs, who fabricated the first metal-oxide-semiconductor
field-effect transistor (MOSFET). This device featured a gate
oxide thickness of 100 nanometers and a gate length of 20
micrometers, marking a critical advancement in
semiconductor technology. The MOSFET became the
fundamental building block of modern electronic devices,
enabling the miniaturization and increased performance of
integrated circuits.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
The term "nano-technology" was first coined by Norio
Taniguchi in 1974. He used it to describe precision
manufacturing processes on the scale of nanometers, which
are one billionth of a meter, highlighting the potential for
manipulating materials at an incredibly small scale.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
In 1986, K. Eric Drexler popularized the term
"nanotechnology" in his groundbreaking book Engines of
Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. Drexler
introduced the visionary concept of a nanoscale
"assembler"—a molecular machine capable of building copies
of itself and other complex structures with atomic precision.
This idea laid the foundation for the field of molecular
nanotechnology, emphasizing the possibility of atom-by-atom
construction.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
The emergence of nanotechnology as a distinct scientific and
engineering field began around 1980, driven by the
convergence of Drexler's theoretical work and growing public
interest. This period marked the transition from speculative
ideas to more concrete research and development efforts
focused on nanoscale phenomena.
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ORIGIN OF NANOSCIENCE
In 1986, to further promote awareness and understanding of
nanotechnology's potential and implications, Drexler co-
founded The Foresight Institute. This organization aimed to
foster dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and the public
about the ethical, social, and technological impacts of
nanotechnology, helping to shape its responsible
development.
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NANOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Nanoscience is a branch of science dedicated to studying and
understanding systems at the nanometre scale, which
involves dimensions typically between 1 and 100 nanometres.
This scale is incredibly small—about 1,000 times smaller than
the width of a human hair.
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NANOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The field of nanotechnology applies this knowledge to design
and create new materials, devices, and systems with novel
functionalities. These innovations have significant impacts
across various industries, including medicine, electronics,
energy, and materials science.
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NANOMETER
A nanometer (nm) is a unit of
spatial measurement equal
to one billionth of a meter, or
10⁻⁹ meters. This incredibly
small scale allows scientists
and engineers to measure
and manipulate structures at
the atomic and molecular
levels.
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TYPES OF MICROSCOPES USED IN
NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
Atomic Force Microscope
(AFM): Uses a mechanical probe
to scan surfaces with atomic
precision, enabling 3D surface
profiling and measurement of
mechanical properties
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TYPES OF MICROSCOPES USED IN
NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
Scanning Tunneling Microscope
(STM): Employs quantum
tunneling of electrons between
a sharp tip and the sample to
image surfaces at the atomic
scale, crucial for studying
conductive material
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POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Health and Medicine: Nanotechnology offers promising
advancements in diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and
regenerative medicine. It can lead to more effective
treatments with fewer side effects, early disease detection,
and innovative medical devices tailored to individual patient
needs.
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POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Energy: Nanotechnology can enhance energy production
and storage by improving the efficiency of solar cells,
batteries, and fuel cells. This supports the Philippines' goals
for sustainable and renewable energy sources, reducing
dependence on fossil fuels.
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POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Food and Agriculture: Nanotechnology applications include
improving crop yields through nano-fertilizers and
pesticides, enhancing food safety with nano-sensors, and
extending shelf life by developing better packaging
materials. These innovations can boost food security and
agricultural productivity.
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POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Environment: Nanotechnology can contribute to
environmental protection by enabling advanced water
purification systems, pollution control technologies, and
waste management solutions. These applications help
address critical environmental challenges faced by the
Philippines, such as water scarcity and pollution.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Information and Communication Technologies and
Semiconductors
• Focuses on advancing nano-enabled devices and
materials to improve computing power, data storage, and
communication networks. This includes developing
smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient
semiconductors that can drive innovation in electronics
and telecommunications.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Health and Biomedical
• Encompasses the development of nanotechnology
applications for diagnostics, targeted drug delivery,
regenerative medicine, and personalized healthcare.
These innovations aim to improve disease detection,
treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Energy
• Involves creating nanomaterials and systems to enhance
energy generation, storage, and efficiency. This includes
solar cells with higher conversion rates, better batteries,
and catalysts for cleaner fuel production, contributing to
sustainable energy solutions.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Agriculture and Food
• Applies nanotechnology to improve crop yield, pest
control, food safety, and packaging. Nanomaterials can
help monitor soil health, deliver nutrients more
effectively, and extend the shelf life of food products.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Environment
• Focuses on using nanotech for pollution detection, water
purification, and environmental remediation.
Nanomaterials can help remove contaminants from air,
water, and soil, supporting ecosystem health and
sustainability.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Health and Environmental Risk
• Addresses the assessment and management of potential
risks associated with nanomaterials. This includes
studying their toxicity, environmental impact, and
establishing safety guidelines to ensure responsible
development and use.
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NANOTECH ROADMAP FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Education and Public Awareness
• Emphasizes the importance of educating scientists,
policymakers, and the public about nanotechnology.
Raising awareness helps foster informed decision-
making, ethical considerations, and support for nanotech
initiatives.
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TOP FIVE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY BY UNESCO
1. Health Monitoring Wearable -nanosensors and diagnostic
devices enable continuous monitoring of vital signs and
health conditions, allowing for proactive healthcare
management and personalized treatment.
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TOP TEN USES AND APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY BY UNESCO
2. Disease Diagnosis and Screening -Nanoscale sensors and
imaging agents improve the sensitivity and accuracy of
detecting diseases at early stages, facilitating timely
intervention and better patient outcomes.
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TOP TEN USES AND APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY BY UNESCO
3. Drug Delivery Systems- Nanocarriers enable targeted
delivery of drugs to specific cells or tissues, enhancing
therapeutic effectiveness while reducing side effects and
improving patient compliance.
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TOP TEN USES AND APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY BY UNESCO
4. Food Processing and Storage- Nanotechnology helps in
developing packaging materials that extend shelf life, detect
spoilage, and improve food safety, as well as enhancing food
texture and nutrient delivery.
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TOP TEN USES AND APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY BY UNESCO
5. Construction Incorporating -nanomaterials into
construction materials improves strength, durability, and
resistance to environmental damage, leading to longer-
lasting and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.
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EXAMPLES OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WITH
NANOSTRUCTURES
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EXAMPLES OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WITH
NANOSTRUCTURES
Solar Panels- Using a Gratzel cell, which uses a layer of
material coated with highly porous titanium dioxide
nanoparticles as its surface material rather than silicon, is
less expensive to produce and allows cells to collect sunlight
over a larger surface area.
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EXAMPLES OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WITH
NANOSTRUCTURES
Magnetic random access memory- computers will be able to
boot almost instantly. MRAM is enabled by nanometer scale
magnetic tunnel junctions and can quickly and effectively
save data during a system shutdown.
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EXAMPLES OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WITH
NANOSTRUCTURES
Transistors- the basic switched that enable all modern
computing transistors make excellent electronic switches.
They can turn currents on and off billions of times per
second
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THANK YOU!
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