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- Despite steps taken by India for the development and adoption of nanotechnology, much more needs to be done to ensure that its huge potential is fully leveraged. Discuss.
- What do you understand by Nanotechnology? Elaborate the potential areas of its application in serving humanity in general and the health sector in particular.
22-08-2023
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Answer :
Nanotechnology is the development and use of techniques to study physical phenomena and develop new devices and material structures by manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale in the physical size range of 1-100 nanometres (nm).
Nanotechnology has huge potential for various fields in India like Health and medicine (Nanoscale diagnostic devices and implants), Electronics (use of Nanotetrapods to develop low cost electrodes for fuel cells), Environment (NanoCO2 harvesters), Defence (Intelligence gathering can be done through nanosensors, nanotechnology enabled precision-guiding tools) etc. In order to tap this potential, India has taken following steps for the development and adoption of nanotechnology.
• It began with the Nanoscience & Technology Initiative (2001 to 2006) to create the background and infrastructure for R&D in nano-science & technology.
• This was followed by the Nanotechnology Initiative Programme (2004) and Nano Science and Technology Mission (2006).
• National Mission on Nano Science and Technology (2007) was started as an ‘umbrella capacity-building programme’ to promote basic research in nanotechnology, human resources development, infrastructure development and international collaboration. The
Mission resulted in useful products like nanohydrogel based eye drops, pesticide removal technology for drinking water, nanosilver based antimicrobial textile coating, etc. and publication of over 23000 papers by Indian scientists.
However, India has been not able to leverage the full potential of nanotechnology and following steps need to be taken:
- India needs to increase its spending on nanotechnology research which, at present, is just a fraction of the research spending of countries like Japan, USA, China etc. Long-term funding, which can accommodate coherent research programmes with high-impact outcome is needed.
• The number of PhDs awarded in nanoscience and technology needs to be increased to meet the target set by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of producing 10,000 PhD students annually over the next decade.
• Private sector needs to be leveraged to contribute further to nanotechnology research.
• Regulatory issues arising out of the ‘boundary-crossing’ nature of nanotechnology need to be resolved. There is a need to have a collaborative framework so that various research centres throughout India work together to attain better results.
• A streamlined ethical approach that takes into account the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology in consultation with all the stakeholders shall unlock the potential so limited by ethical consequences of nanotechnology.
• The linkages between the technology and commercial domains should be strengthened to reduce the gap between basic research and application in nanotechnology.Nano technology holds great potential for India and a multi-pronged approach will ensure that thisis fully leveraged. This will help India utilize its natural and human resources optimally and also help make India self-reliant in sectors like health and medicine, electronics, environment, defence etc.
17-08-2023
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Answer :
Nanotechnology is a field of science and technology that involves the manipulation and control of matter at the nanoscale level, typically in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers.
· Nano-scale materials and structures have distinct properties that can be utilized to create new materials and
advance technologies.
Potential Areas of its application in serving humanity in general:
Electronics and Computing:
Ø Nanoscale Transistors: For instance, carbon nanotube transistors are being explored as a potential replacement for traditional silicon-based transistors.
Ø Flexible Electronics: Nanomaterials like graphene and nanowires enable the fabrication of flexible electronic devices, such as bendable displays and wearable sensors.
Energy and Environment:
Ø Solar Energy: Nanotechnology plays a significant role in enhancing solar energy capture and conversion. Nanoscale materials, such as perovskite nanoparticles, are used in the development of efficient solar cells.
Ø Energy Storage: Nanomaterials are employed in the development of high-performance batteries and supercapacitors with improved energy density, charging rates, and longevity.
Ø Environmental Sensors: For example, Nano sensors can be used to monitor air quality, water contamination, and soil pollution.
Water and Food Safety:
Ø Water Purification: Nanomaterials like graphene oxide membranes and nanoparticles can remove contaminants from water, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and bacteria.
Ø Food Packaging: Nanotechnology packaging enhances food safety and freshness with antimicrobial nanocomposite films for extended shelf life.
Materials Science and Engineering:
Ø Lightweight and Strong Materials: Nanotechnology creates lightweight, high-strength materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene for aerospace, automotive, and construction.
Ø Self-Cleaning Surfaces: Nano-coatings with self-cleaning properties repel dirt, water, and oils. They are used in various applications, including building exteriors, car coatings, and textiles.
Environmental Remediation:
Ø Soil and Water Remediation: For example, nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (nZVI) are used to remediate groundwater contaminated with heavy metals and chlorinated solvents.
Potential Areas of its application in Health Sector:
Drug Delivery:
Ø Targeted Therapy: For instance, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay developed targeted liposomes loaded with anti-cancer drugs for precise delivery to tumor cells.
Ø Controlled Release Systems: At the Indian Institute of Science, researchers developed a nanogel-based system for sustained release of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Diagnostics and Imaging:
Ø Biosensors: In India, researchers have developed nano-sensors for the detection of various diseases, such as tuberculosis and diabetes, providing cost-effective and point-of-care diagnostic solutions.
Ø Imaging Agents: Indian scientists have explored the use of gold nanoparticles and quantum dots as imaging agents for applications such as cancer imaging and tracking stem cells.
Ø Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Indian scientists utilize nanotechnology to create portable nano-diagnostic devices for rapid disease detection, including malaria and dengue, in resource-limited areas.
Ø Liquid Biopsies: In India, nanotechnology enables non-invasive detection of disease biomarkers in body fluids, including the use of nanomaterials for cancer detection.
Nanomedicine for Infectious Diseases:
Ø Antimicrobial Nanomaterials: Indian researchers use nanotechnology to develop antimicrobial nanomaterials like silver nanoparticles and graphene composites for wound healing and drug-resistant pathogens.
Thus, Nanotechnology enhances technology in IT, homeland security, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety, and environmental science. At Nano India 2022, experts explored its applications for national development, including safe drinking water, materials, sensors, and drug delivery.