What is Nano-technology

Nano-technology

A. What is Nano-technology?

The Definition of Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is a science and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometres. At these small scales, the material properties and behaviour can differ greatly from those at the macroscopic scale, which gives rise to new applications and characteristics.

Nanotechnology is the branch of science and technology that deals with matter sizes in nanometres, integrating disciplines as wide apart as physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and engineering to create design structures, devices and systems at the level of atoms.

B. Applications

I. Health Sector

The applications of nanotechnology in the health sector are treatments, drug delivery, imaging and even personalized medicine. Applications of Nanotechnology in healthcare:

1. Drug Delivery: Nanoparticles can be used to deliver different types of drugs into specific cells, tissue of the human body and boost drug activity, and offer advanced therapeutic benefit. Nano carriers are capable of targeting cancer cells, penetrating biological barriers and releasing drugs
   in a controlled manner.
   
2. Medical Imaging: Their properties make nanoparticles suitable for various imaging techniques (e.g., MRI, CT, and Ultrasound) for better visualization of organs and tissues. Quantum dots and Nano sensors help in imaging disease at the earliest.
   
   
3. Diagnostics:

• The nanotechnology for medical diagnostics can detect biomarkers and disease indicators at the molecular level by using nanosensors and nanodevices, providing on-the-spot inference of sickness which is fast and accurate.
• Biosensors using nanotechnology can measure glucose, notice if you have been infected with certain pathogens, or analyse DNA for precision diagnosis.

4. Therapeutics:

• For instance, nanomedicines like the liposomal drugs and polymeric nanoparticles have been employed for site-specific drug delivery for cancer and other diseases.
• Nanotheranostics integrate both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single nanosystem, enabling customized treatment approaches.

5. Tissue Engineering:

• Nanomaterials combined with scaffolds mimic extracellular matrix and can be very important to promote cell growth and regeneration in tissue engineering applications.
• Nanotechnology plays a role in development of artificial organs, bone implants, and wound healing dressings with increased biocompatibility and function.
  

6. Antimicrobial Coatings:

• They can also be added as coatings and surface treatments to devices like invasive medical implants and for use in hospitals, helping to prevent biofilm build-up leading to infection.
• Both nanosilver and nanotitanium dioxide have been established as functional antimicrobial nanoparticles for a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
  
  
  

7. Personalized Medicine:

• Nanotechnology has the potential for gene profiling, drug response and disease specific personalized therapies.
• Therapeutic agents tailored to the patient can be carried by nanoparticles, enabling precision medicine.

II. Electronics Sector

Nanotechnology has transformed the electronics sector which offers faster, smaller and more energy-efficient electronic devices. Key applications of nanotechnology in electronics sector:

1. Transistors: Nanotechnology also facilitates the manufacture of superior performing, lower-power nanoscale transistors. Transistors can be made even smaller and more efficient using nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes.
   
2. Memory Devices: It is further used for producing advanced memory devices, such as non-volatile memories (ReRAM and MRAM) and phase change memories. High-performance memory devices work at the nanoscale level and are able to store larger amounts of data while allowing for quicker access, higher storage density and a significant reduction in power consumption.
   
3. Displays: Quantum dots which are nanoscale semiconductor particles in display technology to increase colour accuracy, brightness and viewing angles. So, Quantum Dot displays provide better colour reproduction and are more commonly used in higher-end screens.
   
4. Sensors: Nanotechnology allows developing sensors with increased sensitivity in general. For example, nanoscale sensors with improved sensitivity that use the unique properties of some nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes or quantum dots can detect minute changes in temperature, pressure, chemicals and even biological molecules.
   
5. Optoelectronics: In optoelectronics, the use of nanotechnology has become integral for enhancing overall performance and efficiency in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells, and photodetectors. The incorporation of nanoscale morphology in optoelectronic applications may lead to a greater light absorption and emission.
   
6. Energy Storage: Batteries and supercapacitors Advances in lithium-ion batteries, as well as breakthroughs in electric double-layer capacitor materials, point the way to the development of high-performance energy storage devices using nanotechnology such as batteries and supercapacitors. Electronic components with reduced charging time, increased energy density and more charge/discharge cycles are made possible by nanomaterials such as graphene and nanowires.
   
7. Printed Electronics: Nanotechnology provides the possibility to print electronic components in flexible substrates through nanomaterial ink. Nanoelectronics printed on substrate are efficient and customizable, for example solar panels, RFID tag sensors and electronic devices.
8. Antennas and RF Components: Nanomaterials can be used to antennas and radio frequency (RF) components for improved performance for wireless communication. Signal reception, transmission, and data transfer rates can be improved with nanotechnology.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

III. Food Industry

Technological advances in nanotechnology can help to improve food quality, safety and functionality. Some key applications in food industry are:

1. Food processing and preservation:

• Nano packaging: Encapsulating food ingredients, flavours, and nutrients in nano-sized capsules enhances their stability, bioavailability, and controlled release, thereby improving preservation, extending shelf life, and enabling targeted nutrient delivery.
  
  
  
• Nano-filtration: Nanotechnology can help in developing smaller, more precise filters capable of removing bacteria, viruses, and other impurities from food and water. This makes food safer and ensures less spoilage.
  
• Nano- sensors: They can be used to detect spoilage, contamination or temperature variations in food packaging. They facilitate live tracking of the quality and freshness of foods.

2. Food Additives or Supplements

• Nanoparticles used as food additives: Nanoparticles can facilitate the transport of food ingredients, such antioxidants, antimicrobials, and preservatives. This could help make the drugs more effective and mean they would be needed in lower doses, potentially reducing associated health risks from high dosages.
  
• Nano-encapsulation of nutraceuticals: The encapsulation of a few vitamins, minerals, and other nutraceuticals with nano-sized can prompt to advance bioavailability and improve retention in the body. This has higher the nutritional value and possibly health advantages.
  
  
  

3. Food Safety and Traceability:

• Nanobarcodes and nanotags: These can be embedded in food products or the packaging of food products to give an individual identifier and traceability. This will improve traceability of food products and ingredients, increasing food safety and preventing fraud.
  
• Nano sensors to food pathogens: Development of nano sensors, leading faster and accurate manner on detection of food pathogens in count of seconds, it can prevent the outbreak so that not only assures food security.
  

4. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals

• Nanoparticle-based delivery systems: These can deliver bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals to specific organs increasing their bioavailability and improving efficiency.
  
• Nanoscale ingredients: Nano-sized ingredients with specific functionalities, for example, taste, texture or nutritional delivery e.g. this could lead to the creation of novel functional food and nutraceuticals.
  
  
  

5. Smart Packaging:

• Nano-enabled packaging: Combining nanomaterials into food packaging can supply active functions such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti- counterfeiting properties. This improves food safety, preservation and authenticity.
  
• Packaging with nanosensors: Nanosensors can be included in packaging so food products are monitored for temperature, freshness, detection of pathogens. This helps a buyer to get his real-time update and reduce its wastage.

IV. Environmental Applications:

• Water purification: Nanomaterials can lead to the production of improved technological solutions for water treatment; develop filters to extract heavy metals, pesticides or even bacteria from water. This can clean drinking water and protect aquatic ecosystems.
  
• Treatment of wastewater: Use of nanotechnology is seen as a potential method to develop low-cost, energy-efficient treatment processes and for the removal of contaminants from water sources. This will minimise water pollution and save precious resources.
  
• Air filtration: Nanomaterials can be used to create catalysts and filters that can capture dangerous pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, from the air. The result will be an improvement in the quality of the air and a decrease in respiratory problems.
  
• Soil remediation: This can be used to get rid of heavy metals and oils spills from the soil using nanomaterials. This can help to restore polluted land and prevent further damage to the environment.
  
• Energy Generation: Nanotechnology can be used to create more efficient solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries. All those smart moves can add up to a leaner, greener energy future.
  
  

V. Defence Applications:

• Lightweight and Strong Materials using Nanomaterials. This would enhance performance and protect the solider.
  
• Sensors and Detectors: Nanomaterials have found some useful applications in development of efficient sensors and detectors for explosives, biological agents, and chemical weapons. It can increase threat detection and response capabilities.
  
• Nano-weapons: Studies are also in progress for the creation of nano-weapons, tiny bots that could be dispatched at specific targets. But this is an extremely contentious area for ethical reasons.
  
• Medical applications: New medical treatments and technologies for soldiers, i.e. highly efficient wound dressings which promote quicker healing and drug delivery systems to specific areas of the body.

VI. Space Applications:

• Lightweight and strong materials for spacecraft, satellites, and other space components. This helps in weight reduction and increasing fuel economy.
  
• Nanoelectronics: By using nanotechnology, it is possible to develop the miniaturized, ultra-high performance electronics necessary for space in sub-micron scale or smaller form for sensor and communication technologies.
  
• Space propulsion: Another possible use of nanotech might be to make more efficient and powerful propulsion engines for spacecraft.
  
• Discovery of next generation tools and technologies for space exploration: New tools that could be developed would include nano robots to mine asteroids, as well as nanosensors to detect life on other planets.
  

VII. Agriculture:

A. Nutrient delivery and management:

• Nanofertilizers: Nanoparticles that encapsulate nutrients and transport them to the plants while at the same time increasing utilization efficiency of fertilizers and decreasing their runoff.
  
• Nanosensors: Help farmers gain real-time monitoring of nutrient levels in soil and plant tissues, aiding them to tailor the application of fertilizers.
  
• Nanodelivery: Such general nutrients, however, can be better delivered through nanoparticles to localized areas within the plant and thus have better functionality with lowest possible toxic effects.
  

B. Pest and Disease Control:

• Nanopesticides: Nanoparticles will encapsulate the pesticides and be delivered directly to pests, making them infinitely more effective than traditional pesticides and ultimately less harmful to the environment.
  
• Antimicrobial Nanomaterials: Control plant diseases and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
  
• Nanosensors: Detect pests and diseases at an initial stage so farmers can further their action in advance & control the outbreak.
  
• Nano-filtration and Nano-membranes: Clean water and desalination, helping fragile ecosystems in arid and semi-arid environments.
  
• Superabsorbent polymer: Increases soil water retention, sparing irrigation resources.

C. Crop Improvement:

• Nanobiosensors: Instant identification of plant stress and diseases so that action can be taken at an early stage.
  
• Nanocarrier: They can deliver genes and other genetic materials to plants which improves crop traits and resistance to pests and diseases.
  

VIII. Textiles

(i). Stain and Wrinkle Resistance:

• Nanocoatings: Make surfaces hydrophobic and oleophobic so you can wear clothes without worrying about them getting a stain or wrinkle.
  
• Nanofinishes: Impart permanent wrinkle resistance and easy care effects.

(ii). Antibacterial and Odour control:

• Nanosilver and other bactericidal agents: To inhibit bacterial growth in fabrics, especially odour forming.
  
• Self-cleaning textiles: Remove dirt and stains when exposed to sunlight.

(iii). Improved Comfort and Performance:

• Microfibers and nanofibers: Lighter weight, cooler, more breathable fabric with superior moisture management.
  
• Moisture Management: Fabrics with moisture absorbing properties for optimum sweat absorption.
  
• Temperature Regulation: Fabrics which automatically adjust in to natural body temperature for your comfort.

(iv). UV Protection:

• Nano-UV filters: Delivering superior protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays

(v). Flame Retardant Properties:

• Fire-resistant substances such as nanoclay: Components for fabrics to be inherently flame retardant thus increasing safety.

(vi) Functional Textiles:

• Conductive fabric: Electronic sensors in textile for wearable appliances.
• Energy Harvesting Textile: Use your body's motion or even light from the sun to get a charge.

C. Challenges

I. Health Challenges:

• Toxicity: Nanomaterials may be toxic. Nanoparticles are so small and have such unique properties that they behave in ways other than larger particles do, enabling them to interact with biological systems irreplaceable for human health but also potentially posing risks. Further investigation is required to define how these materials may affect human health in the long-term.
  
• Exposure and Risk Assessment: Assessing the exposure routes and risks that can be associated with nanomaterials can be difficult due to their wide variety of properties and uses. Having standardized protocols to evaluate the potential risks associated with various nanomaterials is essential for the safe development and use of those materials.
  
• Ethical Problems: Ethical concerns stem from the possibilities for using nanotechnology to enhance humans and change human biology in ways that are hazardous and unprecedented, raising fears of disaster. Strong ethical rules are essential for the proper and responsible development of Nano-medical products.

II. Environmental Challenges:

• Potential Environmental Impact: The increasing use of nanomaterials in every facet of life is generating concerns regarding the release of these materials into the environment. However, their endurance and size leave them open up to potentially devastating environmental consequences as well as potential interactions with ecosystems. Future research should focus on the potential to understand the ecological impact of nanomaterials on ecosystems and enforcement improvements.
  
• How to Regulate Nanoparticles: Due to the many probabilistic properties and applications of nanomaterials, it is difficult to regulate them. While current regulations may be ill-suited for this class of materials, new material specific regulations may be necessary to ensure that these nanomaterials are in fact not going to pose challenges to the environment and that products will have responsible end of-life treatments.

III. Regulatory Challenges:

• Lack of Standardized Tests and Definitions: There exists no a standardized test or definition for Nanomaterials. This makes it very difficult to regulate nano products reliably. To ensure safety and the subsequent regulatory oversight, harmonized nomenclature, methods for characterization, methodologies for measurement and benchmarking of nanomaterials are needed.
  
• The need for a clear regulatory guideline: The existing regulatory frameworks may not be able to effectively regulate nanomaterials because of their unique properties and risks. Responsible innovation and commercialization will require the development of tailored regulations, as well as clarity regarding the production, utilization and disposal of nanomaterials.

IV. Miscellaneous Challenges:

• Public perception that nanotechnology may carry risks or have unintended consequences can constrain its development and acceptance. Thus, clear communication and engagement among researchers, regulators, and the public is necessary to overcome these issues and to establish trust with society with respect to responsible nanotechnology development.
  
• Expensive and difficult to scale up: The techniques used to synthesise nanomaterials can be time consuming, expensive and difficult to scale up. What is more required in the mainstream adoption of nanotechnology in various disciplines is the evolution of scalable and economical production procedures.
  
• Nanomaterials Development: The ethical considerations include responsible sourcing of materials, worker safety during production of nanomaterials and fair access to the benefits afforded by nanotechnology through the lifecycle of the research, development and implementation.
  

D. Indian Government Initiatives in the field of Nanotechnology

• National Nanotechnology Mission (NNM): Launched in 2007, the NNM is a flagship program designed to promote research and development in nanotechnology. It provides funding for research projects, infrastructure development, and human resource development across various nanotechnology fields.
  
• Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI): This government program aims to encourage collaboration between academia, industry, and government in nanotechnology. It supports joint research projects, technology transfer, and the commercialization of nanotechnology-based products.
  
• Centres of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENs): The government has established several CENs nationwide, focusing on specific areas of nanotechnology, such as nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, and nanomedicine.
  
• Nano-Mission Directorate (NMD): The NMD, established within the Department of Science and Technology (DST), oversees the implementation of the NNM and NSTI programs. It provides technical and financial support to researchers, entrepreneurs, and industries in the nanotechnology sector.
  
• National Nanofabrication Facility (NNF): The NNF is a national facility offering access to advanced nanofabrication equipment and expertise to researchers and industry. It aids in the development and fabrication of nanodevices and nanomaterials.
  
• Start-up and Incubation Support: The government has launched several initiatives to support start-ups and incubators in the nanotechnology field. These initiatives provide funding, mentorship, and infrastructure support to entrepreneurs developing innovative nanotechnology-based products and services.
  
• Public Awareness and Education: Recognizing the importance of public awareness and education, the government has launched programs to inform the public about the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology.
  
  
  

E. International Collaborations by Indian Government in the Field of Nanotechnology

Bilateral Collaborations

• United States: India maintains strong bilateral collaborations with the US in nanotechnology research through initiatives such as the Indo-US Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and the Indo-US Nanotechnology Initiative. These collaborations focus on joint research projects in areas including nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, and nanomedicine.
  
• European Union: India collaborates with European countries through the EU-India Cooperation on Science and Technology, particularly within the European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Board (ENIAC). This partnership emphasizes research and development in nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, and nanobiotechnology.
  
• Japan: India and Japan have a long-standing partnership in nanotechnology research, facilitated through the India-Japan Nanotechnology Consortium (IJNC). This collaboration focuses on joint research projects in nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, and nanomanufacturing.
• Other Countries: India also has bilateral collaborations in nanotechnology with countries like South Korea, Israel, and Australia, focusing on specific areas of mutual interest and expertise.

Multilateral Collaborations

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): India actively participates in the IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program, collaborating with other countries on projects related to radiation safety, nanomaterials characterization, and environmental applications of nanotechnology.
  
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): India contributes to APEC's collaborative initiatives on nanotechnology, which focus on standardization, regulatory frameworks, and promoting innovation in nanotechnology applications.
  
• International Network for Nanotechnology (INN): India is a founding member of the INN, a global platform for collaboration among research institutions, universities, and industries in nanotechnology. This network facilitates the exchange of information, expertise, and resources for advancing nanotechnology research and development.
  

Specific Projects and Initiatives

• Global Alliance for Nanomaterials Safety (GANS): India is a member of GANS, a collaborative initiative aimed at ensuring the safe and responsible development of nanomaterials.
  
• UNESCO Nanotechnology for Sustainable Development Initiative: India actively participates in this initiative, promoting the use of nanotechnology to address global challenges such as clean energy, water purification, and healthcare.
  
• International Conference on Nanotechnology (ICON): India regularly hosts and participates in international conferences like ICON, providing a platform for researchers, scientists, and industries to share knowledge and foster collaborations in nanotechnology.

These international collaborations highlight India's dedication to global leadership in nanotechnology. By engaging in knowledge sharing, joint research projects, and technology transfer, these partnerships are driving innovation, tackling global challenges, and advancing nanotechnology for the betterment of society.