Nanotechnology Information

With international contributions from experts in the field this unique book reflects the inherent multi-disciplinary nature of nano-scale research in construction and contributions cover a wide spectrum, from highly scientific investigations to futuristic applications. Nanotechnology is concerned with objects between 1 and 100nm in size.( Nano meter) 1 Nanometer – 1 x 10-9m. Applications of nano technology in civil engineering are numerous. Some of the applications are elaborated below. Nanotechnology initially developed in the fields of physics and chemistry, and most fundamental developments still occur in these fields. Nanotechnology also needs to be applied in areas such as the engineering field. Obviously, the application of nanotechnology to science and engineering has increased in other fields over the years. One area which is one of the most active research areas in the field of nanotechnology is civil engineering. For decades, engineers have sought to build more efficient electronic devices by reducing the size of their components. In the process of doing so, however, researchers have reached a “thermal bottleneck,” said Argonne nanoscientist Anirudha Sumant.”The common link between these experiments is that we’re finding new ways of dissipating heat more effectively while using less energy, which is the key,” Sumant said. “These processes are crucial for industry as they look for ways to overcome conventional limits on semiconducting circuits and pursue the next generation of electronics.”Cylindrical specimens were prepared using PVC pipe, 1.25 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm in length. The samples were mixed with water, cast in the PVC pipe molds, and covered with thin glass plates. Cured for one day at room temperature and then for 6 days in a moist curing room. Following the 7-day curing period, the samples were removed and allowed to dry. Some specimens fractured during the curing process and therefore, could not be tested. Load and strain data were recorded using data acquisition software. The loading rate was set at 0.3 inches/minute

Single-cell targeting is one of the most touted advantages of nanomedicine, and our approach delivers on that promise with a localized effect inside an individual cell,” said Rice physicist Dmitri Lapotko, the lead researcher on the project. “The idea is to spot and treat unhealthy cells early, before a disease progresses to the point of making people extremely ill. Nano-bubbles involving high potential for engineering use have been not available because of lack of technologies for manufacturing and stabilizing. We have successfully produced and made stable nano-bubbles by collapsing micro-bubbles in water containing electrolyte ions. The stabilization may be attributed to electrostatic expulsion of charges concentrated in bubble interfaces, and to concentrated ions acting as shells enclosing bubbles. Water containing ozone nano-bubbles retains sterilizing effects for over a month, while that saturated with oxygen nano-bubbles has bio-active effects. These effects may be utilized for medical treatment and food processing as well as for agriculture and fishery. The theory behind the patent is that hydrogen bubbles at a nano scale can be dispersed and stored in water. This water in turn can be stored in a container at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures. These hydrogen nano bubbles then can be released for use in hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cells. So essentially these nano scale water bubbles are filled with hydrogen at very high pressures, up to 43,500 pounds per square inch before being released. This “juiced” water, however, does not have to be stored any differently than a combustible liquid such as gasoline. A man holds a bottle containing ‘nano bubble water’ in front sea bream and carp which are kept together in the same aquarium during the Nano Tech exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and REO developed the world’s first ‘nano bubble water’ technology that allows both fresh-water fish and saltwater fish to live in the same water.

Nano Textiles” can be produced by a variety of methods. The key difference among them is whether synthetic nanoparticles are integrated into the fibres or the textile, or are applied as a coating on the surface, and/or whether nanoparticles are added to the nanoscale fibres or coating. However, information about manufacturing methods, the nanomaterials themselves and the quantities used, as well as the “life cycle” of the “nano-treated” textile for sale is largely unavailable to the consumer. Development of metrology tools based on scanning probe microscopy customized to assess nanoscale phenomena on low energy surfaces with high radius of curvature such as those of textile fibers. The group is pioneering the use of electric force microscopy as a probing tool to quantitatively determine the effect of electrical charge degradation on the filtration performance of electret filter media. They also use a novel Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy AFAM to probe the mechanical properties of nanofibers. Fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton provide desirable properties such as absorbency, breathability and softness. But, their applications often are limited owing to their lack of strength, durability, dirt resistance, flame resistance etc. Fabrics made with synthetic fibers, while generally much stronger than fabrics of natural fibers, lacks the comfort properties of cotton fabrics. The technology, utilising materials a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair, is showing up in everything from auto parts to sunscreens and clothing (1,2). However, nanotechnology has been used to improve products that most of us use every day. These include laundry detergent, 6-pack rings, and surgical tools. One of the most widespread applications of nanotechnology is in clothing. Nanotechnology is also called a “bottom up” technology owing to using such small-scale building units, in contrast to bulky material engineering that is considered a “top down” approach.

The potential of nanotechnology is huge and can lead to tremendous miniaturization in wider areas like space systems, medical diagnostic equipments and drug delivery systems. The future of nanotechnology is completely uncharted territory. It is almost impossible to predict everything that nanoscience will bring to the world considering that this is such a young science. There is the possibility that the future of nanotechnology is very bright, that this will be the one science of the future that no other science can live without. There is also a chance that this is the science that will make the world highly uncomfortable with the potential power to transform the world. Descriptions of nanotech typically characterize it purely in terms of the minute size of the physical features with which it is concerned–assemblies between the size of an atom and about 100 molecular diameters. That depiction makes it sound as though nanotech is merely looking to use infinitely smaller parts than conventional engineering. But at this scale, rearranging the atoms and molecules leads to new properties. Over the next couple of decades, nanotech will evolve through four overlapping stages of industrial prototyping and early commercialization. The first one, which began after 2000, involves the development of passive nanostructures: materials with steady structures and functions often used as parts of a product. New bicycles that are much more robust and still much lighter than most bikes today are but one example. Tennis rackets, skis and golf clubs are other items for which nanotechnology offers great advantages over graphite in strength, durability and weight. The new technology is also being used to make longer-lasting batteries. Today, there are more than 500 products on the market that use nanotechnology in one way or another. There is a possibility that the future of nanotechnology could also be the end of the science. There is a great burden on the scientists of nanotechnology. These men and women have to be able to keep the progress in play while keeping the interest in nanotechnology alive despite the potential limitations.

Now a day, nanotechnology seems to be of great advantage as we are increasing its use day by day. We are using it in electronics, medicine, medical surgery, food, packing, lightening, clothes etc. But with all the good any science can do, there is always the capability of engineering evil potential. There is a system of checks and balances in place to help prevent the mishandling of scientific research and capabilities. Despite the possibilities and the advancements that the Nanotechnology offers to the world, there also exist certain severe discussions on the prevalence of the Nanotechnology in the world. So, the world has recently anticipated of the potential risks involved with the disadvantages of it. Few of which are mentioned here.
1) Development is the possible loss of jobs in the traditional farming and manufacturing industry.
2) Atomic weapons now has become more accessible with nanotechnology, and made to be more powerful and more destructive. On industrial-scale manufacturing and use of nanomaterials would have on human health and the environment. Nanoparticles could potentially have a toxic effect.
3) Mass production of nanotechnology material may or may not be possible. Should nanotechnology actually be able to procure an honest and true molecular manufacturing machine for every household how would the world’s economy survive?
4) The potential for mass poisoning over a period of time. They may very well cause eventual health problems in the consumers that use them i.e. health effects could be at large scale. Inhaled nanoparticles may settle in the brain and lungs, which may led to significant increases in biomarkers for inflammation and stress response.
5) Lack of our own knowledge about nanotechnology makes it pretty difficult to manufacture. We know that we can create materials with nanotechnology but we still have to stop and understand the impact of the creation of these products will have on the nanoscale. Nanoscience is the science of the extremely small, so the properties of materials change dramatically. Factors such as Brownian motion, surface stickiness and quantum effects become important.
6) Nanotechnology is very expensive and developing it can cost you a lot of money as to generate and assemble its particles in different form needs many technologies.

We might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption using nanoelectronics. Here we outline areas in Nanotechnology with specific impact on semiconductors, passive components, display materials, packaging and interconnection. Building transistors from carbon nanotubes to enable minimum transistor dimensions of a few nanometers and developing techniques to manufacture integrated circuits built with nanotube transistors. Imagine doping a Carbon or Silicon nanotube, coating it with differently doped materials, assembling it in an array. Combining gold nanoparticles with organic molecules to create a transistor known as a Nanoparticle Organic Memory Field-Effect Transistor. Using magnetic quantum dots in spintronic semiconductor devices. Spintronic devices are expected to be significantly higher density and lower power consumption. Using carbon nanotubes to direct electrons to illuminate pixels, resulting in a lightweight, millimeter thick “nanoemmissive” display panel. The quality of display screens has improved a lot while its size became very thick, decreased weight and reduced power consumption. It Keeps pollution under control. Molecular electronics is one of the branch of nanotechnology which deals with the applications and construction of nano building blocks that are used in electronic circuit manufacturing and desgin. It is sometimes called as moletronics. It deals with the substance which are considered to be un explorable in the field of electronics. It also implements all the major laws of electronics in the practical ground basis so that original implementation of theoratical frame work can be seen. Many major components in the field of chemistry, physics, biological science and electronics are the gift of molecular electronics. With the help of this wonderful technology the building blocks of structures can be used in intense and complex fabrications of intergrated circuits. As an electronics consumer, there does not appear to be a great risk of exposure to nanomaterials since ENPs are generally embedded in a matrix housed inside the product. Alternatively, the risk for exposure is different for nanomaterials coated on the outside of products.

Nanotechnology has great potential to positively impact the food sector through improvement of existing products and development of new ones. Research is in progress to allow realization of the full potential of nanotechnology. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers. Clay nanocomposites are being used to provide an impermeable barrier to gasses such as oxygen or carbon dioxide in lightweight bottles, cartons and packaging films.Naturally occurring nanoparticles can be found in many existing food products e.g. milk & fruit juices. Some man-made nanoparticles do have a history of safe use in food e.g. emulsions & powders. Interactive” foods are being developed that would allow you to choose the desired flavor and color. Nanocapsules that contain flavor or color enhancers are embedded in the food; inert until a hungry consumer triggers them. Rapid testing for contaminates in food may also be done using nanotechnology.several different nanomaterials currently being explored for their potential applications in food products, including microemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanofibers. Food nanostructures include things like crystalline blocklets of amylopectin molecules (which serve as building blocks for starch granules) and clusters of chlorophyll molecules embedded in lipid bilayers (which serve as building blocks for chloroplasts). some of food’s most important raw materials—proteins, starches, and fats—undergo structural changes at the nanometer and micrometer scales during normal food processing. the implications of the latter for adding unique value to foods with respect to nutrition/health and gastronomy/pleasure. In Australia for instance, nanocapsules are used to add Omega-3 fatty acids to one of the country’s most popular brands of white bread. The nano-sized self-assembled structured liquids (NSSL) technology allows for encapsulation of nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and essential oils and drugs in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

A sensor is a device that responds to a stimulus by generating a functional output induced by a change in some intrinsic properties. We are surrounded by sensors and sensing networks that monitor a multitude of parameters in view of enhancing our safety and quality of life. Sensors assist us in health care and diagnostics, they monitor our environment, our aeroplanes and automobiles, our mobile phones, game consoles and watches, and last but not least, many of our human body functions. Modern sensing systems have greatly benefited in recent decades from advances in microelectronics and microengineering. Nanotechnology can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors. These detecting elements change their electrical characteristics, such as resistance or capacitance, when they absorb a gas molecule. Because of the small size of nanotubes, nanowires, or nanoparticles, a few gas molecules are sufficient to change the electrical properties of the sensing elements. This allows the detection of a very low concentration of chemical vapors. The goal is to have small, inexpensive sensors that can sniff out chemicals just as dogs are used in airports to smell the vapors given off by explosives or drugs. An obvious application is to mount these sensors throughout an airport, or any facility with security concerns, to check for vapors given off by explosive device. Advances in thin film techniques and chemical synthesis have allowed material properties to be tailored to sensing requirements for enhanced performance. These bottom-up fabrication techniques enable parallel fabrication of ordered nanostructures, often in domain-like areas with molecular precision. At the same time the progress in top-down methods such as scanning probe lithography, nanoimprint lithography, soft-lithography and stencil lithography have also facilitated research into sensing and actuating nanotechnology. Although radically different from each other, these techniques represent a formidable toolset for structuring materials at the nanoscale in a multitude of fashions. Sensors support applications across the economy – industrial processes, and those in construction, extractive industries, agriculture, health care and so on – and can be incorporated into new or existing products.

Nanotechnology is widely used in these days. Few nanotechnology applications are Nano wires. Nanowires are ultrafine wires or linear arrays of dots, formed by self-assembly. They can be made from a wide range of materials. Semiconductor nanowires made of silicon, gallium nitride and indium phosphide posses remarkable optical, electronic and magnetic characteristics. Nanoparticle silicate nanolayer and nanotubes can be used as reinforced filler not only to increase mechanical properties of nanocomposites but also to impart new properties. surface coating with nanometre thickness of nanomaterial can be used to improve properties like wear and scratch-resistant, optoelectonics, hydrophobic properties.current cutting tools (e.g mill machine tools) are made using a sort of metal nanocomposites such as tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide and titanium carbide that have more wear and erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional materials. More performed paint using nanoparticles to improve paint properties. Fuel cells: could use nano-engineered membranes to catalytic processes for improve efficiency of small-scale fuel cells.Displays: new class of display using carbon nanotubes as emission device for the next generation of monitor and television .Using nanotechnology based knowledge may be produce more efficient, lightweight, high-energy density batteries. Nanoparticles can be used as fuel additivities and catalytic more efficient materials. It is prominant in manufacturing of Computer chips,Information storage,Sensors. Nanotechnology applications in bio-nanotechnology, nanomedicine and Medical Imaging for diagnosis. One of the most potential applications of nanotechnology might be related to gene and drug delivery system on order to improve therapy efficacy. Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells to produce hydrogen ions from fuel such as methanol and to improve the efficiency of membranes used in fuel cells to separate hydrogen ions from other gases. Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors.

The use of nanotechnology in the field of medicine could revolutionize the way we detect and treat damage to the human body and disease in future.The first field is implants and prosthetics. With the advent of new materials, and the synergy of nanotechnologies and biotechnologies, it could be possible to create artificial organs and implants that are more akin to the original, through cell growth on artificial scaffolds or biosynthetic coatings that increase biocompatibility and reduce rejection.

Many researchers attach ethylene glycol molecules to nanoparticles that deliver therapeutic drugs to cancer tumors. The ethylene glycol molecules stop white blood cells from recognizing the nanoparticles as foreign materials, to circulate in the blood stream to attach to cancer tumors.
Researchers are also continuing to look for more effective methods to target nanoparticles carrying threputic drugs directly to diseased cells. For example scientists are MIT have demonstrated increased levels of drugs delivery to tumors by using two types of nanoparticles. The first type of nanoparticle locates the cancer tumor and the second type of nanoparticle homes in on a signal generated by the first type of nanoparticle.

Nanoparticles may be used to stimulate an immune response to fight respiratory viruses.Nanotechnology medical developments over the coming years will have a wide variety of uses and could potentially save a great number of lives. Nanotechnology is already moving from being used in passive structures to active structures, through more targeted drug therapies or “smart drugs.” These new drug therapies are more effective than traditional therapies. Nanotechnology will also aid in the formation of molecular systems similar to living systems. Nanoparticles, when activated by x-rays, that generate electrons that cause the destruction of cancer cells to which they have attached themselves. This is intended to be used in place radiation therapy with much less damage to healthy tissue. Nanobiotix has released preclinical results for this technique.
Nanofibers can stimulate the production of cartilage in damaged joints.