et

International Journal on Emerging Technologies (Special Issue on ICRIET-2016) 7(2): 377-385(2016)

ISSN No. (Print) : 0975-8364

ISSN No. (Online) : 2249-3255

Recent Trends in Nanotechnology and its Future Scope -A Review

Prof. Vijaykumar. G. Tile, H.S. Suraj, B.M. Uday and S.G. Sahana
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan-573202, Karnataka.
(Corresponding author: Prof. Vijaykumar. G. Tile)
(Received 28 September, 2016 Accepted 29 October, 2016)
(Published by Research Trend, Website: www.researchtrend.net)
ABSTRACT: Nanotechnology has generated a great deal of excitement world-wide and is being cited as the
key technology of the 21st century. Nanotechnology is an engineering of functional systems at the molecular
level, covers a broad range of topics and is focused on controlling and exploiting the structure of matter on a
large scale below 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology is the future of advanced development. It is everything
today from clothes to foods there are every sector in its range we should promote it more for our future and
for more developments in our current life. In this paper we have discussed the concept of Nanotechnology
along with its history, applications, risks and development of nanotechnology in India.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Nanomaterials, Nano-biotechnology, Meta-materials, Magneto rheological fluid.
for observing, manipulating and measuring events at
I. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
this scale are developed, further advances in our
Manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular and understanding and ability will occur.
supramolecular scale,with atleast one dimension sized Currently, scientists find two nano-size structures of
from 1 to 100 nm. particular interest: nanowires and carbon nanotubes.
Nanowires are wires with a very small diameter,
II. HISTORY OF NANOTECHNOLOGY sometimes as small as 1 nanometer. Scientists hope to
The history of nanotechnology traces the development use them to build tiny transistors for computer chips
of the cocepts and expiremental work falling under the and other electronic devices. In the last couple of years,
broad category of nanotechnology. The emergence of carbon nanotubes have overshadowed nanowires. We're
nanotechnology in 1980’s was caused by the still learning about these structures, but what we've
convergence of experimental advances such as the learned so far is very exciting.
invention of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 A carbon nanotube is a nano-size cylinder of carbon
and the discovery of fullerenes in 1985 , In the early atoms. Imagine a sheet of carbon atoms, which would
2000’s commercial application of nanotechnology were look like a sheet of hexagons. If you roll that sheet into
grown . a tube, you'd have a carbon nanotube. Carbon nanotube
properties depend on how you roll the sheet. In other
III. THE PRESENT NANOTECHNOLOGY words, even though all carbon nanotubes are made of
It seems that nanotechnology has begun to blossom in carbon, they can be very different from one another
the last ten years, this is largely due to the development based on how you align the individual atoms.
of new instruments that allow researchers to observe
and manipulate matter at the nanolevel. Technologies
such as scanning tunneling microscopy, magnetic force
microscopy, and electron microscopy allow scientists to
observe events at the atomic level. At the same time,
economic pressures in the electronics industry have
forced the development of new lithographic techniques
that continue the steady reduction in feature size and
cost. Just as Galileo’s knowledge was limited by the
technology of his day, until recently a lack of good
instrumentation prevented scientists from gaining more
knowledge of the nanoscale. As better instrumentation
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 378
construction material could sense when the material is
under strain and release an epoxy that repairs any
rupture. Or a layer of nanomaterial might respond to the
presence of sunlight by emitting an electrical charge to
power an appliance. Products in this phase require a
greater understanding of how the structure of a
nanomaterial determines its properties and a
corresponding ability to design unique materials. They
also raise more advanced manufacturing and
deployment challenges.
Fig. 1. Carbon nanotubes. C. Systems of Nanosystems
In this stage assemblies of nanotools work together to
achieve a final goal. A key challenge is to get the main
components to work together within a network,
possibly exchanging information in the process.
Proteins or viruses might assemble small batteries.
Nanostructures could self-assemble into a lattice on
which bone or other tissues could grow. Smart dust
strewn over an area could sense the presence of human
beings and communicate their location. Small
nanoelectro mechancial devices could search out cancer
cells and turn off their reproductive capacity. At this
stage significant advancements in robotics,
Fig. 2. Structure of graphene.
biotechnology, and new generation information
One leader in nanotechnology policy has identified four technology will begin to appear in products.
distinct generations in the development of
nanotechnology products, to which we can add a IV. NANOMATERIALS
possible fifth. A. Nanoceramic Powders
– Nanoceramic powders constitute an important
A. Passive Nanostructures
segment of the whole nanostructured materials.
During the first period products will take advantage of
– Constitute more than 50% of the total nanostructured
the passive properties of nanomaterials, including
materials.
nanotubes and nanolayers. For example, titanium
dioxide is often used in sunscreens because it absorbs B. Nanotubes
and reflects ultraviolet light. When broken down into – Conductors or semiconductors
nanoparticles it becomes transparent to visible light, – Strong materials with good thermal conductivity
eliminating the white cream appearance associated with
traditional sunscreens. Carbon nanotubes are much C. Nanocomposites
stronger than steel but only a fraction of the weight. – Generally polymer based with nanosized fillers
Tennis rackets containing them promise to deliver • Nanoceramics are available commercially in the form
greater stiffness without additional weight. As a third of dry powders or liquid dispersions.
example, yarn that is coated with a nanolayer of • The most commercially important nanoceramic
material can be woven into stain-resistant clothing. materials are simple metal oxides, silica (SiO2), titania
Each of these products takes advantage of the unique (TiO2), alumina (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe3O4, Fe2O3),
property of a material when it is manufactured at a zinc oxide (ZnO), ceria (CeO2) and zircona (ZrO2).
nanoscale. However, in each case the nanomaterial • Silica and iron oxide nanoparticles have a commercial
itself remains static once it is encapsulated into the history spanning half a century or more
product. • Of increasing importance are the mixed oxides and
titanates
B. Active Nanostructures – indium-tin oxide (In2O3-SnO2 or ITO)
Active nanostructures change their state during use, – antimony-tin oxide (ATO),
responding in predicable ways to the environment – barium titanate (BaTiO3).
around them. Nanoparticles might seek out cancer cells • Nanocrystalline titania, zinc oxide, ceria, ITO, and
and then release an attached drug. A other oxides have more recently entered the
nanoelectromechancial device embedded into marketplace.
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 379
V. APPLICATIONS Needles. Nanocoated needles are now available for
very fine suturing in demanding applications .Such
Nanotechnology, being an interdisciplinary field, has
needles have good ductility, exceptional strength and
three main extensively overlapping areas:
corrosion resistance.
Nanoelectronics, nanomaterials and nanobiotechnology
Catheters for minimally invasive surgery.
which find applications in materials, electronics,
Nanomaterials, e.g. carbon nanotubes, have been
environment, metrology, energy, security, robotics,
successfully added to catheters used in minimally
healthcare, information technology, biomimetics,
invasive surgery to increase their strength and
pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture,
flexibility and reduce their thrombogenic effect.
construction, transport, and food processing and
In-vitro Diagnostics. The area of in-vitro diagnostic
storage.
medical devices is one of great growth and potential for
A. Nanobiotechnology nanotechnology. The development of micro- and nano-
Drug delivery fluidic systems allows for the use of tiny mounts of
New formulations for drug and gene therapies analyte and the degree of miniaturisation possible will
Tissue engineering allow for the development of true “lab-on-a-chip”
Reproduction and repair of damaged tissues using devices capable of simultaneously carrying out dozens,
nanomaterial based scaffolds. or even hundreds, of analyses in virtually real time.
Linked to other devices, this will allow for continuous
B. Nanotechnology and medical applications monitoring of the patient’s condition and variations in
Development of newer drug delivery systems based on treatment, e.g. drug delivery, to take account of the
nanotechnology methods is being tried for conditions patient’s actual needs.
like cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, viral infections
and in gene therapy. The main advantages of this
modality of treatment are targeting of the drug and
enhanced safety profile. Nanotechnology has also found
its use in diagnostic medicine as contrast agents,
fluorescent dyes and magnetic nanoparticles.
Carbon-based Nanomaterials such as Carbon
Nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are essentially elongated
molecules, formed entirely from carbon atoms. The
property currently under research is their ability to
elongate or contract in suitable electrolytes under very
low voltages which may render them very useful as
actuators or sensors in a variety of medical devices.
Other potentially valuable characteristics are their
possible use as sensors, e.g. for CO2 monitoring in Fig. 3. Gold nanoparticle, coated with antibodies and
anaesthesiology. which fluoresce and heat up, can track and destroy
Nanowires. Nanowires differ from nanotubes in that cancer cells.
they have no inner cavity. Semiconducting silicon-
based nanowires are showing promise for the detection Optical Nanosurgery. Nanotechnological tools such as
of viruses in solution and their capabilities in such “optical tweezers” and “nanoscissors” can be used at
applications may exceed those of other methods. the cellular level for cell manipulation and
Nanoporous Materials. Nanoporous materials, e.g. of immobilisation. Essentially these devices use the forces
carbon-, silicon-, ceramic- or polymer-based materials, arising from the momentum of, for example, laser light
with holes in the region of 100nm have greatly at particular tuned wavelengths to precisely reposition
increased surface area and can have extremely useful minute objects by steering the laser beam. This opens
catalytic, adsorbent and absorbent properties. These up the possibility of medical or surgical procedures at
may have valuable applications in implant technology the cellular level.
or in drug delivery. C. Applications in electronics
Nanocoated surgical blades. By means of The semiconductor industry has been able to improve
nanoparticulate coatings onto specially prepared hard the performance of electronic systems for more than
metal substrates,e.g. plasma polished diamond four decades by downscaling silicon-based devices but
nanolayers, it is possible to manufacture surgical blades this approach will soon encounter its physical and
of extreme sharpness and low friction that are highly technical limits.
suited to optical- and neurosurgery.
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 380
This fact, together with increasing requirements for such as the non-volatile nano-electro-mechanical
performance, functionality, cost, and portability have memory, where information is transferred and stored
been driven the microelectronics industry towards the through a series of electrical and mechanical actions at
nano world and the search for alternative materials to the nanoscale.
replace silicon. Carbon nanomaterials such as one- Spintronics. Similar to electrical charge, spin is
dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and two- another fundamental property of matter. While
dimensional (2D) graphene have emerged as promising conventional electronic devices rely on the transport of
options due to their superior electrical properties which electrical charge carriers, the emerging technology of
allow for fabrication of faster and more power-efficient spintronics employs the spin of electrons to encode and
electronics. transfer information. Spintronics has the potential to
Graphene transistor. In 2004, it was shown for the deliver nanoscale memory and logic devices which
first time that a single sheet of carbon atoms packed in process information faster, consume less power, and
a honeycomb crystal lattice can be isolated from store more data in less space. The extension of the hard
graphite and is stable at room temperature. The new disk capacities to the gigabyte and the terabyte ranges
nanomaterial, which is called graphene, allows was the main achievement of spintronics by taking
electrons to move at an extraordinarily high speed. This advantage of Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) and
property, together with its intrinsic nature of being one- Tunnel Magneto-Resistance (TMR) effects which are
atom-thick, can be exploited to fabricate field-effect effective only at the nano scale.
transistors that are faster and smaller.
Carbon nanotube electronics. When a layer of
graphene is rolled into a tube, a single-walled carbon
nanotube (SWNT) is formed. Consequently, SWNTs
inherit the attractive electronic properties of graphene
but their cylindrical structure makes them a more
readily available option for forming the channel in
field-effect transistors. Such transistors possess an
electron mobility superior to their silicon-based
counterpart and allow for larger current densities while
dissipating the heat generated from their operation more
efficiently. During the last decade, carbon nanotube- Fig. 4. Trend of nanotechnology in electronic field.
based devices have advanced beyond single transistors
to include more complex systems such as logic gates
and radio-frequency components.
Carbon-based nanosensors. In addition to the
exceptional electrical properties of graphene and carbon
nanotubes, their excellent thermal conductivity, high
mechanical robustness, and very large surface to
volume ratio make them superior materials for
fabrication of electromechanical and electrochemical Fig. 5. Bond length of carbon in graphene.
sensors with higher sensitivities, lower limits of
D. Nanotechnology in Paints and Coatings
detection, and faster response time. A good example is
Paints & coating industry is growing day by day around
the carbon nanotube-based mass sensor that can detect
the globe. Nanotechnology in paint and coatings
changes in mass caused by a single gold atom
promises to fulfill all desire properties. New paint
adsorbing on its surface.
technology fights bacterial and fungal growth with
Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems (NEMS). All
Nano scale silver. Silver Nanoparticles in wall paint
electronic tools have one thing in common: an
prevent the formation of mould inside buildings and the
integrated circuit (IC) acting as their “brain”. Nano-
growth of algae on outside walls. Silver interferes with
electro-mechanical systems have evolved during the
various stages of cell metabolism; it can destroy a wide
last 10 years to make this dream come true by creating
range of germs and make it difficult for microbes to
sensors and actuators at the same scale as the
develop resistance. Nanoparticles are so small that they
accompanying nanoelectronics. Recent developments in
can ‘organize themselves’ closely enough and bond
synthesis of nanomaterials with excellent electrical and
together to form a ‘molecularly’ sealed surface.
mechanical properties have extended the boundaries of
NEMS applications to include more advanced devices
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 381
The appearance and usefulness of nanoparticles brings transformation of substrates. There are different types
many advantages like better surface appearance, good of nanomaterial’s which are used as a catalysts e.g.
chemical resistance, easy to clean, anti-fogging, anti- metals or metal oxide & sulfides or silicates. The
fouling, anti-reflective, anti-fingerprints, scratch activity of catalyst can also be described by the turn
resistance, UV resistance, hydrophobic & oil repellent over number (TON) and the catalytic efficiency by the
in nature, fire resistant, high performance coating, self- turn over frequency (TOF). The TON is the number of
cleaning etc. reactant molecules that 1 g of catalyst can convert into
products. There are two types of catalyst:
E. Nanotechnology in Textiles and Clothing
heterogeneous catalysis & homogeneous catalysis.
The wave of nanotechnology has shown a huge
Heterogeneous catalysts act in a different phase than the
potential in the textile and clothing industry which is
reactants whereas homogeneous catalysts function acts
normally very traditional. The first work on
in the same phase as the reactants.
nanotechnology in textiles was undertaken by Nano-
Tex, a subsidiary of the US-based Burlington H. Military applications
Industries. Coating is a common technique used to Nanotechnology research in the following areas can
apply Nano-particles onto textiles. Nanoparticles have a help the military:
large surface area-to-volume ratio and high surface • Fabrics/Materials
energy due to which nanotechnology can provide high -Armor
durability for fabrics. The future success of • Robotics
nanotechnology in textile applications lies in areas • Security
where new functionalities are combined into durable, • Weapons
multifunctional textile systems without compromising -Detection
the inherent favorable textile properties, including -Defense
process ability, flexibility, wash ability and softness. • Vehicles
The use of nanotechnology allows textiles to become -Fuel economy
multifunctional and produce fabrics with special -Soldier protection
functions, including antibacterial, UV-protection, easy • Military personnel health
clean, water & stain repellent and anti-odor. -Medicine
-Diagnosis
F. Nanotechnology in Food Science
Waterproof and Bullet-proof Vests. One of the first
Complex set of engineering and scientific challenges in
advancements that came out of the center was
the food and bioprocessing industry for manufacturing
developed by Prof. Karen Gleason. She and her
high quality and safe food through efficient and
researchers were able to create ultrahydrophobic
sustainable means can be solved through
surfaces (waterproof) using a technique called chemical
nanotechnology. Nanotechnology may be used in
vapor deposition (CVD). With CVD they could deposit
agriculture and food production in the form of Nano
nanolayers of Teflon (yes, the same stuff that’s on your
sensors for monitoring crop growth and pest control by
frying pan) on Kevlar panels, the material used to make
early identification of plant diseases. These Nano
bullet-proof vests.
sensors can help enhance production and improve food
safety. Bacteria identification and food quality
monitoring using biosensors; intelligent, active and
smart food packaging systems; Nano capsulation of
bioactive food compounds are few examples. A Nano
composite coating process could improve food
packaging by placing anti-microbial agents directly on
the surface of the coated film. They can also improve
the mechanical and heat-resistance properties and lower
the oxygen transmission rate. Fig. 6. Water proof vest.
G. Nanotechnology in Catalysis Magneto rheological Fluid (MR Fluid). Magneto
Catalysis is the essential application of metal rheological fluid is a fluid where colloidal ferrofluids
nanoparticles. As catalysts, nanomaterials show a great experience a body force on the entire material that is
potential because of the large surface area of the portion to the magnetic field strength (Ashour, Rogers
particles. Many chemists suggest that metal colloids are & Kordonsky, 1996). This allows the status of the fluid
very efficient catalysts because of a great ratio of atoms to change reversibly from liquid to solid state.
remaining at the surface, and so available to chemical
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 382
Thus, the fluid becomes intelligently controllable using Nanotechnology has the potential to treat various forms
the magnetic field. MR fluid consists of a basic fluid, of cancer by targeting only the cancer cells.
ferro magnetic particle and stabilizing additives .The
B. Complex materials—a super-adhesive
ferro magnetic particles are typically 20 to 50 micro
The gecko’s ability to stick to surfaces and walk up
meter in diameter where as in the presence of magnetic
walls with ease has led researchers to design materials
field , the particles align and form linear chains parallel
that can mimic the microscopic elastic hairs that line
to the field . Response times 21 that requires
this animal’s feet. Using carbon nanotubes, Liangti Qu
impressively low voltages are being developed.
and colleagues at the University of Dayton (Ohio) have
Recently, as shown the ability of MR fluids to handle
created a material that has an adhesive force about 10
impulse loads and an adaptable fixing for blast resistant
times stronger than that of a gecko’s foot. These carbon
and structural membranes. For military applications, the
nanotube materials have a much stronger adhesion
strength of the armor will depend on the composition of
force parallel to the surface they are on than that
the fluid. Researchers propose wiring the armor with
perpendicular to the surface. The result is a material
tiny circuits. While current is applied through the wires,
that can be used to attach a heavy weight to a vertical
the armor would stiffen, and while the current is turned
surface, and yet be peeled off with ease. And just as a
off, the armor would revert to its liquid, flexible state.
gecko is able to walk up vertical surfaces with ease, the
Depending on the type of particles used, a variety of
material opens up the possibility of creating clothing
armor technology can be developed to adapt for soldiers
that will enable humans to achieve the same feat.
in different types of battle condition. Nanotechnology
could increase the agility of soldiers. This could be C. Metamaterials - controlling the flow of light
accomplished by increasing the mechanical properties A whole new field of scientific research, called
as well as the flexibility for battle suit technology. transformation optics, has been made possible by the
ability of nanotechnology to create new materials that
bend light “in an almost arbitrary way,” making
possible “applications that had been previously
considered impossible”. These applications include an
“electromagnetic cloak” that bends light around itself,
thereby making invisible both the cloak and an object
hidden inside; and a “hyperlens” that could be added to
conventional microscopes allowing them to be used to
see down to the nanoscale and thus to see viruses and
possibly DNA molecules.
D. Energy generation and use
New generations of nano-based sensors, catalysts and
materials have already resulted in major reductions in
energy use, and further progress is certain. The
ConocoPhillips oil company recently awarded a three-
year, $1.2 million grant to the University of Kansas to
research the use of nanotechnology to enhance oil
recovery catalyst. Nanoscales and nanoporous
Fig. 7. Allignement of rheological fluid under magnetic
membranes are, under some circumstances, being used
field.
to facilitate production of biomass fuel. Energy
VI. PRODUCTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY transmission could potentially be made much more
efficient by using engineered nanomaterials.
A. Smart drugs—cancer treatments Throughout the renewable-energy sector,
A good deal of research, involving a variety of different nanotechnology has the potential to increase process
nanotechnologies, is being devoted to cancer detection efficiencies and process yields, decrease costs and
and cure. One of the main goals of using enable energy processes that would not be attainable
nanotechnology for medical purposes is to create any other way. Nanotechnology is transforming
devices that can function inside the body and serve as photovoltaic cells through the development of new and
drug delivery systems with specific targets. Current less expensive manufacturing techniques and new
treatments for cancer using radiation and chemotherapy methods of generating high-surface-area structures,
are invasive and produce debilitating side effects. These optimizing sensitivity and increasing the spectral
treatments kill both cancerous and healthy cells. absorbency of the cells.
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 383
Other applications in the renewable-energy sector laboratories. At this stage a single product will integrate
include using nanoscale surface properties and novel a wide variety of capacities including independent
nanofabrication techniques to increase production of power generation, information processing and
electricity in hydrogen fuel cells. Most renewable- communication, and mechanical operation. Its
energy technologies can be made more efficient using manufacture implies the ability to rearrange the basic
various forms of nanotechnology, at least at the building blocks of matter and life to accomplish
laboratory scale. specific purposes. Nanoproducts regularly applied to a
field might search out and transform hazardous
materials and mix a specified amount of oxygen into
the soil. Nanodevices could roam the body, fixing the
DNA of damaged cells, monitoring vital conditions and
displaying data in a readable form on skin cells in a
form similar to a tattoo. Computers might operate by
reading the brain waves of the operator.
B. The Singularity (2020 and beyond)
Every exponential curve eventually reaches a point
where the growth rate becomes almost infinite. This
point is often called the Singularity. If technology
Fig. 8. Products of nanotechnology continues to advance at exponential rates, what happens
after 2020? Technology is likely to continue, but at this
VII. FUTURE SCOPE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY stage some observers forecast a period at which
Predicting the future of any major technology is scientific advances aggressively assume their own
difficult. On the one hand, there often is a tendency to momentum and accelerate at unprecedented levels,
underestimate the impact of a technology and the pace enabling products that today seem like science fiction.
of its development. Nanotechnology development Beyond the Singularity, human society is incomparably
already is outpacing the predictions made when the different from what it is today. Several assumptions
NNI (National Nanotechnology Initiative) was created seem to drive predictions of a Singularity. The first is
in 2000. At that time, the focus was on the impact nano that continued material demands and competitive
might have in 20–30 years . Now, the analysis firm Lux pressures will continue to drive technology forward.
Research predicts that by 2015 nano will be Second, at some point artificial intelligence advances to
incorporated in $3.1 trillion of manufactured goods a point where computers enhance and accelerate
worldwide and will account for 11 percent of scientific discovery and technological change. In other
manufacturing jobs globally. words, intelligent machines start to produce discoveries
that are too complex for humans. Finally, there is an
A. Molecular Nanosystems (2015-2020) assumption that solutions to most of today’s problems
This stage involves the intelligent design of molecular including material scarcity, human health, and
and atomic devices, leading to “unprecedented environmental degradation can be solved by
understanding and control over the basic building technology, if not by us, then by the computers we
blocks of all natural and man-made things.” Although eventually develop.
the line between this stage and the last blurs, what Whether or not one believes in the Singularity, it is
seems to distinguish products introduced here is that difficult to overestimate nanotechnology’s likely
matter is crafted at the molecular and even atomic level implications for society. For one thing, advances in just
to take advantage of the specific nanoscale properties of the last five years have proceeded much faster than
different elements. Research will occur on the even the best experts had predicted. Looking forward,
interaction between light and matter, the machine- science is likely to continue outrunning expectations, at
human interface, and atomic manipulation to design least in the mediumterm. Although science may
molecules. Among the examples that Dr. Roco foresees advance rapidly, technology and daily life are likely to
are “multifunctional molecules, catalysts for synthesis change at a much slower pace for several reasons. First,
and controlling of engineered nanostructures, it takes time for scientific discoveries to become
subcellular interventions, and biomimetics for complex embedded into new products, especially when the
system dynamics and control.” Since the path from market for those products is uncertain. Second, both
initial discovery to product application takes 10-12 individuals and institutions can exhibit a great deal of
years,the initial scientific foundations for these resistance to change.
technologies are already starting to emerge from
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 384
Because new technology often requires significant partnerships are largely being directed by national
organizational change and cost in order to have its full policy making agencies.
effect, this can delay the social impact of new Several government departments and agencies, such as
discoveries. For example, computer technology did not the DST, DBT, DIT, CSIR, ICMR, DAE, DRDO and
have a noticeable effect on economic productivity until MNRE, have been supporting nanoscience and
it became widely integrated into business offices and, technology in different spheres and capacities. These
ultimately, business processes. It took firms over a initiatives have been growing not only at a central level
decade to go from replacing the typewriters in their but state levels as well, with states like Karnataka,
office pools to rearranging their entire supply chains to Tamilnadu, Haryana adopting a very proactive
take advantage of the Internet. Although some firms approach. Overall, the support provided by the
adopted new technologies rapidly, others, lagged far government for nanoscience and nanotechnology has
behind. been characterized by emphasis on fundamental
research, some support for development of applications,
VIII. RISKS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY
multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, scant
Nanoparticles are believed to present the greater risk emphasis on risk related research of nanotechnology,
because: in certain instances of multiplicity and overlapping
-They are relatively cheap and can be manufactured in R&D focus.
large quantities One of the biggest challenges has been in terms of the
-They are already used in consumer products interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology per se and
-Their properties can be very different to the larger the scope of its applications. These characteristics and
forms of the material they are made from the optimism regarding potential application of
-They can be highly reactive nanotechnology in a whole range of spheres, has to an
-The particles often have unknown toxicity extent lead to significant overlaps in the areas for R&D
-Their toxicity can be difficult to quantify support identified by different agencies. For instance in
-They can disperse easily in air or water health, a strong engagement of agencies like DST,
The importance of nanoparticles being considered as DBT, and ICMR as well as the involvement of others
the most potentially hazardous type may change in the like CSIR and even DRDO has been present. This may
future as other forms of nanotechnology become more result in duplicative R&D efforts and a waste of
common and nanoparticles become better understood. financial and human resources in this already cost
Initial investigations carried out how some intensive domain. Other related challenges are in the
nanoparticles are acutely toxic when compared to larger form of lack of coordination, information flow,
particles composed of the same material, such as ultra- overlapping mandates and jurisdictions. An inadequate
fine carbon and diesel exhaust particles respectively. flow of information between policy makers and the
Certain organs in mice have been shown to be scientific population as well as amongst policy makers
adversely affected by some nanoparticles as well as acts as a barrier in developing real capacity due to
significantly reduced offspring production in some inability to leverage existing capacity, expertise and
aquatic life. If these effects are caused in other animals initiatives.
they may be possible in humans, though there have Recently launched Nanoscience and technology
been no human studies to confirm this. There are mission specifies that one of its aims is to develop
several ways that nanoparticles can enter the body. applications that serve sectors like health, water and
These include inhalation, ingestion, absorption through agriculture. Indeed public funded projects have been
the skin and direct injection for medicinal purposes. instrumental in developing nanomaterial based water
Once the particles are in the body they may be filters (IIT Chennai, ARCI) as well as diagnostic kits
transported throughout the body before they are ejected, for tuberculosis (CSIO) and typhoid (DRDO and IISc).
if at all. The blood brain barrier, which protects the Moreover IIT Bombay that has been developed as a
brain from harmful chemicals in the blood, can be no Centre of Excellence in nanotechnology has developed
barrier at all to certain nanoparticles. the iSens biochip that can allow the early detection of
heart attack. The Agharkar institute is also developing a
IX. NANOTECHNOLOGY IN INDIA therapeutic nano-silver product that has antimicrobial
In India, the nanoscience and technology undertaking activity and for which clinical trials are being
has primarily been a government led initiative. considered. Also at the University of Delhi, the
Promoting nanotechnology and capacity building Department of Chemistry has focused on developing
initiatives including investments, establishment of nanoparticle encapsulation for steroidal drugs delivery
infrastructure and facilitation of public private for ocular applications.
 Tile, Suraj, Uday and Sahana 385
This technology is being transferred to the industry for The “Centers” seeks to undertake R&D to develop
commercialization. DST, the nodal department for specific applications in a fixed period of time. Another
organizing, coordinating and promoting S&T activities “Center for Computational Materials Science” has also
in India is the chief agency engaged in the development been established. The S.N. Bose National Centre for
of nanoscience and nanotechnology. It is at the helm of Basic Sciences (SN Bose NCBS), Association for the
the principal program, the Nanoscience and Technology Cultivation of Science (IACS), the Indian Institute of
Mission (NSTM) established to develop India as a key Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced
player in nanoscience and technology. While it will Scientific Research (JNCASR) and IIT Kanpur, each
steer this initiative between the years 2007-2012 it also host a Unit of Nanoscience as well as Centre for
hosted the flagship program, the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
Technology Initiative (NSTI) that was pioneered in
2001 until 2006 Public sector R&D institutions play a X. CONCLUSION
predominant role in nanotechnology R&D. Research in
Nanotechnology has potential applications in many
nanoscience and nanotechnology is being carried out in
various academic and scientific institutions. Foremost sectors including paints and coatings, textiles and
are the, ‘Centers of Excellence (CoE) for Nanoscience clothing, cosmetics, food science, catalysis, etc. In
addition, nanotechnology presents new opportunities to
and Technology’ established under the NSTI by DST.
improve how we measure, monitor, manage.
The CoEs consist of eleven “Units of nanoscience” that
Nanotechnology has emerged as a growing and rapidly
were created to pursue basic research in several broad
changing field. New generations of nanomaterials will
areas of nanoscience/ nanoscale systems and
evolve, and with them new and possibly unforeseen
technology. Whereas seven “Centers for
issues. Nanotechnology is the future of advanced
nanotechnology” were also initiated that could focus on
development. It is everything today from clothes to
R&D in niche areas or in specific dimensions sch as
foods there are every sector in its range we should
nanoelectronics (IIT Bombay) or nanoscale phenomena
promote it more for our future and for more
in biological systems and materials (Tata Institute of
developments in our current life.
Fundamental Research-TIFR).
REFERENCES
[1]. Bhattacharya, Sujit; Bhati, M. & Jayanthi, A.P.
Knowledge creation and transformation process in a frontier
technology: Case study of nanotechnology research in India.
Advances in Nanotechnology, 2011, 7.
[2]. Jeremy J. Ramsden (2005),“What is Nanotechnology”,
Collegium Basilea", [Online] Available: http://pages.unibas.
ch/colbas/ntp/N03RA05.pdf
[3]. Connexions,"The Early History of Nanotechnology",
[Online] Available: http://cnx.org/content/m14504/latest/
[4]. Sarkis Cattien,“Sprachenpreis Nanotechnology”, [Online]
Available: http://projekt.beuth-hochschule.de/
fileadmin/projekt/sprachen/sprachenpreis/erfolgreiche_
beitraege_2007/3._Preis_07_ _Nanotechnology_-_Sarkis_
Cattien.pdf
[5]. Torchilin VP, Shtilman MI, Trubetskoy VS, Whiteman K,
Milstein AM. Amphiphilic vinyl polymers effectively prolong
liposome circulation time in vivo. Biochim Biophys Acta
1994; 1195 : 181-4.
[6]. Nanotechnology innovation opportunities for tomorrow’s
defence, Frank Simonis & Steven Schilthuizen.
[7]. Downing, E. “Team creates new process for
waterproofing,” MITNews,
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2003/waterproof-0205.html

Fig. 9. Nanotechnology in India.