“Nanotechnology is Manufacturing With ATOMS”. However, Nanotechnology can mean different things to different people such as Researchers, Industrialists and Others. From Enthusiastic to Skeptical, the responses reflect a variety of perspectives. Infact the most common definition is “The design, characterization, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlled manipulation of size and shape at the nanometer scale (atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scale) that produces structures, devices, and systems with at least one novel/superior characteristic or property “.
The impact of Nanotechnology is expected to exceed the impact that the Electronics Revolution has had on our lives. Most of the “Nanotechnology” products that are in the Market today are gradually improved products, where some form of nanotechnology enabled material or nanotechnology process is used in the manufacturing process. In their ongoing quest to improve existing products by creating smaller components and better performance materials, all at a lower cost, the number of companies that will manufacture “nanoproducts” (by this definition) will grow very fast and soon make up the majority of all companies across many Industries. Nanotechnology should therefore be viewed as a process that gradually will affect most Companies and Industries.
An omni-linked world populated with intelligent artifacts will bring sweeping changes to virtually every facet of modern life – from science and education to industry and commerce – leaving no segment of society unaffected by its advance. Few applications of Nanotechnology that will bring changes in future are summed up here:
Sunscreens and Cosmetics: Nano sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are currently used in some sunscreens as they absorb and reflect ultraviolet (UV) rays and yet are transparent to visible light and so are more appealing to the consumers. Nano sized iron oxide is present in some lipsticks as a pigment but currently it is not used by European Cosmetics Sector. The use of nanoparticles in cosmetics has raised a number of concerns about consumer safety.
Composites: An important use of nanoparticles and nanotubes is in composites, materials that combine one or more separate components and which are designed to exhibit overall the best properties of each component. This multi-functionality applies not only to mechanical properties, but extends to optical, electrical and magnetic ones. Currently, carbon fibres and bundles of multi-walled CNTs are used in polymers to control or enhance conductivity, with applications such as antistatic packaging. The use of individual CNTs in composites is a potential long-term application.
Clays: Clays containing naturally occurring nanoparticles have long been important as construction materials and are undergoing continuous improvement. Clay particle based composites – containing plastics and nano-sized flakes of clay – are also finding applications such as use in car bumpers.
Coatings and Surfaces : Coatings with thickness controlled at the nano- or atomic scale have been in routine production for some time, for example in molecular beam epitaxy or metal oxide chemical vapor deposition for optoelectonic devices, or in catalytically active and chemically functionalized surfaces. Recently developed applications include the self-cleaning window.
Tougher and Harder Cutting Tools: Cutting tools made of nanocrystalline materials, such as tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide and titanium carbide, are more wear and erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional (large-grained) counterparts. They are finding applications in the drills used to bore holes in circuit boards.
Paints: Incorporating nanoparticles in paints could improve their performance, for example by making them lighter and giving them different properties.
Remediation: In one pilot study the large surface area and high surface reactivity of iron nanoparticles were exploited to transform chlorinated hydrocarbons (some of which are believed to be carcinogens) into less harmful end products in groundwater. The potential of nanoparticles to react with pollutants in soil and groundwater and transform them into harmless compounds is being researched.
Fuel Cells: Engineered surfaces are essential in fuel cells, where the external surface properties and the pore structure affect performance.
Displays : The huge market for large area, high brightness, flat-panel displays, as used in television screens and computer monitors, is driving the development of some nanomaterials. Nanocrystalline zinc selenide, zinc sulphide, cadmium sulphide and lead telluride synthesized by sol–gel techniques are candidates for the next generation of light-emitting phosphors.
Batteries : With the growth in portable electronic equipment (mobile phones, navigation devices, laptop computers, remote sensors), there is great demand for lightweight, high-energy density batteries. Nanocrystalline materials synthesized by sol–gel techniques are candidates for separator plates in batteries because of their foam-like (aerogel) structure, which can hold considerably more energy than conventional ones.
Fuel Additives: Research is underway into the addition of Nanoparticulate ceria (cerium oxide) to diesel fuel to improve fuel economy by reducing the degradation of fuel consumption over time.
Catalysts: In general, Nanoparticles have a high surface area, and hence provide higher Catalytic Activity.
Nanotechnology’s potential is vast and it’s real. The opportunity for Nanotechnology ranges from improving Olympic sports equipments to discovering better treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. But the capability to reap the long term benefits of Nanotechnology in areas like Energy production & Medicine will depend on how well Industry & Govt. manage the safety & performance of the 1st generation of Nanotechnology products.
This pair of images shows the before-and-after comparison of the part of comet Tempel 1 that was hit by the impactor from NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft. Image credit: