What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is science, engineering, technology, conducted at the nanoscale which is 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology and Nanoscience involve the ability to see and to control individual atoms and molecules. In other words, nanotechnology is the engineering of the functional system at molecular scale.

Richard Feynman, the father of nanotechnology, in his 1959 talk described nanotechnology as a field which can manipulate and control things on the scale of a nanometer. He expected that matter will have surprising properties at Nano level and thus provide for enormous number of applications

Applications of Nanotechnology

• Carbon Nanotubes are used in various products ranging from paints and textiles to medical diagnostics tools and components of future quantum computers because of remarkable properties such as very high elastic strength alongside low mass density or very high current densities with no heat loss.
• Electronics
  • Graphene is used in transparent electrodes for solar cells, LCD, robust non-volatile atomic switches, chemical and biological sensors and in spintronic devices.
  • Semiconducting nanowires are highly versatile optoelectronic components, for a wide variety of applications such as nano-LEDs and nano-Lasers, solar cells, and biomedical sensors.

• Health
  • Nanoparticles of silver embedded into fibers have anti-microbial action. It is used in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household appliances. Bandages are being infused with silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster.
  • Gold Nanoparticles have anti-bacterial properties
  • Nanomedicines – Diagnosis and Treatment (see details separately)
  • Water Purification: Special Filters using nanomaterials can remove objects as tiny as viruses from water.

• Nanotechnology in Agriculture – Better fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, feeds, better treatment for domesticated animals.
  • Nano-Fibre based Agriculture Inputs: For e.g., FIB-SOL provides a five-gram fiber that is soluble in water and can be applied on field using conventional or modern irrigation practices. The product addresses the demand for live bacteria that could rejuvenate the soil. It could also increase the nutrient utilization efficiency, allowing plants to assimilate nutrients in a better way.

• Environmental Applications:
  • Iron nanoparticles can be used to effectively clean-up organic solvents that are polluting the ground water. The nanoparticles disperse throughout the water and decompose the organic solvents in place.
  • Adding a little boron to Carbon while creating nanotubes produce solid, spongy, reusable blocks that can absorb large quantities of oil spilled in water.
  • Nanotechnology based smart windows have energy saving, easy cleaning, UV controlling and photovoltaic properties.
  • Renewable Energy Generation
    • New and Cheap Solar Cells use nanoparticles of Titanium oxide coated with dye molecules to capture the energy of visible light and convert it into electricity.
    • A novel catalytic nanosheet from of a nickel molybdenum-nitride, a thousand time cheaper than traditional platinum, is the new model for harvesting hydrogen from water for use as fuel.

• Structural Engineering Applications
  • Nano-enhanced Cement contained by addition of nanoparticles like nano silica (silica fume), nanostructured metals, CNTs and carbon nanofibers give stronger, more durable, self-healing, air purifying, fire resistant, easy to clean quick compacting structure.
  • Nano-enhanced Construction Ceramics such as floor and wall tiles and sanitary ware have self-cleaning, anti-bacterial, hygienic and scratch resistant features.
  • Nano-enhanced paints can reduce emission of Nitrogen-di-oxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. It can also make paint scratch proof, easy cleaning, air purifying, UV resistant, water repellant, flame resistant, and anti-bacterial.
  • Nanotechnology based smart windows have energy-saving, easy cleaning, UN controlling and photovoltaic properties.
  • Fire resistant glasses are produced by addition of fumed silica nanoparticles in glasses.

• Nanotechnology can promote different forms of insulation solutions like coatings, vacuum insulations glazing and nanofoams.
• Nano whiskers on clothes create a cushion of air around the fabric so that liquids can’t stain them.
• Cosmetics: Nanoparticles like Zinc oxides and titanium oxides are used in sunscreen and related products. They provide protection from UVA rays.

Nanotechnology in Health

• Medical Applications:
  • Prevention of disease:
    • Nanoparticles of silver embedded into fibers have anti-microbial action. It is used in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants, and household appliances. Bandages are being infused with silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster.
    • Gold Nanoparticles have anti-bacterial properties
    • Water Purification: Special Filters using nanomaterials can remove objects as tiny as viruses from water.

• Diagnostics
  • By studying and identifying individual molecules, it is possible to diagnose disease in time to improve the prognosis for the patient.
• Improved Treatment
  • Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) is developing Magnetic Hyperthermia mediated cancer therapy – delivery and localization of magnetic material within the targeted tumour site followed by subsequent application of an alternating Magnetic Field (AMF), thereby generating heat at the tumour site
  • g: Scientist are using gold nanoparticles to target prostate cancer. Here the nanoparticles or nano shells are made of small payers of Silica glass formed into a sphere and wrapped in a thin layer of gold. This is made to reach the tumour site and then harnessed to cause the tumorous tissue to pulse with extreme temperature when light is applied through a laser specifically designed to excite the particles
  • A team of scientists from IISc Bengaluru have developed nano robots to be used in dental procedure (like root canal therapy).
• With more advancement in Nanomachines – complex surgical procedures would become less intrusive and less complicated.

Using Nanorobots for Dental Procedure (Aug 2021)

• Background/Need
  • A significant percentage of root canal treatments fail, because the procedure leaves out some bacteria that are located deep within the dentinal tubules.

• The new method:
  • Scientists have developed Spiral Silica robots measuring 300 nanometers to travel through dentinal tubules and target bacterias.