ch 11

• Nanotechnology 

  • operates at the smallest possible scale, the nanoscale, where the extraordinary properties of materials come to life.
  • Big impact on our everyday lives
• “Nano” – unit of measurement in length and Greek prefix meaning “dwarf”
• Norio Taniguchi (Professor at Tokyo University of science)

  • Coined Nanotechnology in 1974
  • Was describing his work on semiconductor process (thin film deposition, ion beam milling) on the order of a nanometer
• The essence of the term “Nanotechnology”: any technology that operates on the nanoscale and serves practical purposes

  • “Technology that works on the nanoscale”
• Nanoscale – range spanning from 1- 100 nanometers
• Richard Feynman

  • Father of modern nanotechnology
  • Started the idea and concepts of nanoscience through the talk “there’s plenty of room in the bottom” in an American Physical Society Meeting at the California Institute of technology on December 29, 1959 before the use of nanotechnology
• 1981 – modern nanotechnology began alongside the development of scanning tunneling microscope that allows the observation of individual atoms
• Nano Lab – nanotechnology research facility in the Philippines

  • Made accessible to public on July 1, 2015
  • A project of The Department of Science and Technology – Industrial Technology department Institute (DOST-ITDI)
  • Its primary mission is to provide local industries with research and development opportunities and technical support 
• Name of Institution: Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU)

  Name of Laboratory: Chemistry Analytical and Research Laboratory

  Address: AdDU, E. Jacinto St., Davao City

  Instrumentations Available:

  • AFM: No
  • DLS: No
  • SEM: Yes
  • TEM: No
• Name of Institution: Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU)

  Name of Laboratory: Nanotechnology Laboratory

  Address: Loyola Heights, Quezon City

  Instrumentations Available:

  • AFM: No
  • DLS: Yes
  • SEM: Yes
  • TEM: No
• Name of Institution: De La Salle University (DLSU)

  Name of Laboratory: iNano Research and Solid State Physics lab

  Address: 2401 Taft Avenue, City of Manila

  Instrumentations Available:

  • AFM: No
  • DLS: No
  • SEM: Yes
  • TEM: No
• Name of Institution:UPLB Nanotechnology Program, UPLB

  Name of Laboratory: UPLB NanoScience and Technology Facility Analytical and Laguna 4031 Instrumentation Service Laboratory

  Address: Laguna 4031

  Instrumentations Available:

  • AFM: Yes
  • DLS: Yes
  • SEM: No
  • TEM: No
• APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY:

  Several applications of nanotechnology are for sustainable energy, agriculture, and environment protection, medicine, transportation, and food industry
• 1. Water treatment and purification

  • Nanomembranes purify, desalinate and detoxify water
  • Nanosensors detect contaminants and pathogens in water
  • Nanoporous zeolites, nanoporous polymers, and attapulgite clays purify water
• Environmental remediation:  contaminants/pollutants are removed from soil and surface water using:

  • Zero-valent iron nanoparticles for abatement of pollutants
  • Nanoscale iron particles
• Minimize pollution generation: Geen nanocomposites are eco-friendly materials to minimize pollution

  • starch -based nanocomposites
  • cellulose -based nanocomposites
  • Protein-based nanocomposites
• Nanomedicine – application of nanotechnology in the fields of health and medicine for early detection and prevention, improved diagnosis, proper treatment, and follow-up diseases (Nialjie, 2015)
• • Inorganic nanoparticles in green nanotechnology for cancer therapy was studied
• Nano engineering such as the formation and application of solid drug nanoparticles for bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This includes;

  • Improving oral bioavailability
  • Overcome food effects
  • Modified delivery profile
  • Sustained-release intramuscular depot formation
• Nanomaterial  are considered chemicals

  • These chemical react and easily penetrate the body for further contact due to its size
• Nanotechnology is used diagnosing

  • Through the use of nanocrystals
  • For therapy and treatment of illness through nanomedicine like nano hematology, nanooncology, nanodentistry, nanosurgery, nano ophthalmology, nano neurology, nano cardiology
  • Applied in tissue culture, nanotoxicology, genetic engineering and many more
• Nanotechnology application in healthcare and medicine:

  • Carbon nanotubes to develop advanced biosensors
  • Nanoparticles for site-specific drug delivery
• Agriculture (Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty 2017)

  • Nanomaterials in livestock as mineral supplements
  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles in fertilizer
• Nanoparticles in feeds and fertilizers
• Food packaging – nanotechnology enhances barrier and heat resistance functions, and biodegradability

  • “Smart Packaging” that notify consumers of contamination by color changing and self repair
• Nutritional supplement

  • Nanoparticle ingredients called “Nanoceuticals”
• Nanotechnology in plant nutrition, pest control, water contaminant detection, and soil remediation (Usman et al., 2020)

  • Nanofertilizers to minimize loss of nutrients (slow/controlled release fertilizers e.g Osmocote in pellet form)
  • Nanopesticides
  • Nanobiosensors (detect water contaminants such as nitrate, nitrite, and urease form of urea)
  • Nanomaterials for soil remediation to remove pollutants 
• Nanotechnology in Transportation

  • Enhance safety, durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability
  • Achieved by improving/strengthening materials used in transport infrastructure
  • Anti-corrosion, flame retardancy, UV resistance, heat transfer, lubrication, antimicrobial properties, enhanced thermal and electrical conductivity, lightweight construction, and more
• Nanotechnology in Food industry

  • Promote better shelf life
  • Improve texture and taste
  • Carry food additives without changing the physical appearance of food
  • Nanopolymers for food packaging
  • Nanosensors for detecting contaminants/bacteria/virus
  • Encapsulation – compounds such as lipids, proteins, and vitamins can be assimilated in food products
• Nanotechnology in space exploration

  1. Space exploration (papadopoulos et al., 2012): Robotics Miniaturization in space

  • Micro and nano technologies (MNT) to increase capabilities of space robotics
• Nanotechnology issues

  1. Health and safety

  • Nanoparticles penetrate cells and trigger inflammatory response and oxidative stress (Schmidt 2009)

  1. Environment

  • Non-antibacterial nanoparticles cause bacteria resistance in environment (Science daily, 2019)

  1. Agriculture

  • Iron oxide nanoparticles are toxic to grass litter decomposition, nitrogen mineralization, and may affect other ecosystem services (Rashid et al., 2017)
• Nanotechnology Products:

  • Sunscreen for more UV absorption
  • waterproof/stain proof clothing
  • Less flammable furniture
  • Nano Glue adhesive that withstand extreme temperatures (or get stronger)
  • Car paintwork coating – protects car from bird poop
  • Tennis balls that bounce longer
  • Stronger tennis rackets
  • Computer with latest IntelCores processor technology (10-nanometer chip)