THE NANO

WORLD
The engineering of functional systems at the
molecular scale.
It is a Hybrid Science combining Engineering,
Chemistry and to a certain extent Biology.
It deals with the creation of functional materials ,
devices, systems through control of matter or
nanoscale.
It placed the footprints in the field of energy, medicine,
electronics, computing, security and materials.
– Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and manipulation of
materials at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scales, where
properties differ significantly from those at a larger scale.

– Nanotechnologies are the design, characterization, production

and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling
shape and size at nanometre scale.
• Norio Taniguichi of Tokyo Science University coined the term
nanotechnology to describe semiconductor processes such as
thin-film deposition that deal with control on the order of
nanometers
• Nano can refer to technologies, materials, particles, objects – we are focusing on
nanomaterials as these are already being used in workplaces more widely
• A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick, a human hair is around 80,000-
100,000 nanometers wide

Human hair and a sheet of

paper
References:
http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/snapshots/nanotechnology
http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101
Yanam ala N, Kagan VG and Shvedova AA (2013), Adv. Drug Del. Rev. 65,
2070-2077. "Molecular m odeling in structural nano-toxicology: Interactions
of nano-particles with nano-machinery of cells".
 NANOMETRE SCALE (1 ΜM = 1000 NM) – VIRUSES
& DNA
• 50 – 100 nm • 2 nm

www.answers.com/topic/virus
http://www.gala-instrumente.de/images/deben_CCD_DNA.jpg
NANOSTRUCTURES

• Nanoparticles
 DIFFERENT A PPROACHES TO
N A NOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnologies can be:

• Top-down
– Etching a block of material down to the desired
shape
– Chips and processors

• Bottom-up
– Building materials atom by atom - like lego
– Nanoparticles such as C60, carbon nanotubes,
quantum dots

Im ages:
Provided by Steffen Foss Hansen, Danish Technical
University, except C60 im age from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullerene and quantum dot from
http://en.rusnano.com/upload/OldNews/Files/33619/current.gi
f

Date, location
 ADVANTAGES OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
 Protect drugs from being degraded in the
body before they reach their target
 Enhances the absorption of drugs into
tumors and into the cancerous cells
themselves.
 Allows for better control over the timing
and distribution of drugs to the tissue,
making it easier for oncologists to
assess how well they work.
 Prevent drugs from interacting with
normal cells , thus avoiding side effects.
NANOSTRUCTURES

• Fullerenes – e.g. carbon nanotubes and buckyballs

 NANOSTRUCTURES

• Quantum dots

http://www.nanopicoftheday.org/2003Pics/QDRainbow.htm

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/update/quantumdots.htm
NANOSTRUCTURES

http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/05nano_image_gallery.htm
• Non-carbon nanotubes

• Nanowires

• Biopolymers

• Dendrimers

http://nano.med.umich.edu/projects/dendrimers.html
 APPLICATIONS
• Catalysts • Food
– Envirox™ cerium oxide – packaging
• Nanoremediation • Paint
– SAMMS technology to remove – improved adhesion and anti-
mercur y fungal qualities/anti-graffiti
• Paper • Clothes
– photographic paper – non-staining and anti-radiation
• Filters • Batteries
– nanofibres – (Black & Decker) phosphate
nanocr ystal technology
• Toothpaste
– to remineralise teeth • Cleaning products
POTENTIALS RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
NANOTECHNOLOGY

• Adverse health effects in humans from deliberate or

accidental exposure

• Adverse effects on the environment from deliberate

or accidental exposure

• Potentially explosive properties of nanostructures

RISK ASSESSMENT PROBLEMS

• Very difficult to detect without sophisticated equipment

• Difficult to predict how particles will behave in the environment (dispersed/clumped)

• Small size may result in particles passing into the body more easily (inhalation, ingestion,
absorption)

• May be more reactive due to surface area to volume ratio

• Potential to adsorb toxic chemicals

• Persistence - Longevity of particles in the environment and body are unknown

REFERENCES
• http://www.nanopicoftheday.org/2003Pics/QDRainbow.htm
• http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/05nano_image_gallery.htm
• http://nano.med.umich.edu/projects/dendrimers.html
• http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/update/quantumdots.htm
Steffen Foss Hansen, Danish Technical University, except C60 image from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullerene and quantum dot from
http://en.rusnano.com/upload/OldNews/Files/33619/current.gif
www.answers.com/topic/virus
http://www.gala-instrumente.de/images/deben_CCD_DNA.jpg
http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/snapshots/nanotechnology
http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101
Yanamala N, Kagan VG and Shvedova AA (2013), Adv. Drug Del. Rev. 65,
2070-2077. "Molecular modeling in structural nano-toxicology:
Interactions of nano-particles with nano-machinery of cells".