What do you understand by Nano technology? Discuss its applications.

What is NanoTechnology?

Nanotechnology is the use and the developments of techniques to study physical phenomena and develop new material and devices structures in the physical size range from 1 to 100 nanometres (nm).

• It operates at atoms and molecular levels.
• It is just 10 times the size of a hydrogen atom.
• At this level the standard laws of physics and chemistry do not apply.
• Quantum Physical and chemical properties operate.
• E.g. carbon nanotubes are 100 times in strength and 6 times lighter than steel.

Applications of Nanotechnology:

Some of the recent developments in the application of nanotechnology in India are listed below:

• Medical and Healthcare applications:
  • For diagnosis and treatment.
  • Nano nose helps in detection of cancer by analyzing breath.
  • Artificial skin made using nanotechnology can help in generation of natural skin.
  • Nano silver band-aid to curb burns available in India.
  • Nano medicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, draws on the natural scale of biological phenomena to produce precise solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

• Agriculture: 
  • Nanogels, nano pesticides and nano herbicides help in crop rotation and keeping pests away.
  • Nano fertilizers help in enhancing soil fertility and better input management.
  • Carbon Dots generated from dries water hyacinth acts as bio indicators.
  • Nano emulsion, Nano Biosensors and Nano Fibres are used for food processing and antimicrobial packaging.

• Defence and Space: 
  • Carbon nanotubes help in making stronger and lighter equipment.
  • Nano suits for soldiers.
  • Nano drones and nano sensors in warfare.
• Energy Applications:
  • Nanotechnology is finding application in traditional energy sources and is greatly enhancing alternative energy approaches to help meet the world’s increasing energy demands.
  • For example, Nanotechnology is improving the efficiency of fuel production from raw petroleum materials through better catalysis. It is also enabling reduced fuel consumption in vehicles and power plants through higher-efficiency combustion and decreased friction
• Environment remediation:
  • Nanotechnology can help improve energy efficiency, there are also many ways that it can help detect and clean up environmental contaminants
  • For example, Nano Filters using Nano Membrane could help meet the need for affordable, clean drinking water through rapid, low-cost detection and treatment of impurities in water.
• Future Transportation Benefits:
  • Nanotechnology offers the promise of developing multifunctional materials that will contribute to building and maintaining lighter, safer, smarter, and more efficient vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, and ships. In addition, nanotechnology offers various means to improve the transportation infrastructure.

Challenges:

• Nano materials are so small that they are expected to disrupt cellular or enzymatic level causing health hazards.
• Nanoparticles are considered to be non-biodegradable and on disposal may create non-biodegradable waste.
• Insufficient knowledge of how nanoparticles will behave when applied in real time situations.
• High cost of technology.
• Governance issues: Interdisciplinary subject which requires policies to ascertain their use.
• Ethical consequences: It can be used as a performance enhancer e.g. drug which cannot be detected, can be used to violate privacy via nano drones.
• Economic Development: Advance economies can take advantage to replace imported raw materials sourced from poor countries creating further economic inequality.
• It can create a reverse effect in Global Supply Chain Management.
• Nano cellulose is highly toxic and can enter the food chain via food and create health hazards.

Nanotechnology & India:

Scientific experts from all over the country came together at the National Conference – Nano India 2019 to discuss ways of using nanotechnology for the development of products and processes for national development, especially in areas of national relevance like safe drinking water, materials development, sensors development, and drug delivery.

Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission)

• It seeks to focus on capacity building for development in nanotechnology and achieve its applied potential for development in India.
• It involves basic research promotion through funding scientists, students involved in it.
• Steps for infrastructure development for nano science and technology.
• Focus on human resource development with interdisciplinary approach. International collaborations with access to research facilities abroad