With the advancement of technology, man has witnessed some unbelievable, yet nerve-wreaking inventions, which have taken the quality of life to another level. Below is a brief account of a remarkable technology, nano, that will probably shape the world to extraordinary heights. prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
What is nano?
Nano means “billionth”, so a nanometer is one billionth of a meter, and making things on this scale is nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology maybe called a magical technology as it deals with the ultimate tool box of nature - atoms and molecules. It also comprises everything from soil to sky, and every being from insects to giants.
Why nano?
Nanotechnology involves shrinking down objects, so that they can perform mechanical, electrical or chemical processes at much smaller dimensions. On such a small scale, materials adopt new properties different from their larger kins.
Nanotechnology has been present in nature for long, but Richard Feynman was the first to draw attention towards the subject in 1959. It was as late as 1981 when scanning tunnelling microscope that could see individual atoms was developed and the modern nanotechnology began.
Most of the benefits of nanotechnology have already started showing positive signs. Below are a few groundbreaking forms of nanotechnology:
Nanorobots
Nanorobot is a device that can be managed like a remote-controlled toy with size close to or at nanometer scale.
Nano robots, also called nanobots or nanomites are currently under the research and development phase, and are expected to revolutionize our lives.
Furthermore, nanotechnology is about to introduce a new field called nanodentistry, which would look after our oral health through tissue engineering and nanorobotics. Similarly, a ‘would-be’ nanorobot has the potential to provide early diagnosis, bone repair, retinal and cochlear implants, tissue repair and replacements, alongside white blood cells. But this is not the end to it. The point to ponder is that once a nanosized device enters your body, it can be used for any possible treatment.
Nanofood
Sumptuous flavours, vibrant looks, and less spoilage are the reasons why nanoparticles are being used in food industry. Maybe in future, mothers would not have to worry about cooking meals. Researchers have shown interest in creating a blob that would turn into any kind of food with any flavour when put into a microwave. All we would have to do is to tell the appliance what flavour we would like to have, and tiny engineered particles in the food would do the job. It is also expected that this food product would be able to identify the material the consumer is allergic to, and would be capable of blocking it.
People who are worried about health implications of excess consumption of salt could use nanoparticulate salt that gives a good salty flavour to food with amount much less than the ordinary salt used.
Packaging
The use of nanotechnology has provided better packaging of food with improved nutritional value. We can keep food fresh for long using nano modified surfaces and coatings that are dirt-repellent and anti-bacterial. Nanobiosensors readily detect the presence of harmful micro organisms and other causative agents of disease. Some special nanoparticles that are used in the packaging, change colour as the food stale, thus, warning the consumer beforehand. Bio-degradable and environmentally sustainable nanopackaging are a new alternative to common plastic packaging.
Environmental remediation
Environmental pollution is one of the biggest issues modern world is facing nowadays. Researchers expect Nano to offer solution to this ever-mounting problem by providing such nanoparticles and nanomembranes that filter toxic chemicals from environment and clean the water by detecting and filtering harmful chemicals. Researchers have also discovered such particles that remove arsenic or carbon tetrachloride from water. Work is being done on such nanostructured filters that can remove virus cells from water. It is expected that someday using nanotechnology, we would be able to clean industrial water pollutants in ground water by chemical reactions that turn them into harmless products.
Interestingly, nanoparticles are also used as fuel additives to reduce fuel consumption in vehicles. This would also help to reduce the emission of toxic compounds, while saving the environment from the hazardous effects of toxins.
Clothing
Right now researchers are only able to provide nano clothes that are made from ordinary fiber having a nano coating over it. It is expected that in the days to come, we would be wearing clothes that are having microbe-killing silver nanoparticles, which will be anti-bacterial and anti-fungi
Nanoparticles of silica sprayed over the cloth surface are going to make it water proof and stain resistant. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles used in textiles provide them sun blocking properties and scatter the UV rays falling over the clothes’ surface.
Cosmetics
Silver nano particles used in toothpastes and shampoos provide anti-bacterial properties to them. Some companies also claim to use nanoparticles in their products that reduce signs of aging, helps in tissue regeneration and are anti-inflammatory.
Energy
Nanotechnology has some really weird applications in energy sector. A very interesting application is electricity generation using waste heat. Researchers have built sheets of nanotubes to create thermo cells. These cells generate electricity when the sides of the cells are at different temperatures. Maybe in the near future, we would be wrapping nanotube sheets around our geyser and cars exhaust pipes to generate electricity.
Researchers at Rice University are trying to develop wires with nanotubes that would have low resistance than the conventional wires in electricity distribution grid.
Shatterproof and highly efficient light bulbs are produced using a nanoengineered polymer matrix.
Prototype solar panels which are made using nanotechnology are much lighter, more flexible and highly efficient than commonly used solar panels that are quite heavy and need lots of maintenance. Nanostructured solar panels are less expensive and easily installable. In future, a solar panel would be nothing but a flexible roll able plastic sheet.
Who knows that one day cars would be using smart nanosensors to prevent problems like tyre blow-out and brake failure.
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology can transform complicated scanning equipment and diagnostic devices to a small size, so that they can fit under our skin. This helps the micro machines to replace organs, limbs and other body parts. These miniaturize diagnostic and operational elements allow for easier and advanced diagnosis and treatment. Some also envision an implanted device for measuring blood pressure that is powered by your heart. Maybe changing your skin tone or finding a way of how your hair grow faster might be a worry of past in future.
Nanoparticle filled ink conducts electricity
Metal wires are imperative components of electronics, but future generations may not need any of the tiny bits of metal components. Drawing of circuit boards by hand could bring the era of ‘paper electronics’. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are trying to make ink from silver nanoparticles that could conduct electricity. Using different techniques, the nanoparticles are treated such that they can flow from pen like normal ink. A line drawn from such an ink would become a silver wire that can carry current, thus beautifying the drawing of a house with real electric bulb.
Grey goo
There is no doubt that nanotechnology is a miraculous technology, but some researchers and visionary scientists also fear that its disastrous effects in the times to come. Eric Drexler a visionary scientist gave the concept of “grey goo”. He states that nanomachines would become self-replicating, and would consume all the matter on earth.
Researchers fear that the miniature sized nanoparticles could get into the body via skin, air, food, etc and cause damage to human body, specifically to lungs if they are from diesel machines, power plants and incinerators. Once entered in a blood stream, a nanoparticle could damage human cells, DNA and even cross blood brain barrier.
In short, “Our technology power increases but the side effects and potential hazards also escalate”. - Alven Toffle