Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials’ molecular structures to enhance their properties, for instance, making them lighter and stronger. Nanotech also makes possible new technologies like carbon-nanotube scrubbers to remove carbon dioxide emissions from power plant exhaust or smart fabrics that generate usable energy through body heat, light or friction.
Nanomedicine
Nanotechnology allows us to manipulate matter at an atomic and molecular level, giving us unprecedented control. It allows for creating materials with groundbreaking properties, such as graphene (which is harder than steel but lighter than aluminium and transparent), or the development of nanoparticles to improve drug delivery systems.
Nanomedicine, one subset of nanotechnology, involves creating devices designed specifically for use within human bodies to diagnose diseases or repair and replace damaged organs or bones. Furthermore, these technologies advance drug delivery systems by targeting them specifically at diseased or unhealthy tissues rather than spreading across all of one’s body, thus decreasing side effects and side effects.
Nanoparticles can efficiently transport growth factors, proteins and other bioactive molecules that aid tissue repair. Furthermore, their physical characteristics enable efficient drug transport and distribution within the body.
There has been great enthusiasm surrounding nanomedicine’s potential use in treating various illnesses; however, concerns exist regarding the possible negative impacts of these technologies on human health. Some chemicals used to produce nanomaterials have been known to pollute cells of both animals and humans alike. There have been worries that such particles may interfere with normal immune system functions.
Nanofuels
Nanotechnology – the study of invisible particles used to combat cancer cells, microprocessors that consume less energy and solar panels that produce twice as much power – could become the next industrial revolution. Research & Markets estimates that its global market could surpass $125 billion by 2024.
Scientists work at the nanoscale using advanced microscopes such as atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopes, while nanotechnology generally takes one of two broad approaches: top-down or bottom-up. Top-down nanotechnology involves scientists working with predesigned molecules; on the other hand, bottom-up engineering creates complex structures from materials like carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals or metal oxides.
Nanostructures are extremely strong yet light and flexible, making them highly useful in many applications. Carbon nanotubes make kayaks and tennis balls faster and more stable, while clay nanocomposites help reduce oxygen transfer in packaging. Nanotechnology is also utilized for environmental and medical uses – for instance scientists have successfully utilized nanoparticles to target cancer cells without harming healthy tissue while exploring dendrimers as vehicles to deliver drugs or vaccines directly into diseased cells.
Nanotechnology in medicine uses nanoparticles to produce lightweight yet strong, flexible materials known as Pliable Metamaterials (PMCs). PMCs can be formed into scaffolds for tissue regeneration; bionic eyes and kidneys have even been constructed using PMCs.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Transportation
Nanotechnology’s core principle lies within its definition of the nanoscale; for instance, one human hair typically measures 100 micrometres wide or about 50,000 times smaller than an atom. Scientists can then create materials on this micro-scale scale, from individual atoms to entire buildings or cars [1].
Nanotechnology extends far beyond producing safer and more effective medicines and energy-efficient cars; it can also be used in applications beyond manufacturing, such as producing regenerative medicine to cure disease and regrow new tissue. Nanotech-based automotive products such as rubber fillers that are less likely to wear, body parts made of lighter alloys, coatings that prevent corrosion, suspensions, brakes and lubrication systems are just some of the many uses it finds applications for.
Nanotechnology holds immense promise when it comes to solar energy harvesting and efficiency. Today’s solar panels can often be large and heavy; with future technology, these may become lighter, smaller, and easier to install – such as through print-like development processes that produce flexible rolls of cells, which could then be painted onto surfaces like roofs.
Nanotechnology applications for energy efficiency and renewables range from turning waste heat from engines, automobiles, homes or power plants into usable electrical energy to lighter batteries with improved durability, solar electric panel systems that harness sunlight to generate electricity generation systems and flexible piezoelectric nanowires woven into clothing that convert friction vibration or body heat into energy for mobile electronics.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Energy Harvesting
Nanoparticles have the power to transform products by altering both chemical and physical properties. For instance, cerium-oxide nanoparticles can be mixed into fuel to improve its combustion more cleanly and efficiently – one of the UK’s largest bus operators has used such additives for over ten years, saving 5% annually in fuel costs through using them.
Nanoscale materials’ malleable physical properties make them suitable for various uses. Graphene is one such material, known for being harder than steel but lighter than aluminium and nearly transparent – qualities which could make it useful in creating new kinds of computers and devices and lighter yet more durable cars and planes.
Cosmetics, sunscreen and sports equipment manufacturers also utilize nanoparticles in clothing manufacturing to help their fabric resist stains and the sun’s UV rays more efficiently. Some nanoparticle-containing products penetrate skin layers directly, delivering cosmetic ingredients exactly where needed.
Nanotechnology holds immense promise, but it has risks. Eric Drexler’s 1986 book imagined self-replicating nanometer-scale robots consuming all carbon from the world into themselves in the form of grey goo. Although experts consider this scenario unlikely, the unregulated pursuit of nanotechnology may cause health and safety concerns that governments worldwide must carefully manage. Nanotech development must continue while keeping an eye on any risks.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Energy Efficiency
Nanotechnology’s ability to engineer materials at an atomic level opens up many new applications. Nanotech is revolutionizing our daily lives and changing how we make things – it has already started changing our economy!
Engineers use nanotechnology to make smart fabrics that don’t stain or wrinkle, carbon nanotube-embedded epoxy coatings help kayaks float atop waterways or keep tennis balls bouncing longer, and in the energy sector, nanotech enhances solar cell performance; one firm, in collaboration with Johnson Matthey developed zinc oxide nanocones as key components of lithium-ion batteries.
Nanoparticles possess exceptionally large surface areas; for instance, a cube one centimetre on each side has an area equivalent to 6 square centimetres–roughly equivalent to half the area covered by half a stick of gum–while filling it with nanoparticles would increase this to 6,000 square meters!
Nanoparticles’ vast surface area makes them very reactive, which engineers exploit to develop safer and more energy-efficient battery technology, fuel cells and other renewable energy devices. Nanotechnology is also being applied to improve display screens on electronic devices and coatings used on cars, boats and bicycles that make them lighter yet stronger and help computers work faster by storing more data; it even enhances touch-screen sensitivity for greater user control.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Smart Fabrics
Nanotechnology has already proven itself in consumer products across a range of categories. Computer manufacturers, for instance, are using carbon nanotubes to build faster and more energy-efficient microchips; electronic device makers are utilizing another nanotech material called graphene to improve screen displays on tablets and smartphones – also helping reduce power consumption and weight.
Nanotech is also helping reduce environmental pollution. Engineers have designed nanocomposite membranes that absorb and release water pollutants such as phosphates. Furthermore, AC filters equipped with graphene-silver nanotechnology filters use graphene to filter airborne toxins.
Nanotechnology can also be utilized in smart fabrics. Researchers have coated cotton yarns with nanolayers of PEDOT – poly(styrene sulfonate) which makes the fibres conductors, enabling solar energy transfer across fabric surfaces. Furthermore, this technology has also been applied to clothing such as shirts and dresses that automatically clean themselves, eliminating dirt from surfaces faster than traditional fabric products.
Even as scientists and engineers embrace nanotechnology’s potential benefits, some have reservations about its future development. Eric Drexler wrote about uncontrolled nanotech leading to a “grey goo” world in his 1986 book Engines of Creation; although unlikely, such fears of unchecked development still loom large for some experts.