Recent EERL Updates on Nano Science and Technology
What is nanoscience and nanotechnology?
The term "Nano" originated from the Greek word "nanos" meaning "dwarf", is a prefix in science denoting one billionth of a unit.
1 nanometre = one billionth of a metre, i.e. 1:1,000,000,000 metre (10-9 m).
It is the size of one small molecule, which is 50,000 times smaller than a human hair. Here are a few illustrative examples:
- There are 25,400,000 nanometers in an inch
- A sheet of newspaper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are the study of the properties of structures having size smaller than hundred nanometers (nm). It is the science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the ability to see and to control individual atoms and molecules. Everything on Earth is made up of atoms—the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the buildings and houses we live in, and our own bodies.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, engineering, medicine and agriculture.
Physicist Richard Feynman was one of the first who considered the possibility of direct manipulation of individual atoms and molecules as a powerful form of futuristic technology. At an American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) on December 29, 1959, he mentioned that, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, long before the term nanotechnology was used. Over a decade later, in his explorations of ultraprecision machining, Professor Norio Taniguchi coined the term “Nanotechnology”. It wasn't until 1981, with the development of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) (invented by Gerd Binnig and Henrich Rohrer) followed by invention of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in 1986 (invented by Gerd Binnig, Calvin Quate and Christoph Gerber) that could observe and manipulate individual atoms and molecules, that modern nanotechnology began. Although atoms were first seen in 1951 by the Field Ion Microscope, it is the compact and simple AFM/STM which made it easy for a large number of scientists from different backgrounds to use it at the nanometer scale effectively. Today Scanning Probe Microscopy (which includes AFM and STM) is available in most post graduate universities and research institutes.
Though electron microscopes were invented in the period 1939 - 1950, they were complicated and were handled only by trained microscopists. The Noble Prize in Physics for achievements in electron optics was given to E. Ruska (R. Binnig and Rohrer in 1986).
Once majority of scientists of different backgrounds (chemistry, biology, mechanical engineering) had the access to the right tools, such as the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM), the age of nanotechnology was born.
Although modern nanoscience and nanotechnology is quite new (15-20 years), nanoscale materials were used for centuries. Small-sized gold and silver particles created colors in the stained glass windows of medieval churches hundreds of years ago. The artists back then just didn’t know that the process they used to create these beautiful works of art actually led to changes in the composition of the materials they were working with.
Today's scientists and engineers are finding a wide variety of ways to deliberately make materials at the nanoscale to take advantage of their enhanced properties such as higher strength, lighter weight, increased control of light spectrum, and greater chemical reactivity than their larger-scale counterparts.
Nanotechnology is an exciting area of scientific development which promises ‘more for less’. It offers ways to create smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster devices that can do more and cleverer things, use less raw materials and consume less energy.
Real-World Examples
There are many examples of the application of nanotechnology from the simple to the complex. For example, there are nano coatings which can repel dirt and reduce the need for harmful cleaning agents, or prevent the spread of hospital-borne infections.
Some examples of the application of nanotechnology are shown below:
- Catalyst composed of manganese oxide nanoparticles for use in removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial air emissions
- Graphene based anodes and cathodes for Li-ion batteries
- Palladium nanoparticle-based hydrogen sensor
- Liquid cleaner using nano.
- Surfactant aggregates (called micelles) to remove oils and dirt
- Nanotube based transparent conductive film for use in applications such as LCD displays and e-paper
- Dirt rinses off in rain, similar to property of the lotus leaf, also known as “lotus effect”. Fabrics enhanced with nanoparticles shows such effect.
- Bottles, cartons and films containing clay nanocomposite that act as a barrier to the passage of gasses or odors.
- Gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drugs to tumors.
- Nanocomposite barrier film Prevents air loss from tennis balls.
Nanotechnology offers opportunities in creating new features and functions. It is already providing the solutions to many long-standing medical, social and environmental problems. Because of its potential, nanotechnology is of global interest. It is attracting more public funding than any other area of technology, estimated at 1 Trillion USD by 2015. It is also the one area of research that is truly multidisciplinary.
The contribution of nanotechnology to new products and processes cannot be made in isolation and requires a team effort. This may include life scientists – biologists and biochemists - working with physicists, chemists and information technology experts. Consider the development of a new cochlear implant and what that might require - at least a physiologist, an electronic engineer, a mechanical engineer and a biomaterials expert. This kind of teamwork is essential, not only for a cochlear implant, but for any new nano-based product whether it is a scratch-resistant lens or a new soap powder.
Who can do research in nanoscience and nanotechnology and become an expert?
In India, nanotechnology can be used to address important problems and issues related to health, water, energy and environment. Low-cost sensors can be developed for the early detection, diagnosis of diseases. Drug delivery to carry out site-specific treatment of different ailments can be carried out using nanoparticle-drug composites. Purification of water can be carried out using nanocomposite filter materials. Nanostructured solar cell and fuel cells can be used for efficient and low cost energy conversion.
“Nano" is used to qualify the science or technology, meaning "on the length scale which in S.I. units is closest to 1 nanometre (10-9 m) ". It includes entities that have at least one dimension in this size range and larger entities exhibiting features in this length scale, or those that can only be understood by reference to phenomena occurring on this length scale. Thus, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology embraces Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry (or Molecular Biology) and medicine, as well as the overlapping fields of Materials Science and Electronic Engineering, amongst others. As a field of study, nanoscience is truly interdisciplinary.
Research in nano science and nanotechnology does not require any basic degree (B.Tech or M.Sc) in Nanoscience or Nanotechnology.
You can do research in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology with any of the following degrees:
- Master’s in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Agricultural Science, Material Science, Pharmaceutical Science and animal sciences.
- B.Tech in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical, Chemical Technology, Chemical Engineering,
- MBBS, BVSC, MVSc etc
- You may have additional degree the M.Tech. in optoelectronics, Nanotechnology, but they are not essential.
Is there anything related to Nanoscience in the “Nano” Car?
No, the name nano is symbolic of small size of car, but there is no nanoscience or nanotechnology other than may be in the paints or coatings or mirrors/glass which is used in several other cars.
Copyright © 2024; All Rights Reserved with, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector - 81, Mohali, Punjab-140306
| Follow us on |    |