Gec 7 STS Unit Xii

NANOTECHNOLOGY
Discussant: Prof. Renato O. Escandor, LPT, MEM
ALIAC PROPERTY
Unauthorized Reproduction & Dissemination is prohibited
WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nanotechnology is the branch of
technology that deals with dimensions
and tolerances of less than 100
nanometers, especially the
manipulation of individual atoms and
molecules.
Modern nanotechnology began in
1981 with the scanning tunneling
microscope. This allowed scientists
and engineers to see and
manipulate individual atoms.

Physicist Richard Feynman, as the father of
nanotechnology, described processes that
allow scientists to control and manipulate
individual atoms and molecules.
Professor Norio Taniguchi, a Japanese

scientist, coined nanotechnology after his
series of explorations of ultraprecision
machining
.
How small the “nano” is?
- In the International System of Units, the prefix
"nano" means one-billionth, or 10-9; therefore one
nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
- it is indeed difficult to see how small it is.

- Nanotechnology is also the study and application
that can be used across all the other science fields,
such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials
science, and engineering.
- It is ‘convergent’ because it brings together sectors

of science that were previously separated, e.g.
(deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA silicon chips, converging
between semiconductor science (inorganic chemistry)
and biology, with applications in the medical
industry.
- It also involves design, characterization,
production and application of structures,
devices and systems by controlling shape
and size at the nanometer scale.
- This technology is ‘enabling’ in the sense

that it provides the platform, and the tools
to realize certain products.
To decipher how nanotechnology works, three dimensions must be considered:
1. tangible objects which include materials, devices and system;
2. passive, static objects i.e. nanoparticles that have properties different to bulk objects even
if they have the same composition; the active devices i.e. those that can store information,
induce energy or change its state; and the nanofacture, which refers to atomically precise
manufacturing (APM) i.e. collection of instruments and procedures; and
3. direct nanotechnology which refers to materials structured at nanoscale components;

extends also to indirect nanotechnology which can be used in huge applications but start with
nanoparticles i.e. hugely powerful information processors with individual nanoscale components.
(Ramsden, 2009).
NanoFacture® device that can
extract DNA
APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
Since nanoscience and nanotechnology has a rapid spinoff, various prospective uses arise.
- electronics : carbon nanotubes are close to replacing silicon
- food: produced nanobiosensors used to detect pathogens in food or nanocomposites to improve food production by
increasing mechanical and thermal resistance as well as by decreasing oxygen in package products.
- energy : in Kyoyo Univ. makes possible to manufacture solar panels to double the amount of sunlight converted into
electricity
- textiles: makes possible to make textile into smart fabrics that cannot be stained or wrinkled.
- biomedicine: produced medicine that can attack the cancer cells
- cancer treatments; produced medicines to kill cancers
- environment: produced wastewater purification with nanobubbles

In medicine, numerous applications of this field
i.e. more effective drugs for conditions such as
high blood pressure; assisted by the view of
these molecules afforded by X-ray lasers,
simulate biological mechanisms to monitor a
cancer cell while it is treated by drug-bearing
nanoparticles; and the “nanobots”, molecular-
scale workers that can employ molecular
processes within cells which eventually can
deliver drugs to specific molecular sites or even Nanotechnology on Red Blood Cells
carry out surgery (Biercuk, 2011).
Water purification systems, with
nanomaterials and utilizing new
membrane technologies with variable
pore sizes as filters i.e. the forward-
osmosis membrane technology of
Hydration Technologies, are now
available (Prashant et al., 2005).
- Nanoparticles are also used to prepare heat-
resistant and self-cleaning surfaces, such as floors
and benchtops.
- Nanoparticles of silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide

can also make a surface repel water, which prevents
stains.
- Zeolites are silicon oxide and aluminium oxide that have

specific nanoporous cage-like structures allowing it to
absorb molecules i.e. heavy metals and compounds that Zeolites
cause odor (Shearer, 2016).
Different types of Nanoparticles commonly used in biomedical
In agriculture, novel techniques of nanotechnology applications are applied to breed crops
with higher levels of micronutrients, to detect pest, and to control processing of food
(Hechman, 2005).
Ultra-small probes on earth surfaces for agricultural applications and control of soil, air,
and water contamination are also developed by nanotechnology (Zhang et al, 2011).
Nanotechnology applications in agriculture
- For contamination of Arsenic in soil and water, a simple and cheap but effective way of
removing the contaminant with TiO2 nanoparticles. (Pena et al, 2005).
- Availability of a nanotechnology inspired detector from Washington, which can sense

the smallest amount of radiation, made the detection of a nuclear leak faster and more
accurate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Zhang et al, 2011).
- Chlorinated compounds i.e. chlorinated solvents and pesticides and polychlorinated

biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated compounds are major environmental contaminants
that can be reduced using nanoscale metal particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni in
conjunction with iron filings [Fe(0)] (Dayrit et al, 2008).
Bio nanotechnology provides feasible solutions e.g. support of cleaner production
methods, provision of alternative and renewable energy sources, and source reduction
into the manufacturing process (Colvin, 2003).
Nanotechnology helps in energy consumption like in the use of graphene into a coating
material resulting in the need for only one layer, which does not require a
multifunctional film coating. Nanoscale chemical reagents or catalysts are smaller in
sizes yet increase the reaction rate, thus lessening input of raw materials (Zhang et al,
2011).
Graphene Buckyballs
- Scientists combined buckyballs, which
resemble tiny soccer balls made from 60
carbon atoms, with graphene, a single layer
of carbon, on an underlying surface
(Source: https://www.energy.gov/science/bes/articles/buckyball-
marries-graphene)
In the lecture given by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit in 2008 entitled “Nanotechnology:
Business and Practical Applications: Where the Philippines Is and Where It
Should Be”, he mentioned the possible applications of nanotechnology in the
Philippines, namely: ICT and Semiconductors, Energy, Food and Agriculture,
Environment, and Health and Medicine. He mentioned existing and on-going
research studies that time funded by the Department of Science and Technology
on these areas, as well as on Nano-Metrology and Education and Public
Awareness.
CHALLENGES
Nanotechnology when used in environmental impact assessments and in

toxicology testing, may bring a possibility of e-waste bins at recycling centers or
even in sanitary landfills to have intricately engineered nanostructures that
could screen what happen to these e-wastes to possibly lessen environmental
consequences. This may be feasible but may be difficult.
The mineral-based nanoparticles found in cosmetics, paints, clothing and other
products are questioned on how they affect the environment as they go through
sewerage treatment plants untreated due to their very small diameters. They can be
carried down by fine silts or microplastics with both inorganic and organic pollutants.
Thus, may even affect our water source (Biercuk, 2011).
In the 1980s, a semiconductor plant contaminated the ground-water in Silicon Valley,

California (Zhang et al, 2011).
This aerial photo shows the existing Phoenix Semiconductor factory in
Clark Freeport Zone and the empty lot behind it where the new facility
will rise. Source: Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines
Nano Contaminants
Carbon nanotubes used in manufacture of
memory storage, electronic, batteries, etc. were
found to have unknown harmful impacts to the
human body by inhalation into lungs
comparable to asbestos fiber11. The pulmonary
toxicological evaluation of single-wall carbon
nanotubes12 indicated that it is more toxic
than carbon black and quartz once it reaches
lung13, while multifocal granulomas were
produced when rats were exposure to single-
wall carbon nanotubes14 (Zhang et al, 2011). Carbon Nanotubes
Wind turbine blades
Bicycle frame
Baseball bat
Hull of the ship
Fuselage
Due to its size, nanoparticle will be difficult to be analyzed and this lack of information
and methods of characterizing nanomaterials makes it a challenge to detect its
concentration in air or in any matrix of the environment.
Predicting the toxicity of a nanomaterial rely heavily on the information of the chemical
structure since minor changes of chemical function group could drastically change its
properties. Point to point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology then should be
conducted to ensure the safety on human health and environment.
(Zhang et al, 2011)

ETHICAL DELIMMAS
With the identified potential hazard that
nanoparticles can bring to human health
and the environment, shall we give up
the benefits the technology can provide
the society?
Issues raised may be further studied and modification of
nanotechnology methods may be done, e.g., altering the composition of
graphene, known to be one of the most advanced materials for
structural improvement, substitution of silicon for electronic devices,
thermal transferring, and fire retardant, to become more environmental
friendly. Some studies also found microorganisms that can decompose
graphene to make it less toxic to the environment (Zhang et al, 2011).

It is imperative therefore, that the society
is given a nano-safe knowledge on how
nanomaterials work to our benefit or even
to our detriment.
Do you remember this movie?
A scene from the Amazing Spider Man (20212)

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NANOTECHNOLOGY

Discussant: Prof. Renato O. Escandor, LPT, MEM

1981 with the scanning tunneling

microscope. This allowed scientists

and engineers to see and

manipulate individual atoms.

Professor Norio Taniguchi, a Japanese

- In the International System of Units, the prefix

"nano" means one-billionth, or 10-9; therefore one

nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.

- it is indeed difficult to see how small it is.

- It is ‘convergent’ because it brings together sectors

- This technology is ‘enabling’ in the sense

3. direct nanotechnology which refers to materials structured at nanoscale components;

- electronics : carbon nanotubes are close to replacing silicon

- biomedicine: produced medicine that can attack the cancer cells

- cancer treatments; produced medicines to kill cancers

- environment: produced wastewater purification with nanobubbles

- Nanoparticles of silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide

- Zeolites are silicon oxide and aluminium oxide that have

- Availability of a nanotechnology inspired detector from Washington, which can sense

- Chlorinated compounds i.e. chlorinated solvents and pesticides and polychlorinated

Nanotechnology when used in environmental impact assessments and in

In the 1980s, a semiconductor plant contaminated the ground-water in Silicon Valley,

Hull of the ship

(Zhang et al, 2011)

nanoparticles can bring to human health

and the environment, shall we give up

the benefits the technology can provide

nanotechnology methods may be done, e.g., altering the composition of

graphene, known to be one of the most advanced materials for

structural improvement, substitution of silicon for electronic devices,

thermal transferring, and fire retardant, to become more environmental

friendly. Some studies also found microorganisms that can decompose

graphene to make it less toxic to the environment (Zhang et al, 2011).

A scene from the Amazing Spider Man (20212)

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