STS

• Nanotechnology


  A branch of technology that deals with the manipulation and study of matter at the nanoscale
• Fields that nanotechnology brings together

  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Materials
  • Science
  • Engineering
• Nanotechnology


  • Enables the sense that it provides the platform and the tools to produce innovation
• Nanoparticle


  One billionth
• As nanoparticles merge together, the technology is enabling in the sense that it provides the platform and the tools for innovation through chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and engineering
• Three dimensions to comprehend the workings of nanotechnology

  • Tangible object (materials, devices, systems)
  • Passive and static objects (nanoparticles with different properties despite same composition)
  • Active devices (capable of performing functions like storing information, generating energy, undergoing state changes)
• Direct nanotechnology


  Materials structured at nanoscale components
• Indirect nanotechnology


  Starts with nanoparticles but can be used in huge applications
• Applications of nanotechnology


  • Drug development
  • Disease diagnosis
  • Nanobots (molecular-scale workers in cells to deliver drugs or perform surgery)
  • Water purification
  • Heat resistant and self-cleaning surfaces
  • Detergents
• Nanoparticles range in size from 1 to 100 nm and may find use in industry, medicine, and agriculture
• Green methods to synthesize nanoparticles

  Utilization of plant extracts, which is simple, convenient, eco-friendly, and reduces reaction time
• Applications of nanotechnology


  • Removing arsenic in soil and water using TiO2 nanoparticles
  • Nanotechnology-inspired radiation detector that located a nuclear leak faster and more accurately at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
• Silver (Ag) nanoparticles


  Exhibit strong antimicrobial properties, with the bactericidal properties dependent on both their size and shape
• Bionanotechnology

  The intersection of biology and nanotechnology, where biological systems and molecules are manipulated and engineered at the nanoscale for various applications such as drug delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering
• Applications of bionanotechnology


  • Drug delivery systems (nanoparticles engineered to deliver drugs to specific targets)
  • Nanomaterials for crop improvement, pest control, and soil remediation
  • Nanotechnology-based biosensors for early disease diagnosis and monitoring
  • Nanomaterials for tissue regeneration and repair
• In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in making energy sources accessible, developing medicine, improving agriculture, and more. There are also existing and ongoing research studies funded by the Department of Sciences and Technology (DOST) on possible applications of nanotechnology, as well as on Nano-Metrology and Education and Public Awareness
• Detecting nanoparticle concentrations in air or various environments is difficult
• Understanding the chemical structure of nanomaterials is crucial for predicting toxicity, as minor changes in chemical function groups can significantly alter nanoparticle properties
• Comprehensive risk assessments are necessary in nanotechnology to ensure human health and environmental safety
• Carbon nanotubes used in memory storage, electronics, batteries, etc. were found to have unknown harmful impacts to the human body by inhalation into lungs, comparable to asbestos
• Mineral-based nanoparticles used in cosmetics, paints, clothing, and other products raise environmental concerns as they can pass through sewerage treatment plants without being detected and be carried by fine silts or microplastics, affecting water sources
• An example of nanotechnology-related environmental contamination is a semiconductor plant in Silicon Valley, California, which contaminated groundwater in the 1980s
• Sources of nanoparticles in the environment

  • Auto traffic (palladium and platinum nanoparticles from catalytic converters, fine carbon particles from exhaust and tire wear)
  • Combustion (soot/carbon black, fly ash, carbon nanotubes)
  • Mining (fine metal and metal oxide particles)
  • Laundry (silver nanoparticles in antibacterial fabrics, metal oxide nanoparticles in UV-proof fabrics)
  • Medicine (silver nanoparticles as antibacterials, gold nanoparticles)
• Some studies found microorganisms that can decompose graphene to make it less toxic for the environment
• Altering the composition of graphene, replacing silicon in electronic devices, and thermal transferring nanomaterials can be done to diminish environmental hazards of nanotechnology
• Advantages of nanotechnology


  • Precision (allows for precise control in creating new materials with specific properties)
  • Innovation (opens up possibilities for developing advanced technologies)
  • Efficiency (enables more efficient energy production and storage)
• Disadvantages of nanotechnology


  • Safety concerns (potential risks to human health and the environment due to unknown effects of nanomaterials)
  • Ethical issues (raises ethical concerns regarding the use of nanotechnology in various applications)
  • Cost (high costs associated with research and development of nanoscale technologies)