Module 10
NANOTECHNOLOGY
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its importance to society;
2. Enumerate the positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology on the environment
and society; and
3. Identify the moral and ethical questions and concerns surrounding nanotechnology.
INTRODUCTION
This section discusses nanotechnology and how the manipulation of matter on a
nanoscale impacts the society. It focuses on both the advantages of nanotechnology.
In the pursuit of science and technology, humans are now dealing more with a world not
seen by naked eye. This is no surprise as the study of science keeps leading us beyond
the world everyday. The information we search for is always available in nature but we
need tools to harvest it. The nano world, like the other scientific principles, provide both
knowledge and instrument to control nature.
Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with the manipulation and
study of matter at the nanoscale. It covers all types of research and technologies that
deal with the special properties of matter on an atomic molecular and supramolecular
scale.
Scientists in the field of chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and
engineering are all involved in studying matter on the nanoscale. Nanotechnology is
“convergent” because it brings together various fields of science through its innovations,
e.g., DNA silicon chips, converging between semiconductor science (inorganic
chemistry) and biology, with applications in the medical industry. It also involves design,
characterization, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by
controlling shapes and sizes at the nanometer scale. This technology is “enabling” in
the sense that it provides the platform and the tools to produce innovations.
To decipher how nanotechnology works, three dimensions must be considered.
The dimension involves tangible objects which include materials, devices, and systems.
The second dimension deals with the passive and static objects i.e., nanoparticles that
have properties different bulk objects, even if they have the same composition; the
active devices, i.e., those that can store information, induce energy, or change their
state; and the nanofacture, which refers to atomically precise manufacturing (APM), i.e.,
collection of instruments and procedures. The third dimension is direct nanotechnology
which refers to materials structured at nanoscale components. This also extends to
indirect nanotechnology, which starts with nanoparticles but can be used in huge
applications i.e., hugely powerful information processors with individual nanoscale
components (Ramsden, 2009).
Applications of Nanotechnology
With scientist and engineers continuously finding ways to make materials at the
nanoscale, more uses of nanotechnology arise.
In medicine, nanotechnology has numerous applications in the development of
more effective drugs. Assisted by the view of molecules afforded by X-ray lasers,
biological mechanisms can be simulated to destroy a cancer cell while it is treated by
drug-bearing nanoparticles. Nanobots, or molecular-scale workers can employ
molecular processes within cells, which 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, among others, with screening
devices using nanotechnology (Maclurcan, 2005).
Water purification systems containing nanomaterials and utilizing new membrane
technologies containing variable pore-sized filters (i.e., the forward-osmosis membrane
technology of Hydration Technologies) are now available (Jadhawar, 2004).
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, thus preventing stains. Detergent molecules self-
assemble into a sphere to form a micelle that allows the detergent to trap oils and fats
within the cavity of the sphere that aids in washing surfaces. Zeolites are silicon oxides
and aluminum oxides that have specific nano-porous cage-like structures that are used
as molecular sieves.
In agriculture, novel techniques of nanotechnology applications are applied to
breed crops with higher levels of micronutrients to detect pets and to control food
processing (Heckman, 2005). Ultrasmall probes on earth surfaces for agricultural
applications and control of soil, air, and water contamination are also developed using
nanotechnology (Zhang et al., 2011).
A simple, cheap, and effective way of removing arsenic in soil and water is
through the use of TiO2 nanoparticles. (Pena et al., 2005). A nanotechnology-inspired
detector from Washington, which can sense the smallest amount of radiation, located a
nuclear leak faster and more accurately at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
(Zhang et al., 2011). Chlorinated compounds (i.e., chlorinated solvents and pesticides,
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). Silver (Ag)
has long been enhanced with the discovery that the bactericidal properties of Ag
nanoparticles (1-100nm) are dependent on both their size and shape.
Bio nanotechnology can support cleaner production methods and provide
alternative and renewable energy sources to enhance the sustainability of factories
(Colvin, 2003). Nanotechnology helps in energy consumption like in the use of
grapheme 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 yet they increase the rate of chemical reactions, thus lessening the input of raw
materials (Zhang et al., 2011).
In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in making sources of
renewable energy accessible to many, developing medicine that would address serious
diseases, improving the state of agriculture, and more. There are also existing and
ongoing research studies funded by the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) on the possible application of technology, as well as on Nano-Metrology and
Education and Public Awareness.
Challenges of Nanotechnology
The advantages brought by innovations in nanotechnology come with a price.
With rapid developments in nanotechnology, its adverse effects become more visible.
The environmental effect of mineral-based nanoparticles found in cosmetics,
paints, clothing, and other products are questioned as they go through sewerage
treatment plants untreated due to their undetectable size. They can be carried down by
fine silts or microplastics with inorganic and organic pollutants. Thus, these may affect
water source (Biercuk, 2011). For instance, in the 1980’s a semiconductor palnt
contaminated the ground water Silicon Valley, California (Zhang et al., 2011).
Carbon nanotubes in manufacture of memory storage, electronics, batteries, etc.
were found to have unknown harmful impacts to the human body by inhalation into
lungs comparable to asbestos fiber 11. A pulmonary toxicological evaluation of single-
wall carbon nanotubes indicated that it is more toxic than carbon black and quartz.
Due to its size, a nanoparticle is not easy to analyze. 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 relies heavily on information about its chemical structure since minor
changes in its chemical function group could drastically change its properties. Point-to-
point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology should then be conducted to
ensure the safety to human health and environment. 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). This is
which is quite expensive due to the difficulty of detecting nanoparticles.
Ethical Dilemmas of Nanotechnology
With the identified potential hazards that nanoparticles can bring to human health
and the environment, should people disregard the benefits that nanotechnology provide
them?
Issues raised regarding nanotechnology should be further studied, and
nanotechnology methods should be modified. For example, altering the compositions of
graphene, known to be one of the most advanced materials for structural improvement,
replacing silicon in electronic devices, and thermal transferring nanomaterials can be
done to diminish environmental hazards of nanotechnology. Some studies also found
microorganisms that can decompose grapheme to make it less toxic for the
environment (Zhang et al., 2011).
It is imperative, therefore, that experts and governments support themselves with
enough knowledge on how nanomaterials work for the benefit of the society.