Module 5

Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology ▪ Used the word
“nanotechnology” to
- The understanding and control of matter
describe science and
at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100
technology of
nanometers, where unique phenomena
processing or building
enable novel applications.
parts with nanometric
- Encompassing nanoscale science,
tolerances
engineering, and technology,
o Nanometer
nanotechnology involves imaging,
▪ A unit of length in the
measuring, modeling, and manipulating
metric system, equal to
matter at this length scale.
one billionth of a meter
- Engineering of functional systems at a
o Dr. Richard P. Feynman
molecular scale design, characterization,
▪ “Why cannot we write
production, and application of
the entire 24 volumes of
structures, devices, and systems by
the Encyclopedia
controlling shape and size at nanometer
Britannica on the head
scale
of a pin?”
- “Science of the extremely small”
▪ “The problems of
- Study and use of structures ranging from
chemistry and biology
1 to 100 nm
can be greatly helped if
- 1 x 10-9
our ability to see what
- 1 meter = 1, 000, 000, 000 nm
we are doing, and to do
- Sheet of paper = 100, 000 nm thick
things on an atomic
- Ballpen = 140, 000, 000 nm thick
level, is ultimately
- Some are naturally occurring in volcanic
developed – a
ash, oceanic materials, etc.
development which I
- By rearranging atoms of objects,
think cannot be
scientists can produce nanomaterials.
avoided.”
- Nanosilver: antibacterial properties
▪ Surely You’re Joking Mr.
Brief history Feynman! Adventures
of a Curious Character
- The concepts of nanotechnology are not
• Collection of
new to nature or to mankind
reminiscences
- Examples: Stained glass windows and
by Nobel Prize-
gold nano particles
winning
- Patterns of nanotechnology is based on
physicist
biological concepts
o Atomic Scale
- Birth of nanotechnology
▪ Computer image of the
o Professor Taniguchi of Tokyo
nano ice double helix
Science University
o Eric Drexler
 ▪ Coined the term “grey o Scanning probe microscope
goo” – the potential systems and scanning tunneling
problem of self- microscope
replicating and o Scanning electron microscope
autonomous artificial and transmission electron
intelligence machines. microscope (Developed
▪ Engines of Creation: The microscope)
Coming Era of - Bottom-up approach
Nanotechnology o Bottom-up approach to
• Book by Eric manufacturing is analogous to
Drexler the way biological systems are
▪ Prokaryotes, made.
chromosome – contains o From the smallest
DNA o Based on structural levels of
▪ DNA: sugar— organization
deoxyribose; o Molecular self-assembly
phosphate; purines – through hydrogen bonds
Aniline and guanine;
Summary: Nanotechnology is ubiquitous and
pyrimidines—Cytosine
pervasive. It is an emerging field in all areas of
and Thymine
science, engineering, and technology
▪ Cell Repair Machines
• “By working Note: Structural levels of organization: Bottom-
along molecule up approach
by molecule and
- Chemical level
structure by
o Atom
structure, repair
o Element
machines will
o Compound
be able to repair
▪ Organic
whole cells. By
▪ Inorganic
working along
- Organismic level
cell by cell and
o Cell
tissue by tissue,
o Tissue
they … will be
▪ Combination of cells of
able to repair
the same shape
organs… they
o Organs
will restore
o Organ system
health” –
o Species
Drexler, 1986
- Population level
- Metrology
o Population
o Measurement of equipment is
o Communities
the cornerstone of
▪ In terms of biology
nanotechnology
▪ Ecosystem
• Aquatic
 o Freshwater Applications of Nanotechnology
ecosystems
Environmental Remediations
o Lentic: running
water - Radioactive Waste Cleanup
o Lotic: standing o Titanate nanofibers and
water nanotubes
o marine ▪ Absorbents for removal
ecosystems of radioactive ions from
• Terrestrial water
o Forest ▪ Removal of radioactive
o Grasslands cesium and iodine ions
• Biosphere/ in water
ecosphere - Oil Spill Cleanup
o Nanofabric paper towel from
Nanoscience
tiny wires of potassium
- Microscopes and other nanodevices manganese oxide
- Nanostructures ▪ Absorbs 20x its weight
o Volcanic ash, ocean spray, find in oil
sand, dust o Magnetic water-repellent
o Scanning tunneling microscope nanoparticles to mechanically
o Atomic force microscope remove oil from the water
o Nanotechnology was born - Groundwater cleanup
o Iron particles
Nanoparticles ▪ Decompose organic
- Top-down approach solvents
o Traditional process of slicing or ▪ Pseudomonas
cutting larger particles to aeruginosa
nanosized structures • Bacteria found
o Microchips, nanocomposites, in soil
nanocoating
NanoMedicine/ Nanotechnology enabled
o Silver nanoparticles =
medicine
antibacterial
o Titanium dioxide = self-cleaning - An interdisciplinary field of science, even
o Carbon nanotubes = strength a simple project needs contributions
and conductivity from physicists, engineers, material
- Bottom-up approach chemists, biologists, and end users such
o Molecular self-assembly of as orthopedic surgeons.
atomic size particles to form - Molecular nanotechnology and
nanoparticles with new molecular manufacturing are key
properties enabling technologies.
▪ Stronger - Analyzing and repairing the human body
▪ Lighter just as we repair any other machine.
o Atom by atom, molecule by - Cancer research and COVID-19 vaccines
molecule, cluster by cluster
- Nanotechnology has the potential to ▪ Challenges: ovary
address two shortcomings stimulation, multiple
o Detects change after it has pregnancies, genetic
occurred disorders
o Does not identify characteristics ▪ Improves the quality of
of the disease mature oocytes
- Antibodies which bind to receptors ▪ Refined genetic
commonly found on cancer cells can be screening & diagnoses
coded to nanoparticles which can be ▪ Optimizes gene editing
detected using MRI or CT scans o Aid the diagnosis and therapy
- Specific stages and types of cancers of liver fibrosis
could be identified using ▪ Liver fibrosis: formation
nanotechnology of abnormally large
- Cancer treatment amounts of scar tissue
o Nanoparticles as drug delivery which can cause liver
systems failure, liver cirrhosis
o Chemotherapy: kills both cancer (severe fibrosis), and
cells and healthy cells liver cancer
o Nanoparticles have the potential ▪ Traditional diagnostic
to more effectively target only methods & drug-based
the cancer cells thus minimizing therapies have
the harms limitations like lack of
o Nanoparticles can be large precision and
enough to prevent vascular inadequate therapeutic
leakage but small enough to efficiency
avoid immune detection ▪ Nanomedicine
- COVID-19 mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and enhances imaging
Moderna contrast, improves
o Nanoparticles are used to tissue penetration, and
counteract the two challenges improves cellular
when delivering vaccines internalization
▪ Enzymes: destroys (endocytosis =
mRNA engulphment)
▪ Membrane barrier: o Nanotechnology can be a
difficult for the mRNA to powerful tool in treating
cross the barrier ischemic and hemorrhagic
o Nanoparticles help protect the stroke
mRNA from the enzymes and it ▪ Nanomedicine
also helps transport the mRNA enhances thrombolysis
to the target cells (breakdown od clots) in
- New research ischemic stroke, limits
o Medically assisted reproductive bleeding in hemorrhagic
technology stroke, reduces
▪ Helps with infertility neuronal death, and
 improves the diagnosis- inert nature, not
prognosis attacked by the immune
- Applications system
o Miniaturizing surgery o Powering
o Tissue reconstruction ▪ Metabolize local glucose
o Eliminating all common and oxygen for energy
diseases, all the medical pain ▪ Clinical environment
and suffering acoustic energy
- Medical application of nanotechnology o Communication
- Defined as the repair, construction, and ▪ Broadcast acoustic type
control of human biological systems messages
using devices built upon nanotechnology ▪ Device similar to an
standards ultra sound probe
- Cell Repair Machines ▪ Acoustic sensors
o Medical nano robots (molecular ▪ Internal communication
technology and AI) network
o Will change medicine at its o Navigation:
foundations ▪ A navigational network
o A system including with station keeping
nanocomputers, and molecular navigational elements
scale sensors and tools, providing high
programmed to repair damage positional accuracy
to cells and tissues ▪ Accurate positions could
o A fundamental breakthrough: be reported to the
these machines will free physician using the
medicine from the reliance of internal communication
self repair as the only path to network
healing o Applications
o Selective destruction: example ▪ Drug delivery
cancerous cells, recognize and • A sophisticated
destroy a specific kind of cell ways
o Nature’s own cell repair • Target specific,
machines are limited in their enable the use
ability of lower doses
o Size of medicine
▪ Micron scale robot with • Side effects may
nanoscale parts, parts be minimized
would be from 1 to and stronger
100nm, the actual medicine could
machine would be 0.5 to be used
3 microns • Trigger based,
o Bio compatibility will release
▪ Passive diamond medicine when
coating, because of its
 needed (insulin machinery for
delivery) metabolism, the
▪ Correcting genetic water is
disorders displaced using
• Comparing the other molecular
strand of devices)
nucleotides • Reversing bio
segment by stasis (when it is
segment time to wake
• changing the the patient up,
nucleotides the process of
within a DNA so resuscitation is
that it matches started by the
a correct doctor, repair
pattern machines
▪ Anesthesia plus remove packing
• Interrupting around
metabolism of molecules
the body for replace it with
hours, days, or water and
years resulting unblock the
in a condition of metabolic
bio stasis (a machinery;
stoppage or astronauts as a
stable state) one way travel)
• Bio stasis - Medical Field
provides deep o Nanoflares
anesthesia, ▪ Bind to genetic targets
thereby in cancer cells and
physicians can generate light when
work for more found
time o Drug delivery
• Used in the case ▪ Deliver medication
of emergencies directly to cancer cells
• Can be achieved ▪ Minimize damage to
using molecular healthy tissue
machines ▪ Reduce toxic effects of
(molecular chemotherapy
machines ▪ Nanoparticle can
injected into the encapsulate or
blood stream otherwise help to
enter each cell, deliver medication
block the directly to cancer cells
molecular and minimize the risk of
 damage to healthy Spinal cord
tissue injuries
▪ This has the potential to ▪ Metal-based
change the way doctors nanoparticles
treat cancer specifically gold
o Gold nanoparticles nanoparticles are
▪ Detect disease/cancer encapsulated and then
at a very early stage put into the region of a
• Used as probes defective bone. It allows
for the tissue regeneration and
detection of it creates scaffolds or
targeted support for new tissue
sequences of growth.
nucleic acids to
Food Industry
detect
disease/cancer - Nanosilver
at a very early o Antibacterial properties
stage ▪ Food contact materials:
▪ Potential treatment for cutting boards
cancer - Nanosized carriers
• Being clinically o Absorption of nutrients
investigated o Food supplements, nanosized
▪ Add fluorescent protein carriers increase absorption of
= diagnose which type nutrients
of cancer - Nanosensors
▪ Add antibodies = quick o Monitor quality and shelf life of
diagnosis of flu virus food from manufacturers to
• Gold consumers
nanoparticles o Can be incorporated into
that have packaging
antibodies - Nanosize salt
attached can o Tasty food with less salt
provide quick o Make food ingredient tastier or
diagnosis of flu healthier like carving up a salt
virus into a nanosize increases surface
o Regenerative medicine area
▪ Bone and neural tissue
Other applications of nanotechnology
engineering
▪ Mimic nanoparticles - Reduction of pollutants
• Restoration of o Silver nanoclusters
degenerated ▪ Reduce polluting
tissues byproducts from the
• Graphene production of propylene
nanoribbons: oxide (propylene oxide
 is used to produce - The Philippines have seen the rapid
common materials such growth of technological advancements
as plastics, paint, amidst the waves from the Fourth
detergents, and brake Industrial Revolution era (FIRe). In the
fluid. year 2009, the Department of Science
- Generation of electricity and Technology (DOST) formally
o Silicon nanowires acknowledged the field of
▪ An array of silicon nanotechnology as one of the priorities
nanowires embedded in for Research and Development (R&D)
a polymer results in low initiatives. A group of interdisciplinary
cost but highly efficient local scientists was gathered to develop
solar cells a strategic roadmap for nanotechnology
▪ High efficiency solar from the year 2017-2022.
cells - Priority areas of the strategic roadmap
o Converts sunlight to electricity for nanotechnology:
more efficiently o Semiconductor
▪ Nanotechnology can be o Information and communication
incorporated into solar technology
panels to convert o Energy
sunlight to electricity o Agriculture
more efficiently o Health
o Bionanotechnology o Environment
▪ Cleaner production of - The Philippines is reported to have
alternative and established 6 companies that have
renewable energy developed 23 products in the fields of
sources o Automotive
- Agriculture o Medicine
o Breeding of crops with higher o Construction
micronutrients to detect pests o Textile
and control food processing o Home appliance
o Control soil, water, and air - The growing novel nanotechnology
contamination products in the Philippines are
- Surfaces surprisingly unsupported by low patent
o Graphene = one-layer coating applications, therefore increasing
material funding for nanotechnology would
o Heat-resistant and self-cleaning increase the number of potential patent
surfaces applications
o Silicon dioxide & titanium - In the next years, the top efforts for
dioxide research would focus on the following
▪ Water and stain areas:
resistant surfaces o Bioactive nanostructures for
drug delivers
Status of Nanotechnology in the Philippines
o Improved imaging techniques
o Filtration using nanomaterials
 o Applications for nanoparticles Water treatment - Nanomembranes
and nanocomposites and remediation for water
purification,
Summary of the different applications of desalination, and
materials and nanotechnology in different detoxification
industries. (DOST-PCIEERD) - Nanosensors for
the detection of
Sector Applications
contaminants
Energy storage, - Photovoltaic cells and pathogens
production, and and organic light- - Nanoporous
conversion emitting devices zeolites,
based on nanoporous
quantum dots polymers, and
- Carbon attapulgite clays
nanotubes for water
(graphene) in purification
composite film - Magnetic
coatings for solar particles for
cells water treatment
- Superconductors and remediation
- Solid oxide - Sensors for heavy
electrochemical materials and
cells wastes
- Lithium ion
Healthcare - Nanocapsules,
batteries
liposomes,
Agricultural - Nanoporous dendrimers
productivity zeolites for slow- buckyballs,
enhancement release and nanobiomagnets,
efficient water and attapulgits
and fertilizers for clays for slow and
plants, and of sustained drug
nutrients and release systems
drugs for - Quantum dots
livestock for disease
- Nanocapsules for diagnosis
herbicide - Would healing
delivery - 3D printing for
- Nanosensors for skin
soil quality and
Semiconductor - Nanosilica in
plant health
concrete
monitoring
- Recovery of
- Nanomagnets for
metal from waste
removal of soil
solutions
contaminants
- Advanced filters
- Plasma
technologies for
harvest The Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and
Emerging Technology Research and ▪ Nano-enabled
Development (DOST-PCIEERD) identified and immunoarray,
classified key research areas per industry nanoparticle coatings
according to immediate financial and economic - Sustainable Environment
impact to the country, availability of local skill o Government as customer for city
and knowledge base, and present status of the rehabilitation, environmental
product/technological development in the sustainability initiatives,
Philippines. renewable energy
o Problems
- Rail
▪ NOX absorption
o Government as customer for
▪ Solar power
PUVs, Rail, electric vehicles
▪ CO2 Combustion
o Problems
▪ Radiant surface
▪ wear and tear
insulation
▪ Composite/ Lightweight
o Solution
Materials
▪ Nanocatalysts, nano-
o Solution
structured spray
▪ Nanocoating,
coatings
nanoenabled lubricants
▪ Nano-structured spray
and engine oils, wear
coatings, organic
resistant alloy
photovoltaics
▪ Nano-composites,
▪ Reversible adhesives
nano-crystalline metals,
allowing material
aerogels, nanofoams,
separation demolition,
nano-structured light
nanocement, recyclable
metals, polymers, nano-
advanced alloys
structured spray
▪ Nano-structured spray
coatings, polycarbonate
coating, nano-enabled
protective glass
paints, polycarbonate
- Food
glass, aerogels, nano-
o Government as customer for
foams
relief distribution, military
- Aerospace
rations, food sustainability
o Government as customer for
o Problems
defense
▪ Agri production
o Problems
▪ Food packaging
▪ Composite/lightweight
▪ Safety, shelf life
materials
o Solution
▪ Inflexible mfg process
▪ Nanosensors,
▪ Casting/fanning tech
nanoenabled
▪ Long delivery cycle
biosenseors, nano
o Solution
emulsion (delivery)
▪ Nanostructured metals,
▪ Nano-composite,
carbon nanotubes,
nanofiber, nano
emulsion, nanoclay
 nanoclays, nanofibers, membrane, solar energy
graphene, nanocoatings cikkectubg wubdiws,
▪ Thermoplastics and nano-liquid battery,
carbon reinforced nano-graphite fuel cell
plastics ▪ Nano-composites,
▪ Superalloys and nano-crystalline metals,
advanced metals aerogels, nanofoams,
- ICT/ Semiconductor nano-structured light
o Government as customer for metals, polymers, nano-
communication, data storage, IT structured spray
infrastructure coatings, polycarbonate
o Problems protective glass
▪ Miniaturizing ▪ Nano infused
▪ Power management supercapacitors
▪ Wireless low power ▪ easy to recycle
▪ Heat management advanced alloys,
o Solution recycling waste
▪ SNT, thermal materials, materials
phase-change materials
Dangers of Nanotechnology
▪ Carbon nanotube,
electromagnetic - It is no doubt that nanotechnology is
resonance, quantum helping address some of the global
caged atoms challenges that we are encountering
▪ Piezo-electrics such as in global energy supply by
▪ NEMS, graphene, providing sustainable, efficient solar
memory technologies, energy and many more (e.g. batteries
printed electronics, out of twisted carbon nanotubes, cell
quantum dots patches that generate electricity form
- Automotive-Electric Vehicle lactic acid in the sweat); and rapid
o Government as customer for urbanization in our need for lighter,
PUVs, Rail, electric vehicles stronger materials for infrastructure and
o Problems transportation
▪ Battery - Health
▪ Composite/lightweight o Lung damage
materials ▪ Since nanoparticles are
▪ Quick charging, charging “ultra-fine” particles,
infrastructure there is a tendency that
▪ Sustainable it may be inhaled and
manufacturing could damage the lungs
o Solution ▪ Inhaled nanoparticles
▪ Enhanced electrolytes, may carry other
cathode nanocoatings, chemical including
silicon nanowired, metals and
mesoporous silica hydrocarbons
 o Cell damage and damage to DNA ▪ Fine carbon particles
▪ Nanoparticles can get - Problems in its risk assessment
into the body through o Difficult to detect
the skin, lungs, and o Difficult to predict how particles
digestive system behave in the environment
▪ This may help create o Potential to adsorb toxic
‘free radicals’ which can chemicals
cause cell damage and o Persistence
damage to the DNA ▪ Unknown longevity
(Free radicals are types - Ethical dilemmas
of unstable molecules o Playing God
that are made during ▪ Creating perfect people;
normal cell metabolism) free from diseases and
o Immunosuppression cancer
▪ Inhaled carbon o Risk and harm in patients while
nanotubes can suppress testing
the immune system by - Other issues
affecting the function of o Sentient machines and robots
T cells (T cells are ▪ Sentient: feelings
responsible for o Grey goo
activating our immune ▪ A hypothetical global
system and protecting catastrophic scenario
us from foreign involving
particles) nanotechnology in
- Environment (Nano Contaminants: which out-of-control
wastes produced when we are using self-replicating
nanoscopic devices and materials) machines consume all
o Mining living things on earth
▪ Fine metal oxide while building more of
particles themselves (ecophagy)
o Combustion ▪ A term used to describe
▪ Soot/carbon, fly ash, what like on our planet
fullerenes might become if self-
o Laundry replicating robots or
▪ Silver nanoparticles, nanomachines got out
metal oxide of control and began to
nanoparticles use up life forms for
o Medicine their own energy needs
▪ Silver nanoparticles, in some unstoppable
gold nanoparticles way
o Auto-traffic o Eugenics
▪ Pyrenamine and ▪ Breeding out; excluding
platinum nanoparticles people and groups; is
o Battery waste the advocacy of
 improving the human membranes which
species by selectively makes the rate of
mating people with absorption very high in
desirable hereditary organisms
traits and aiming to • Causes
reduce human suffering breathing
by “breeding out” problems and
diseases and disabilities. other health
problems
Impacts of Nanotechnology on the Environment
• Nanoparticles
- Nanoparticles can improve the can enter the
efficiencies of energy sources body through
- Nanotechnology does not play a big part lungs, digestive
in saving the environment right now system and skin
- Nanomaterials still need to be studied a • Nanoparticles
lot more to find out how they affect the can build up in
world around them. the blood,
- Why is nanotechnology bad for the kidneys and
environment? other important
o It can change ecosystems, and it body parts
may also have bad effects on - How does nanotechnology help the
organisms environment?
o Increase Environmental toxicity o Nanotechnology can help the
▪ Nanoparticles have a lot environment be safe
of surface area for their o Remediation of pollution
size ▪ Nanotechnology as a
▪ Most nanoparticles are way to produce new
easy for plants and clean sources of energy
animals to take up o Improved water quality
▪ Make soil more toxic if ▪ Nanoparticles makes
they aren’t used the water pollutants
right way harmless
• Using ▪ Silver nanoparticles and
nanoparticles carbon nanotubes
on fertilizers can ▪ Nanofiltration is a
change the soil process to clean water
ecosystem that is contaminated
▪ The way nanoparticles • A lot more
are used can have an effective
effect on the ▪ Nanofabrics for oil spills
environment o Detection of environmental
o Bioaccumulation pollutants
▪ Easy for nanomaterials
to pass through cell
 ▪ Nanosensors can detect ▪ So that plants can be
pollutants at the atomic resistant to things that
level hurt them
• Nanosensors ▪ For plants to live in
can tell if different conditions
pesticides, o Plant disease diagnosis
heavy metals, o Nanotechnology in post-harvest
radioactive management
elements, and ▪ Seeds last longer
other harmful ▪ Can help food stay fresh
compounds are longer
in the air. o Nanotechnology in animal
- What is environmental breeding and animal health
nanotechnology? ▪ To cure sick animal
o Environmental nanotechnology ▪ Easier and animals
is the use of environmental - Disadvantages
principles to keep the o Bioaccumulation
environment safe and clean ▪ Nanoparticles can build
- Nanotechnology has an effect in up on the bodies of
economy animals which can cause
o Increased agricultural health problems
production o Unpredictability
o Low-cost energy production o Phyto-toxicity
o Improved manufacturing ▪ Inhibits plant growth
techniques - Nanotechnology promotes sustainable
- Nanotechnology can help protect the agriculture
environment. However, some -
nanoparticles can harm the environment
and the people who live in it.

Nanotechnology in Farming

- Manipulation of nanoparticles to
increase agricultural production
- Nanotechnology helped farmers to plant
crops without harming the plant
- Benefits
o Nano-based agrochemicals
▪ Fertilizers: nano copper,
nano nitrogen
▪ Kill weeds without
hurting the crops
o Nanotechnology for genetic
plant engineering