Daily Archives: April 14, 2023

Nanotechnology Atom and Molecule - Abstract background

We are living amid a technological revolution that is transforming the globe. Changes are visible in all aspects of our lives from transportation, health, and communications. As the adage states, yesterdays science fiction is todays science. We are now expanding our capabilities in every area of science, chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. That includes heightened spae exploration, as well as building smart cities, new manufacturing hubs, and developing artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

The rapid pace of technological change is clearly visible, but much of what you may not see, the exceedingly small physical components of change called nanotechnologies, are catalyzing the revolution. While there are many nanotech uses, three areas of nanotech are paving the way to our future: Materials Science, Nanomedicine and Device Engineering.

A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is integration device with several laboratory functions

What is Nanotechnology?

The concept of nanotechnology was derived in 1959 by Nobel prize physicist Richard Feynman in a speech at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). As further and more contemporarily defined by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale, at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Matter can exhibit unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanoscale, differing in important ways from the properties of bulk materials, single atoms, and molecules. Some nanostructured materials are stronger or have different magnetic properties compared to other forms or sizes of the same material. Others are better at conducting heat or electricity. They may become more chemically reactive, reflect light better, or change color as their size or structure is altered. About Nanotechnology | National Nanotechnology Initiative

Dr. Tom Cellucci, who, before he was appointed the First Chief Commercialization Officer of the United States by President George W. Bush (and re-appointed by President Obama), was an instrumental person in the creation of the NNI before he entered government service. He was determined, working with all three branches of the US Government, to get the $3.9 B in funding for the NNI, in order to start a nanotech revolution in our country and throughout the globe.

Dr. Cellucci offers insights into how nanotech is being integrated into the product development process. Nanotechnology is being safely used today to protect people and structures through a systematic process of understanding detailed operational requirements and utilizing a detailed Technology Development process useable by both government and the private sector. This step-by-step process enables a thorough understanding of customers' requirements and execution of the commercialization of emerging technologies to provide stable and useful products.

Dr. Cellucci has authored or co-authored more than 25 books and over 362 articles on requirements development, commercialization, nanotechnology, laser physics, and photonics. Hes recently turned his sights to working with one of his former undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Mark Banash (PhD Princeton University), at a small firm in the Boston area called JP Industries International, where they are developing and patenting a number of solutions for personal security and infrastructure protection applications using patented nanotech products and systems. More on his background and writings can be found here: (3) The Hon., Thomas A. Cellucci, PhD, MBA | LinkedIn

To get a better understanding of nanotech, its important to focus on the applications of nano particles. Nano particles are functional across a variety of industries and verticals. The graphic below is an excellent summary of those extensive applications:

Applications of Nanoparticles

Source: "Commercial scale production of inorganic nanoparticles"

As nano particles are the building blocks of new discoveries, the graph above highlights many industries and verticals where nanotech may have applications. NNI notes that by using nanotechnology-based principals, materials can be made to be stronger, lighter, more durable, more reactive, and serve as better electrical conductors.

While the list of nanoparticle applications in the graphic are all important, three areas of are areas of nanotech are already impacting our future: 1) Materials Science (Construction), 2) Nanomedicine (and Health), and 3) Device Engineering (Electronics, Wearables).

Atom, Molecule, Molecular Structure, Electron, Proton

Materials Science:

In industry, government and academia, new and exciting research in nano particles and materials science are creating stronger, durable, lighter, and even self-healing and self-assembling materials through nano-scale engineering. Nanomaterials artificially engineered as molecular scale synthetic composites are now being designed at the inter-atomic level.

The capability to use nano-mechanics to design and manufacture infrastructures such as bridges, roads, buildings all with stronger, adaptable, self-intelligent, and seemingly mundane materials will revolutionize the construction and transportation industries. The Department of Energy and Department of Transportation have many programs and initiatives in material sciences in progress.

Via the use of nanoparticles, 3D Printing and 4D Self-assembling Printing are accelerating material science. 3-D Printing is trailblazing future manufacturing by using creations of material science. 3-D Printing connotes a three-dimensional object that is created layer by layer via computer aided design programs. To be able to print the object, the computer divides it into flat layers that are printed one by one. By printing with advanced pliable materials such as plastics, ceramics, metals, and graphene, there have already been breakthroughs in prosthetics for medicine and wearable sensors.

The big advantage for government is that 3-D printing can be customized, produced rapidly and is cost-effective. The possibilities for 3-D printing are limitless. Rolls-Royce has used 3-D printing to make parts for its jet engines, and BAE Systems has stated that fighter jets containing 3-D-printed parts are now being flown.

Nano robot 3D render. Medical concept future.

Nanomedicine:

Nanomedicine is already a thriving area of practice. The term refers to the use of materials at the nanoscale to diagnose and treat disease. Some researchers define nanomedicine as encompassing any medical products using nanomaterials smaller than 1,000 nanometers. Others more narrowly use the term to refer to injectable drugs using nanoparticles smaller than 200 nanometers. Nanoparticles are the future of medicine researchers are experimenting with new ways to design tiny particle treatments for cancer (theconversation.com)

The means of transporting nanomedicine can be done by nanobots. There was a movie made years back called Fantastic Voyage (Fantastic Voyage - Wikipedia). The plot was that a scientist is nearly assassinated and in order to save him, a submarine was shrunken to microscopic size and injected into his bloodstream with a small crew. My former neighbor, the late Dr. Aaron Josephson, of Michael Resse Hospital in Chicago was an advisor to the movie. Although we cannot shrink a crew, we can use nanobots for medical purposes, especially drug delivery. Nanobots are robots that can be used very effectively for drug delivery. Normally, drugs work through the entire body before they reach the disease-affected area. Using nanotechnology, the drug can be targeted to a precise location which would make the drug much more effective and reduce the chances of possible side effect. Nanobots - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Nanotechnologies have created significantly enhanced imaging and diagnostic tools to help enable earlier diagnosis, treatments, and therapeutics. Nanotech is being used to enhance bone and neural tissue engineering. It is also a component involved in the successful implantation of bionic eyes, kidneys, hearts, and other body parts. Advanced pliable materials such as plastics, ceramics, metals, and graphene are also being used for prosthetics for medical applications.

Nanoparticles are also playing an amazing role in the creation of gene sequencing technologies, drug delivery, including vaccines. Nanopore technology has become increasingly important in the field of life science and biomedical research, including genomics. The nanopore technology embeds nano-scale holes in a thin membrane and measures the electrochemical signal to investigate biomacromolecules. Nanopore Technology and Its Applications in Gene Sequencing - PubMed (nih.gov)

3-D Printing manufacturing with nanoparticles also can be used for medicine via bioprinting. Three-dimensional (3-D) Bioprinting means creating living tissues, such as blood vessels, bones, heart or skin, via the additive manufacturing technology.

In a recent interview, Erik Gatenholm, CEO of CELLINK, estimated that we will see fully functioning organs within the next decade or so. Gatenholm added, scientists have been able to bio print hearts, lungs, kidneys, skin, corneas and more throughout the last 5 years and are currently working towards developing full functioning organs. 3D Bioprinting - Overview of How Bioprinting Will Break Into Healthcare (medicalfuturist.com)

3d-bioprinting-tissue-organs

Source: http://www.aniwaa.com

Nanotech is also used as a means of prevention against current and future pandemics. Dr. Mark Banash (PhD, Princeton University; BS University of Pennsylvania), previously mentioned above is considered a leading authority in both nanomaterials and nanotechnology applied to manufacturing and industrial scale applications. Hes the CTO of JP Industries International (About JPI International) and has been leading efforts developing several nanotechnology-based solutions to a wide range of healthcare problems, including those involving personal protection and security with solutions that kills viruses, bacteria, and fungal contaminations on surfaces. Mark and his team also uses nanotech to increase the efficacy and efficiency of PPE protective coatings in for individuals during pandemics and for environmental uses including safer water treatment.

We are already going through biomedical changes like nanotechnology implants that will challenge our notion of technology and people. Nanotech is exploring the edge of science. One such development includes an injectable biosensor that might one day be able to read your thoughts or let you communicate with nothing but your mind. The injectable nanosensor that will one day read your thoughts | BBC Science Focus Magazine

Electronic technician holding tweezers and assemblin a circuit board.

Device Engineering (electronics, wearables):

Nano technologies have led to advancements in device engineering that feature more compact and capable computers. Our smartphones exemplify how far we have come in device engineering via microprocessors and chips used in electrical circuitry. Your smartphone has more computing capabilities that the massive computers used to send astronauts to the moon during the Apollo Space Program.

Nanotechnology is used in electronic devices such as laptops, computers, cell phones, TVs, and electronic sensing and communications which is used in most transportation including, airplanes, trains, and autonomous vehicles. It is also integral to satellites that continually monitor the Earth for environmental, and security purposes.

The field of smart devices and robotics has been transformed by nanotech because of several factors. The appeal of nano-technology for smart devices is broad, with many consumers and developers with different benefits. The appeal comes down to a number of important factors:

1. nanotechnology shrinks the device to a convenient size for the home

2. it increases the performance and intelligence capabilities

3. it allows for new functions within familiar tech for increased potential

4. it provides new surfaces and nano-coatings for strength and high performance

5. it provides safe nano-particles to improve cleanliness and hygiene.

Nanotech and Robotics: Made for Each Other (nanotechetc.com)

An extensive research resource for evolving nanoelectronics applications is summarized below in an article Nanoelectronics; Nanotechnology in Electronics:

Source: Nanoelectronics |Nanotechnology in Electronics (understandingnano.com)

Young female doctor looking at hologram screen. Electronic medical record. Smart glasses. Medical ... [+] technology concept.

Wearables:

A major area of nanotech device engineering is focused on wearables. These include flexible electronics, wrist bands, rings, glasses, ear pods as well as contact lenses that are attachable, wearable, and embedded. The trend of wearable sensors is an emerging one with limitless possibilities for performance, security, and health.

Wearables are being studied and used to monitor health at government run health facilities and can provide real-time biomarker tracking. Wearable technology is helping protect those in public safety. Firefighters can ingest sensors and data-transmitting pills to track their heart rate, which will then send an alert to pull a firefighter out of disaster before cardiac arrest or heat stress sets in. High-tech wearable headsets allow military personnel to live-stream 3-D maps of battlefields and different drone feeds, among other features.

The question is no longer when wearable tech will be available, but how fast, these biometric technologies will extend human /computer interface capabilities and how ingrained in our daily lives that these technologies will become. There are futurists who think that eventually many biological functions will be replaced by nano components operating in bionic machines.

As a cybersecurity advocate, it should be noted that just like mobile devices, wearables can be hacked or infected with malware. Developing protocols for monitoring, testing, and securing critical citizen information will be necessary, especially for public use. In an increasingly connected world, privacy and security will be paramount.

Silicon Wafers and Microcircuits with Automation system control application

Nanotechnologies are fundamental to those technology breakthroughs as we witness and experience the change. According to experts, the global market for Nanotechnology is projected to reach a size of US $70.7 Billion by 2026. Global Nanotechnology Industry (reportlinker.com)

The technological transformation we are experiencing is happening at an exponential rate of change. So fast, in fact, that I must continually update a course called Disruptive Technologies and Organizational Management that I created and teach at Georgetown Universitys Graduate Cybersecurity Risk Management program. Master's in Cybersecurity Risk Management | Georgetown SCS There is hardly a day that goes by when there isnt an article on an innovative technology breakthrough or discovery.

We may not be able to visibly see most of the nano components, but they are certainly impacting our future in a grand way.

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About the Author:

Chuck Brooks on cover of Top Cyber News Magazine

Chuck Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting International, is a globally recognized thought leader and subject matter expert Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies. Chuck is also Adjunct Faculty at Georgetown Universitys Graduate Applied Intelligence Program and the Graduate Cybersecurity Programs where he teaches courses on risk management, homeland security, and cybersecurity. LinkedIn named Chuck as one of The Top 5 Tech People to Follow on LinkedIn. He was named as one of the worlds 10 Best Cyber Security and Technology Experts by Best Rated, as a Top 50 Global Influencer in Risk, Compliance, by Thompson Reuters, Best of The Word in Security by CISO Platform, and by IFSEC and Thinkers 360 as the #2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer. He was featured in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Onalytica "Who's Who in Cybersecurity" as one of the top Influencers for cybersecurity. He has an MA in International relations from the University of Chicago, a BA in Political Science from DePauw University, and a Certificate in International Law from The Hague Academy of International Law.

Chuck Brooks LinkedIn Profile: (6) Chuck Brooks | LinkedIn

Chuck Brooks on Twitter: @ChuckDBrooks

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3 Key Areas Where Nanotechnology Is Impacting Our Future - Forbes

Its nanotech you like it? asks the billionaire superhero Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr., as a metallic liquid crawled to form an armored exoskeleton across his body, activated by the push of his chestplate.

Although this battle scene from Marvels Avengers: Infinity Wars is simply fiction, a number of ambitious advancements in the field of nanotechnology can be equated to scenarios dreamt up only in sci-fi: injected sensors playing doctor inside of your body. Self-healing materials, allowing planes to auto-repair mid flight. A self-harvesting answer to climate change, where objects generate a circular economy of energy through movement.

In fact, youve probably already had a handful of encounters with commercialized atomic innovation, unwittingly. Nanotech, an industry exploring the qualities of matter on the nanoscale, has actually already premiered in everyday applications.

Nanotechnology studies unique property changes on the nanoscale by way of manipulating atoms and molecules. The intention is to then use these phenomena for use in the design, characterization, production and application for the benefit of materials, structures, devices and systems. This scale ranges from one basic unit, sized in likeness to atoms or molecules, to 100 nanometers. Nanometer translates to one billionth of a meter.

For reference, hair follicles or a sheet of paper are about 100,000 nanometers thick. Fingernails grow at the rate of one nanometer per second. Cells and bacteria are measured in micrometers an entirely different scale for objects that outsize nanometric measurements.

If every person were the size of a nanometer, the entire world population would be able to fit into one Hot Wheels matchbox car, as noted by the Australian Academy of Science.

Its important to note that nanotechnology isnt simply a miniaturization of whats happening at eye level. When objects are manipulated on the nanometric scale, they can develop unusual properties a change in color or increased malleability that diverge from their presentation on the macroscopic scale. A change in surface area can result in a change in physical, chemical, optical or mechanical makeup. Materials can become more durable, robust or conductive than their life-sized counterparts.

Its not all science fiction and Marvel superhero suits, however. The stained glass windows decorating European medieval cathedrals and castles, for example, are some of the earliest known use cases of nanotechnology. Artisans discovered that they could create deep purples and rich reds by adding flecks of gold chloride or yellowish ambers from adding silver nitrate. As atomic particles rearrange, they reflect light differently.

Understanding these unpredictable properties that result from manipulating nanomaterials through innovative engineering and fabrication of macro-scale technologies is the task of researchers within this field.

Essentially, nanotechnology can quite literally reshape the world as we know it.

There are four major classifications that sort different types of nanotechnology happening now, arranged by the sequence in which they are developed or the mediums in which they work:

Descending (top-down): This approach minimizes structures and mechanisms currently in use to the nanoscale ranging from atomic levels to 100 nanometers to develop new technologies.

Ascending (bottom-up): Beginning with basic units of a nanometric structure, like an atom or molecule, nanotechnologists build from the ground up.

Dry: A type of nanotechnology classified by its work with inorganic materials, like metals and semiconductors, that do not work with water.

Wet: Takes a focus on processes that require water and biological systems that exist in an aqueous environment, such as cells.

Nanotechnology is all around us. Take a look at some of the ways unfathomably small innovations have made their way into your everyday routines.

Created in a lab and ground down into ultra-fine particles, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are synthetic ingredients added to everyday sun-protection products, as they are highly UV light-absorbent. The inorganic nanoparticles also effectively absorb and scatter visible light, making them feel light and look transparent when applied to the skin.

The beads of rain, balling up then rolling off of your windbreaker, and surprising stink-resistance of weeks-old athleisure wear piled up in the corner of your bedroom can all be credited to nanofibers, or nanotechnology adapted to clothing.

Silica nanoparticles, either woven into the fabric or sprayed onto its surface, keep us dry under umbrellas and in water-repellent clothes.

Silver nanoparticles commonly used in T-shirts and socks hold antimicrobial properties, killing odorous bacteria and requiring less frequent wash cycles. Adding copper to the mix creates a protective layer that breaks down food and dirt when in contact with heat or exposed to sunlight. Going one step further, copper-silica nanoparticles chemically deodorize by actively targeting and then modifying stench-causing molecules.

In one study, titanium dioxide was found to enhance wrinkle resistance in cotton fabrics.

Looking ahead, researchers are studying different breeds of foliage to duplicate their superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties to create ultra water-resistant fabrics patterned with nano-silicone spikes, linked to a phenomenon called the lotus effect.

More on Fashion Technology Fashion Technology: An Overview Into the Industry

Coatings, varnishes, upholstery as well as the composite and plastic materials furnishing a home sometimes feature a nanotech touch.

When applied to wood, nano-silver, copper and zinc have been known to protect furniture from pests and fungi by naturally producing biocides, according to a paper published in the International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology. A finishing coat of titanium dioxide can also repel dust and contaminants, according to the paper.

The use of nanomaterials can lead to an extended life cycle for furniture products while reducing maintenance and repair costs, according to researchers at the Helwan University in Egypt.

For safety, adding a small portion of carbon nanofibers to polyurethane foams in upholstered furniture can reduce flammability by about 35 percent, compared to conventional fire retardants researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology found.

The super covalent bonds that stick nano-adhesives together are inspired by the strongest model of van der Waals forces gecko toes.

The billion-odd, tiny, elastic hairs known as setae that line the reptilians feet split into even smaller spatulae about 200 nanometers in width and length at each end, aiding in the lizards one-of-a-kind grip strength.

In 2012, a group of scientists released an adhesive glue dubbed Geckskin that could secure 700 pounds to a smooth surface utilizing carbon nanotubes.

Although carbon nanotubes are thousands of times thinner than a human hair, they can be stronger than steel, lighter than plastic, more conductive than copper for electricity and diamond for heat, writes Michael Berger, an editor for online nanotechnology publicationNanowerk.

Thinner bonding lines give nano-fillers an advantage over traditionally used micro-scale adhesives, which increases strength and durability. Molecular chains bonded by a silicon, sulfur, carbon and hydrogen cocktail created a nano-glue in 2007 that could not only withstand high temperatures but became stronger as the heat increased.

Nano-ceramic coatings bond with a cars clear finish, forming a glossy, polymer-protected sealant that repels water, contaminants, UV rays and not to be left out damaging uric acid from bird droppings. They are most commonly made from silicon dioxide, but can also be sourced from silicon carbide or graphene.

Typically, the coatings can last two to five years, although the more concentrated mixtures on the market can last over a decade.

Nanotechnology gets in the game with its carbon nanotubes, silica nanoparticles, nanoclays and fullerenes that improve the performance of athletes and their equipment. Nanomaterials can increase strength, stiffness and durability of equipment while reducing weight, friction or wear resistance in uniforms. Its why golf clubs and racing bikes are lighter. Its why swimmers and skaters glide faster.

Carbon nanotubes, the most prevalent nanomaterial used in sporting goods, are six times lighter and 100 times stronger than steel and stiff as diamond, according to online nanotechnology publication AZoNano.

In tennis, these carbon nanotubes are infused to strengthen racquet frames, offering more control and power for the player. Nanoclay linings inside of tennis balls act as a barrier that retains inflating gasses and prevents leaks, optimizing bounce and allowing longer gameplay.

But how good is too good? An ethical dilemma arises in what is called technology doping, where regulatory institutions draw the line between talent and technology.

As reported by The Guardian, an international governing body banned swimsuits that contained nanofabrics after 168 world records were broken by competitive swimmers wearing the suits, giving competitors an unfair advantage. Speedos LZR Racer bodysuit can be linked to more than 90 percent of the gold medals won in the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to its polyurethane panel construction, which repelled water, increased buoyancy and reduced drag.

As demonstrated in a decades evolution of the smartphone, less is more in the world of computers. The aggressive focus on the efficiency of computer systems is driven by a concept known as Moores Law, established in 1965, which predicted that the number of transistors packed into a circuit of a given size would be able to double every two years, per advancements. Thus far, American engineer and author of the principle, Gordon Moore, has been right.

In 2021, IBM announced that it had successfully developed a silicon semiconductor sized at just two nanometers. It holds a 45 percent higher performance rate than todays most advanced chips, more than triple its size, a press release stated. For reference, this would allow 50 billion transistors to be crammed into a fingernail-sized chip.

Scientists anticipate Moores law to hit an inevitable wall, pushing primary composite silicon to its optimization limit. Thinner nanomaterials, like graphene, and structural formations, like one-dimensional carbon nanotubing, are currently being considered to architect the next generation of computing transistors.

More on Small-Scale ComputingWant to Learn Quantum Computing? Heres How.

Analytics and consulting company GlobalData identified some nanotech trends taking off in patient care.

Target specification is a technique where nanoparticles are attached onto drugs or artificial vesicles known as liposomes (essentially, encased water droplets designed for a specific purpose) to seek out specific cells and tissues. This allows medicine to treat diseased or cancerous cells of interest directly while avoiding the healthy ones, according to GlobalData.

Another use in the making, controlled drug release, would give care practitioners the ability to control the release of a drug or therapeutic compound by a trigger. Internally, this may be activated by a change in tissue as it develops around a tumor or, externally, by stimuli such as heat, light or ultrasound.

From Heinz to Hershey, the household brands filling out your refrigerator drawers and kitchen cabinets likely contain nanotechnology. AZoNanoestimated that there are more than 400 global companies participating in novel, lab-to-table developments.

The fields leading actors silver, titanium dioxide, silica, clay, gold and zinc are the most commonly engineered elements used to manipulate food products on the nanoscale, according to the Center for Food Safety.

Nano-iron has been used to treat water, breaking down organic pollutants and killing microbial pathogens during decontamination.

The fluffy, perma-moist texture of mayonnaise is made possible by nano-emulsion, where fatty, oil droplets overcrowd water and create pockets. Developers believe they can lower the condiments fat percentage even more by injecting the fat molecules with water. Nestl uses this process to guarantee a uniform thawing experience across its frozen aisle products while Unilever reduced the fat percentage of its ice creams from 16 to 1 percent.

Aesthetically speaking, yogurt and coconut flakes rely on titanium dioxide to appear as vibrantly white as possible.

Taste, looks and texture are not the only application of nanotech in the food sector. Smart packaging, decked out in nanosensors and antimicrobial activators, like nano-silver, are in production to extend shelf life, improve food safety, indicate contaminated or spoiled products, repair packaging tears and even release preservatives while food products sit in a wrapper.

Today, nanotechnology stops beers from going flat by infusing nano-clay flakes into the plastic bottle walls, barricading fizzy carbon dioxide from escaping and oxygen, breaching its way in, from spoiling the beverage.

Looking forward, bioavailability by way of nanostructures aims to optimize nutritional value in order to demonstrate clear benefits. Researchers are looking to splice table salt to nanometric sizes roughly one thousand times smaller than it typically appears, The Guardian reported. Increasing salts surface area means that the flavor can spread more efficiently. This would increase the salts surface area one-million fold, meaning that the flavor can spread more efficiently, reducing salt intake and blood pressure woes without sacrificing any flavor.

Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a fire-retardant aerogel, made up of cellulose nanofibres and metallic phase molybdenum disulphide.The ultra-lightweight, durable material contains a crosslinking structure. Building nano-barriers into housing materials would help block out oxygen while inhibiting toxic substances to release and fuel a fire, ultimately certifying its inflammability.

Currently, the team at Northeastern are seeking out commercial and development opportunities to build their fire-retardant nanotech into housing, industry connection platform In-Part reported in a blog post.

In its adolescence, the industry itself is still dreaming up what reengineering matter on the nanoscale can do for society.

Its direct hand in COVID-19 response is a top example of this. Tech innovation journal Nano Today attributed the 95-percent efficacy rate of two mRNA-based vaccines specifically to the use of nanocarriers, made up of lipid nanoparticles. Its a standout marker for modern medicine that lays the groundwork for fighting against future pandemics, as stated in the journal.

Nanotech is also showing promise in tackling climate change, by optimizing energy generation. On an individual scale, this can mean more storage embedded into electric car batteries or, on an industry scale, solar panels with higher conversion rates.

Nanowerk highlighted the work of Zhong Lin Wang, a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, who has been developing nanogenerator technology since 2005.

Wang and his team is exploring how to harvest mechanical energy from organic and inorganic materials, essentially operating a system of energy through movement. His work has shown that nanogenerators can be driven by irregular mechanical motion, which includes involuntary biomechanisms such as the vibration of vocal cords or the pulses of a heartbeat to even a hamster wheel or a flag flapping in the wind. Stimuli currently being experimented with include light, temperature variations, glucose any naturally occuring source that holds a high conversion efficiency.

Although nanotech innovation of tomorrow is small-scale, its kind of a big deal.

Continued here:

10 Top Nanotechnology Examples | Built In

Nanotechnology refers to the field of science that manipulates matter on a near-atomic scale to design new structures, materials, and devices that thrive at nanoscale dimensions. This technology is crucial for the progress and evolution of several scientific disciplines, including medicine, manufacturing, energy, and materials science and engineering.

In the metric system, a nanometer refers to a unit of length. The word nano is derived from the Greek word Nanos, which equates to dwarf or something extremely small. Technically, one centimeter = 1/100 of a meter while a nanometer (nm) = one billionth of a meter. Thus, all nanoscale structures typically have a dimensional range or length between 1 and 100 nanometers.

To better visualize the nanoscale size, lets look at some of the examples. If you observe the human skin under a magnifying glass, you reach the millimeter dimension = 1/1000 of a meter. Instead, if you use a microscope to study the skin, you work at a micrometer scale (1/1000 of a millimeter), which allows you to examine the skin cells. Typically, cells, bacteria, and silicon chips are measured in micrometers.

A nanometer (10-9) scale is smaller and primarily used to measure atoms and molecules. An atom that makes up all matter around us has a width in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 nm; a human hair is 50k nm to 100k nm thick, a single DNA strand is 2.5 nm wide, and a sheet of paper is 75k nm thick. This tiny dimensional space represents the nanoscale world.

In the 20th century, researchers across the globe made a revelation that fundamentally changed our understanding of nanoscale materials. According to scientists, materials with at least one facet length, breadth, or height in the 1 to 100 nm range tend to reveal distinct physical and chemical properties compared to the same materials at the macroscale capacity.

Lets consider an example of silver material. If we break it down into smaller proportions, each piece still showcases basic properties such as density, texture, boiling point, thermal conductivity, and others, just like the original silver. However, all these properties change at the nanoscale level based on size, shape, and composition. This implies that the properties exhibited by materials at the nanoscale are not manifested by the same material at any other length.

Although it is hard to define the size or composition parameters at which the properties of a material change, material dimensions have their own relevance. For example, gold material expresses different colors at different nanoscale dimensions. It is orange in color at 100 nm and green at 50 nm. However, it is worth noting that gold particles show distinct catalytic properties that vary according to material size only at lengths below 5 nm.

Nanometer materials have existed for years. However, scientific tools and techniques to observe and manipulate them have come to the fore only in recent decades. Its development dates back to the 17th century when the optical microscope was developed. The microscope made the invisible world of biological organisms visible to humans. However, it had a serious bottleneck of magnification as the wavelength of visible light ranges between 400 to 750 nm, which is far more than any nanoscale material.

With the introduction of the electron microscope in 1931, this limitation of the visible light spectrum was resolved. Fast forward to 1981, the first scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was introduced, which not just allowed professionals to view tiny objects but also fiddle with unique object qualities that varied according to their size, shape, and composition.

Today, STM and electron microscopes are vital units in nanotech labs as they bring the world of nanoscale particles of 0.05 nm or lesser size to life. These advanced instruments are crucial to capture the dynamic properties shown by nanomaterials and harness them to solve modern-day problems such as improving fuel efficiency, building advanced computers, designing complex medical diagnostic equipment, or promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

See More: Top 10 Applications of IoT in 2022

Nanotechnology has penetrated all walks of life, from food processing and efficient drug delivery to the design of small transistors used by electronic chips. With the proliferation of IoT devices recently, nanotechnology applications have grown significantly. According to an October 2022 report by MarketWatch, the global nanotechnology market reached a valuation of $1.97 billion in 2021 and is estimated to climb to $34.3 billion by the end of 2030.

Although nanotechnology has multidisciplinary applications, lets look at the top six areas where nanotechnologies significantly impact today.

Nanotechnology Applications

Advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of nanomaterials that are used across day-to-day applications, from fabrics, cosmetics, and sportswear, to camera displays and eyewear. With the help of nanotech, material properties can be tweaked to make them durable and stronger, have better electrical & thermal conductivity, and so on. Typically, in the clothing sector, fabrics can be made wrinkle-free and resistant to micro-bacterial growth.

Nanomaterials are also an important component of lithium-ion batteries. For instance, a nanotech firm, Nano One Materials Corp., has joined hands with Johnson Matthey, a sustainable technology company, to develop low-cost nanomaterials that would be specifically used in lithium-ion batteries. Such batteries could find applications in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, or even the energy storage domain.

In the healthcare sector, nanotech is extensively used while exercising therapy techniques, designing diagnostics, and developing efficient drug delivery systems. For example, Medlab Clinical Limited, a biotech company, has developed NanoCelle, a drug delivery platform that creates nano-sized particles and ingests them directly into a patients bloodstream via oral, buccal mucosa (cheek). Recently, Medlab received a New South Wales (NSW) Government grant to develop a nasal vaccine for COVID-19, which will be delivered via this non-invasive NanoCelle platform.

Nanotech is also employed to develop antiviral drugs. For example, NanoViricides is a company that designs nanomaterials specifically used for antiviral therapy. The firm also develops nanomedicines that can fight viral infections, such as the ones observed in influenza, HIV/AIDS, or dengue fever.

In the food industry, nanotech is applied to intensify food flavor and color while performing food processing steps. It is also vital for food preservation as microbes can significantly reduce the foods shelf life. Considering the consequences, nanotech-based food packaging solutions are used to maintain the safety and quality of food products.

Also, during the agricultural cultivation process, farmers can now use nanomaterials as this tends to keep a check on pesticide use on crops and yet deliver essential nutrients to them. Thus, from food production, processing, and preservation to packaging, nanotech has become an indispensable part of food science.

The rate of technological advancement has overthrown the well-known Moores Law, which predicts that the number of transistors on silicon chips grows 2x each year. Circuits have gotten smaller and smaller at a rapid pace. For instance, in 2015, tech giant IBM revealed that it would use transistors of 7 nm size. A couple of years later, the organization announced the launch of a 5 nm chip. In 2021, the company disclosed that it had created a 2 nm chip that showed 45% higher performance than the previously designed 7 nm chips.

Similarly, Samsung, a telecom leader, designed a nanotech process that gives tiny chips more power than state-of-the-art chips. In mid-2021, Samsung partnered with Synopsys to advance the 3 nm gate-all-around tech that can benefit AI applications, 5G devices, and high-performance computing applications. In 2022, the semiconductor company ordered mass production of 3 nm chips that consumed 45% less power and 23% enhanced performance over 5 nm chips, such as Apples M1 and M2 chips.

In the energy sector, nanotech is primarily used to develop energy storage solutions and advance oil & gas recovery processes. For instance, PyroGenesis Canada, a tech company, uses plasma-based techniques to help oil & gas companies design sustainable solutions for oil & gas exploration and production. This plasma-based approach is also adopted by several manufacturing industries and 3D printing companies.

Moreover, in the renewable energy area, nanotech is employed to elevate the performance of solar cells. For example, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a national laboratory in the US, developed nanocones out of zinc oxide, boosting solar cells overall efficiency.

Nanotechnology is pivotal when it comes to developing environmental applications. For instance, the International Institute of Nanotechnology, which promotes nanoscience research in the US, has created a nanocomposite membrane that absorbs and releases water pollutants such as phosphates. The membrane helps control phosphate pollution in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.

Nanotech is also used in air quality treatment. For instance, Nanomatrix Materials, an Indian firm, has designed AC filters that rely on graphene-silver nanotechnology to keep the indoor air clean while protecting users from airborne viruses. In other words, typical air conditioners are transformed into air purifiers.

Such purifiers also aid in addressing the COVID-19 issue. In 2020, Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel collaborated with Rice University and developed graphene-based air filters capable of self-sterilizing and purifying the surrounding air. These filters also help in decontaminating water bodies.

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Today, nanotech innovations have become an inevitable part of our everyday lives. Our households invariably reveal a nanotech touch as routinely used products such as cosmetics, fabrics, furniture, adhesives, and even vehicular paints are a consequence of nanomaterial engineering.

Lets look at some use cases of nanotechnology.

Nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are added to cosmetic products such as sunscreens because they block UV light. These fine particles are capable of absorbing and scattering visible light. As a result, modern sunscreens feel light and appear transparent when applied to the skin.

Nanoparticles such as silica exhibit water-repellent properties. They are either sprayed on the fabric surface or woven into it to ensure water does not enter the fabric. It is widely used in umbrellas and raincoats.

Clothing apparels such as T-shirts, trousers, and even socks have silver nanoparticles sprayed over them due to their antibacterial properties. These nanoparticles tend to kill microbes that evoke strong odor, allowing the apparel to be used for a longer duration without having to be washed. Moreover, ultra-fine particles of titanium dioxide are used to make cotton fabrics wrinkle-free.

Nanoparticles such as silver, copper, and zinc are applied on household furniture because they can fight against pests or fungi that develop over time. Moreover, titanium dioxide particles are also applied in some cases as it acts as a dust and contaminant repellent.

Applying nanomaterial-based coatings and varnishes can extend the life of any furniture while lowering its maintenance costs. According to a research study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the flammability of upholstered furniture reduces by 35% when coated with carbon nanofibers.

Nanotechnology is often used to develop durable adhesives. Generally, adhesives become less sticky at higher temperatures. However, nano-glue developed by US researchers harnesses molecular chains to stick to surfaces and make them capable of withstanding high temperatures, unlike traditional adhesives. These developed adhesives are only 1 nm thick and are suitable for electronic chips and machines usually exposed to high temperatures.

Vehicles have nano-ceramic coatings that mix with sealants to protect them from UV light and contaminants. These nanocoatings also safeguard vehicles from bird droppings composed of uric acid.

Nanorepel, a nanotech company that produces surface protection coatings for cars, has developed a high-performance coating that not only protects cars from bird waste but when applied on upholstery car components, stays free from stains and dirty spots.

In the sporting industry, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes or silica nanoparticles are applied to sports equipment to enhance performance. These materials are key to equipment durability as they reduce equipment wear and tear and weight, amplifying its overall strength. As such, golf clubs, skateboards, tennis racquets, and sports bikes feel lighter when used by sportspeople.

Also, nanoclays applied on the interiors of tennis balls optimize ball bounce and prevent leakage, if any. As a result, these tennis balls can withstand longer rallies during a match.

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Nanotechnology provides a pathway to study and design new materials that improve our lives. However, it is worth noting that nanotech does not refer to typical products such as electronic chips or smartphones. Instead, it defines a process that exploits the properties of nanomaterials to design and develop such products and devices.

In 1908, Henry Ford came up with the idea of introducing assembly lines in automobile manufacturing plants. As a result, the cost of production lowered significantly, and the end product became substantially affordable. Thus, common US citizens could buy less expensive yet new automobiles. The improved automobile manufacturing framework eventually led to the industrial revolution like none other.

Similarly, nanotech has great potential to start another industrial revolution as it has a quantifiable impact on different sectors such as healthcare, the environment, clothing, etc. Only time will reveal how we adapt to nanotech advancements in the future.

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Nanotech: Exploiting Nanomaterial Properties to Create New Products ...