DEVELOPMENT

NANOTECHNOLOGY:
OF
IT’S BENEFITS AND
RISKS
 WHAT IS
NANOTECHNOLOGY?
 Nano - Greek word means ‘Dwarf’

 1 nm = one billionth (10ˉ⁹) of meter

 Manipulation of matter < 100nm

 WHAT IS
NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nanotechnology (NT) can be described as the
manipulation of materials or devices at nanoscale.

Nanotechnology is the engineering

of functional systems at the
molecular scale.

In it’s original sense, Nanotechnology means building things

from the bottom up, with atomic precision.
 DEVELOPMENT
NANOTECHNOLOGY
OF
• 1959 - Richard Feynman , a physicist
“There’s Plenty of Room at the
Bottom”
"theprinciples of physics, as far as I
can see, do not speak against the
possibility of maneuvering things
atom by atom."
- at American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of Technology on Dec-29, 1959.
Norio Taniguchi
- Professor , coined the term
“Nanotechnology” (1974)

“Nano-technology’’ - Processing, separation,

consolidation and deformation of materials by one
atom or by one molecule.
 1986, K. Eric Drexler

- advocated its feasibility in Engines

of Creation: The Coming Era of
Nanotechnology
(the first book on Nanotechnology)

He was talking about building machines on the scale of molecules, a

few nanometers wide – motors, robot arms and even whole computers,
far smaller than a cell.
 Timeline of Nanotechnology Development

˷ 2000 years ago Sulfide nanocrystals are used by Greeks and Romans to dye hair

Gold nanoparticles of different sizes used to produce different colors

˷ 1000 years ago in stained glass windows
1959 “ There is plenty of room at the bottom” by R. Freyman

1974 Taniguchi uses the term nanotechnology for the first time

198 IBM develops Scanning Tunneling Microscope

1
1985 “ Buckyball” – scientist at Rice University of Sussex discover C20

199 Carbon nanotube discovered by S. Iijima

1
1999 “Nanomedicine” – 1st nanomedicine book by R. Freitas

2000 “ National Nanotechnology Initiative” launched

 HOW DOES MANIPULATION
OF MATERIAL
DONE?

• NT is considered to be the
next fundamental revolution
in technology, because it
enables the structuring of
matter at the level of
fundamental building blocks.
 The arrangement of atoms may change
the properties of materials. Re- arranging
atoms may result in materials becoming
stronger, lighter, more energy-efficient, or
better at conducting electricity.

For instance, a diamond and a piece of graphite

consist of identical carbon atoms with a different
arrangement.
  Another way to alter the properties
of material is to add small amounts
of nanoparticles.

Possess distinct physical,

biological and chemical properties
associated with their atomic
strength
Thus, for example, by adding nanoparticles of clay to a
polymer used to wrap power cables, one might increase 'the
strength of the material and reduce its flammability.
 NANO
MATERIALS

Quantum dots Nano Chips

Carbon
nanotubes

Buckyballs
 NANO
TUBES
These cylindrical carbon
molecules have novel
properties that make
them potentially useful
in many applications in
nanotechnology.

They exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical

properties, and are efficient conductors of heat.
 DENDRIMER
S
Dendrimers are a type of nanostructure
that can be precisely designed and
manufactured for a wide variety of
applications, including the treatment of
cancer and other diseases.
Dendrimers carrying different materials on their branches can do several
things at one time, such as recognizing diseased cells, diagnosing
diseased states (including cell death), drug delivery, reporting location,
and reporting outcomes of therapy
 NANO
FILMS
Different nanoscale materials can
be used in thin films to make
them water repellent, anti-
reflective, self-cleaning,
Ultraviolet or infrared-resistant,
anti-fog,
anti-microbial, scratch resistant, or
electrically conductive.
Nano films are used now on eyeglasses, computer display and
 At the nanoscale, particles
behave differently
 Carbon in the form of graphite
(i.e. pencil lead) is soft, at the nano-
scale, can be stronger than steel and is
six times lighter.
Nano-scale copper is a highly
elastic metal at room temperature,
stretching to 50 times its original
length without breaking
 Shiny orange yellow Gold changes its
colour to brownish black on reducing
the size
 NANOCOMPOSITES AND
NANO COATINGS

• Mix nanoscale additives with conventional materials in

order to improve their internal properties or surface qualities

• Silver nanoparticles can be added to

plastics to make them antibacterial

• Titanium dioxide nanoparticles make the surface of glass

reject dirt and so becomes “ self-cleaning”
 NANOTECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS
Nanotechnology is
sometimes referred to as a
general purpose technology
because in its advanced
version it will have
significant impact on almost
all industries and all areas
of society
 MEDICIN
E
• Cancer treatment • Drug development
• Bone treatment • Medical tools
• Drug delivery • Diagnostic tests
• Appetite control • Imaging

 Nanocrystalline silver is
already being used as a
antimicrobial agent in the
treatment of wounds.
 INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Smaller, faster, more energy
efficient and powerful computing
and other IT-based systems

Nano Chips
 ENERG
More efficient and cost-effective
Y
technologies for energy production

 Solar cells
 Fuel cells
 Batteries
Batteries for tools are being manufactured with nanoscale
materials in order to deliver more power, more quickly with
less heat.
 CONSUMER
GOODS
Foods and beverages
Advanced packaging materials,
sensors, and lab-on-chips for food
quality testing.
H
o
Appliances and textiles u and better cosmetics
s
Stain proof, water proof and
e
wrinkle free textiles
h
 MILITARY USES
NANOTECHNOLOG
OF
Y
The United States is the leader in military R&D of NT

Potentially, NT could dramatically improve warfare

technology.

Lighter, stronger, heat resistant nanomaterials could be

used in producing all kinds of weapons, making military
transportation faster, strengthening armour and saving
Nanotechnology and Space APPLICATIONS
UNDERDEVELOPMEN
T
Using carbon nanotubes to make the cable needed for the space
elevator, a system which could significantly reduce the cost of sending
material into orbit.
Employing materials made from carbon nanotubes to reduce the weight
of spaceships while retaining or even increasing the structural
strength.
Using carbon nanotubes to build lightweight solar sails that use
pressure of light from the sun reflecting on the mirror-like solar cell to
propel a spacecraft. This solves the problem of having to lift enough
 APPLICATIONS
UNDERDEVELOPMENT
Nanotechnology in Electronics: Nanoelectronics

 Improving display screens on electronics devices. This involves reducing

power consumption while decreasing the weight and thickness of the screens.

 Increasing the density of memory chips. Researchers are developing a type of

memory chip with a projected density of one terabyte of memory per square
inch or greater.

 Reducing the size of transistors used in integrated circuits. One researcher

believes it may be possible to "put the power of all of today's present computers
in the palm of your hand"
 APPLICATIONS
UNDERDEVELOPMEN
Nanotechnology in Medicine T
 Qdots that identify the location of cancer cells in the body.

 Nanoparticles deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells to

minimize damage to healthy cells.
 Nanoshells that concentrate the heat from infrared light to destroy
cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy cells.
 Nanotubes used in broken bones to provide a structure for new bone
material to grow.
 Nanoparticles that can attach to cells infected with various diseases and
allow a doctor to identify, in a blood sample, the particular disease.
 POTENTIAL RISKS
NANOTECHNOLOG
OF
Y
"The Grey Goo"
- the danger of self- replicating nanobots.

- was introduced by Drexler, and it maintains that

molecular NT would one day become a reality, and most
of manufacturing would be done by tiny nanorobots.
 POTENTIAL RISKS
OF
NANOTECHNOLOG
Toxicity of Y
nanoparticles

Human body
manipulation

N
a
 CONCLUSIO
N
Nanotechnology promises both great opportunities and
risks
Many scientists believe that the use of NT will increase
dramatically within the next few decades, spreading into
practically all areas of life.

Possible misuses both in military and civilian realms are

related to the more general problem of the pace of human
adaptation to new technologies.