nanotechnology 101

NANO-TECHNOLOGY

101

Nanotechnology refers to the fabrication of devices with atomic or molecular scale precision.

“nano” comes from the Greek word nanos which means dwarf.

nanometer is a billionth of a meterm 10 9

Nanoscience is an interdisciplinary field that cuts across physics, biology , engineering, chemistry, computer science, and many more

HISTORY

5th century B.C. - Greeks had already a “nanoscale” notion of matter

Greek philosopher Democritus and his teacher Leucippus thought “matter was composed of undividable particles called atomos

Robert Boyle (1627-1691), pressure in a container of gas is caused by tiny particles (atoms)

Louis Proust (1754-1826), Law of Definite Proportions (molecules)

HISTORY

1905, Albert Einstein, experiment on the diffusion of sugar showed that a single molecule of sugar is about one nanometer in diameter

1959, Richard Feynman, idea of nanotechnology was first introduced, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, talk given at Caltech.

1974 Taniguchi, was the first to use the word "nano-technology in a paper on ion-sputter machining

1977 Drexler originates molecular nanotechnology concepts at MIT

HISTORY

1981 First technical paper on molecular engineering to build with atomic precision and STM invented (by Binnig and Rohrer)

HISTORY

Figure 1: 1981-Invention of STM, Image From Steven Sibener,<http://sibener-group.uchicago.edu/facilities.html>

HISTORY

1981 Drexler published his first article on the subject in the prestigious scientific journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Titled "Molecular engineering: An approach to the development of general capabilities for molecular manipulation,"

HISTORY

1985 Discovery of Buckyball

Figure 2: 1985-Buckyball discovered at Rice University bySmalley et al. Image from Stephen Bond,

<http://femto.cs.uiuc.edu/~sbond/reports/c60c60qm1/buckyball.jpg>

HISTORY

1986 First book published, Engines of Creation served to present Drexler's vision of molecular manufacturing that he outlined in his 1981 paper.

AFM was invented.First organization formed in the same year

HISTORY

Figure 3: 1986-Invention of AFM, image from Mike Tiner,<http://www.cnm.utexas.edu/AFM.HTM> Figure 8 (Graphic9.jpg)

HISTORY

1987 First protein was engineered. First university symposium on nanotechnology was held.

1988 First university course was offered1989 IBM logo spelled in individual atoms. First national conference was held1990 First nanotechnology journal Japan's STA

begins funding nanotech projects

HISTORY1991 Japan''s MITI announces bottom-up "atom factory".

IBM endorses bottom-up path Japan's MITI commits $200 million. Carbon nanotube was discovered.

1992 First textbook was published. First Congressional testimony was delivered.

1993 First Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology was awarded.

First coverage of nanotech from White House. "Engines of Creation" book was given to Rice University administration, stimulating the first university nanotechnology center.

HISTORY

1994 Nanosystems textbook used in first university course US Science Advisor advocates nanotechnology

1995 First think tank report. First industry analysis of military applications.

1996 $250,000 Feynman Grand Prize announced. First European conference NASA begins work in

computational nanotech. First nanobio conference1997 First company founded: Zyvex.

First design of nanorobotic system

HISTORY1998 First NSF forum, held in conjunction with Foresight

Conference First DNA-based nanomechanical device

1999 First Nanomedicine book published First safety guidelines Congressional hearings on proposed National Nanotechnology Initiative

2000 President Clinton announces U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative First state research initiative: $100 million in California

2001 First report on nanotech industry U.S. announces first center for military applications

HISTORY

2002 First nanotech industry conference Regional nanotech efforts multiply

2003 Congressional hearings on societal implications Call for balancing NNI research portfolio Drexler/Smalley debate is published in Chemical & Engineering News

2004 First policy conference on advanced nanotechFirst center for nanomechanical systems

HISTORY

2005 At Nanoethics meeting, Roco announces nanomachine/nanosystem project count has reached 300

2006 National Academies nanotechnology report calls for experimentation toward molecular manufacturing

Devon Fanfair, Salil Desai, Christopher Kelty, The Early History of Nanotechnology<http://cnx.org/content/m14504/latest/>

Significance of Scaling

• Physical characteristics of miniaturized systems tend to vary a great deal from macroscale systems.

Significance of Scaling

Significance of Scaling

APPLICATIONS

Agriculture

• Single molecule detection to determine enzyme/substrate interactions

• Nanocapsules for delivery of pesticides, fertilizers and otheragrichemicals more efficiently

• Delivery of growth hormones in a controlled manner

• Nanosensors for monitoring soil conditions and crop growth

• Nanochips for identity preservation and tracking

Agriculture

• Nanosensors for detection of animal and plant pathogens and about quarantine purposes

• Nanocapsules to deliver vaccines• Nanoparticles to deliver DNA to plants in

genetic engineering• Nanosensors for monitoring plant

microenvironment andits• changes and in green house production of

protected cultivation

Food Processing

• Nanocapsules to improve bioavailability of neutraceuticals in standard ingredients such as cooking oils

• Nanoencapsulated flavor enhancers• Nanotubes and nanoparticles as gelation and

viscosifying agents• Nanocapsule infusion of plant based steroids

to replace a meal’s cholesterol

Food Processing

• Nanoparticles to selectively bind and remove chemicals or pathogens from food

• Nanoemulsions and nanoparticles for better availability and dispersion of nutrients

• Nanocapsules for protecting probioties in animal digestive tracts.

Food Packaging

• Antibodies attached to fluorescent nanoparticles to detect chemicals or food borne pathogens

• Biodegradable nanosensors for temperature, moisture and time monitoring

• Nanoclays and nanofilms as barrier materials to prevent spoilage and oxygen absorption

• Electrochemical nanosensors to detect ethylene

Food Packaging

• Antimicrobial and antifungal surface coatings with nanoparticles (silver, magnesium, zinc)

• Lighter, stronger and more heat resistant films with silicate nanoparticles

• Modified permeation behavior of foils

Supplements

• Nanosize powders to increase absorption of nutrients

• Cellulose nanocrystal composites as drug carrier• Nanoencapsulation of neutrceuticals for better

absorption, better stability or targeted delivery• Nanocochleates to deliver nutrients more efficiently

to cells without affecting color or taste of food• Vitamin sprays dispersing active molecules into

nanodroplets for better absorption

Nanowerk downloaded from <http://www.nanowerk.com/>

Biolabeling

• replacement of organic dyes used for staining biological

• cells (like bacteria) with fluorescent nanoparticles or quantum dots (QDs) like manganese doped zinc

• sulphide36,37 and cadmium selenide38. • QDs arehighly photostable, have higher

luminescence as compared to organic dyes.

Biolabeling

• replacement of organic dyes used for staining biological

• cells (like bacteria) with fluorescent nanoparticles or quantum dots (QDs) like manganese doped zinc

• sulphide36,37 and cadmium selenide38. • QDs arehighly photostable, have higher

luminescence as compared to organic dyes.

Biolabeling

• QDs have a broad absorption spectra and can be excited by a single source. Their emission spectra are narrow, symmetric and tunable

• according to the particle sizes and material composition of the QDs.

Whaley P Molecular Probes labeling & Detection Tech, Invitrogen Corporation.

Precision farming

• long-desired goal to maximise output (i.e. crop yields) while minimising input (i.e. fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, etc) through monitoring environmental variables and applying targeted action.

• makes use of computers, global satellite positioning systems, and remote sensing devices to measure highly localised environmental conditions thus determining whether crops are growing at maximum efficiency or precisely identifying the nature and location of problems.

Precision farming

• By using centralised data to determine soil conditions and plant development, seeding, fertilizer, chemical and water use can be fine-tuned to lower production costs and potentially increase production- all benefiting the farmer.15

• help to reduce agricultural waste and thus keep environmental pollution to a minimum.

• Although not fully implemented yet, tiny sensors and monitoring systems enabled by nanotechnology will have a large impact on future precision farming methodologies.

15 Precision Agriculture: Changing the Face of Farming, Doug Rickman, J.C. Luvall, Joey Shaw, Paul Mask, David Kissel and Dana Sullivan

Photocatalysis19

• Breakdown of organic fertilizers through light exposure

19 Pareek V and Adesina A A 2003 Handbook of Photochemistry and Photobiology Vol 1, 345.

Biotech nanotechnology

• Nanosensors utilising carbon nanotubes16 or nano-cantilevers17 are small enough to trap and measure individual proteins or even small molecules.

• Nanoparticles or nanosurfaces can be engineered to trigger an electrical or chemical signal in the presence of a contaminant such as bacteria.

• Other nanosensors work by triggering an enzymatic reaction or by using nanoengineered branching molecules called dendrimers as probes to bind to target chemicals and proteins

Carbon nanotubes are rolled sheets of graphite that are hollow and a few nm in diameter, but can be several micrometres (or more) long.17 Cantilevers are micro-scaled structures that can be modified to bind specific chemicals. Binding causes the cantilever to bend (much like a diving board), and this movement is detected optically or electronically.18 Down on the farm, ETC group, 2004: http://www.etcgroup.org/documents/ETC_DOTFarm2004.pdf

Nanoresearch in UPLB: Physics Division, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, CAS

• K.S.A. Revelar. An Investigation on the Morphological and Antimicrobial Properties of Electrospun Silver Nanoparticle-Functionalized Polyvinyl Chloride Nanofiber Membranes. IMSP, UPLB. April 2010. Undergraduate Thesis, Adviser: EAFlorido. Co-Adviser: R.B.Opulencia

• A.O.Advincula. Effect of varying Areas of Parallel Plates on Fiber Diameter of Electrospun Polyvinyl Chloride. IMSP, UPLB. April 2010. Undergraduate Thesis, Adviser: EAFlorido

• H.P.Halili. Effect of Solution Viscosity and Needle Diameter on Fiber Diameter of Electrospun Polycaprolactone. IMSP, UPLB. October 2010. Undergraduate Thesis, Adviser: EAFlorido. Co-Adviser: J.I.B. Zerrudo

• J.C.M. La Rosa. Effects of Variation of Distance Between Needle Tip and Collector On the Fabrication of Polyaniline (PANI)-Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Blend Nanofibers. IMSP, UPLB. April 2009. Undergraduate Thesis, Co-Adviser: EAFlorido

• M.J.P.Gamboa. The Effects of Viscosity on the Morphological Characteristics of Electrospun Polyaniline-Polyvinyl Acetate (PAni-PVAc) Nanofibers. IMSP, UPLB. April 2009. Undergraduate Thesis, Co-Adviser: EAFlorido

• J.I.B. Zerrudo, E.A. Florido, M.R. Amada, Fabrication of Polycaprolactone Nanofibers through Electrospinning, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, ISSN 1656-2666, vol. 5,October 22-24, 2008.

• J.I.B. Zerrudo, E.A. Florido, M.R. Amada, B.A.Basilia, Fabrication of Polycaprolactone/Polyehtylene Oxide Nanofibers through Electrospinning, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, ISSN 1656-2666, vol. 5,October 22-24, 2008.

• B.J.Garcia. Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Electrospun Polyvinyl chloride-Polyaniline Nanofibers. IMSP, UPLB. April 2009. Undergraduate Thesis, Adviser: EAFlorido

• J.D. Diego. Electrospinning of Polyaniline and Polyaniline/Polyester Based Fibers. IMSP, UPLB. November 2006.Undergraduate Thesis, Adviser: EAFlorido

Spinach May Soon Power Mobile Devices !

Photosystem I

- biologically inspired photochemical device

- nanoscale photodiode from spinach leaves

- rechargeable energy source

Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nano Encapsulation

- nanocapsules with tuna fish oil

- nanocapsules break only in the stomach

Source: Tip Top Bakery, Australia

‘Tip-Top Up’ - Omega 3 Bread Canola Active Oil

Source: Shemen Industries, Israel

- nanoencapsulation of fortified phytosterols

- reduce cholesterol intake by 14%

Nanoceuticals

• Nano Synergy Energy Booster (Viatmin ,

Calcium, B-Complex)

• Lycopene (supplement carotenoid, phytosterols

by BASF)

• Reduces the surface tension of foods

• Supplement to increase wetness and absorption

Source: www.sprayforlife.com, BASF, The Chemical Company

Nano Composites

Nano food-packaging film (Bayer Polymer Inc) Nanoclay particle based Beer Bottle

(Nanocor Inc)

Lighter and stronger

Minimizes loss of CO2 from Beer

NanoBioluminescence Detection Spray

Source: AgroMicron Ltd.

Nanoengineered luminescent protein emits a visible glow to the surface of Salmonella and E.Coli

Lab in a Pea Pod

Source: Sandia National Laboratories, USA; CSIRO, Australia; Agilent Technologies

Chip for Quality Analysis Protein Lab Chip

Nano Powered Catalytic Device

Source: www.oilfresh.com

- Coated with 20 nm width Zeolite

nanoparticles

- better taste, crisper deep-fried foods

- better consistency of product

- lower costs

- USFDA, NSF approved

Nano-Electronic Tongue

Nano- Electronic Tongue Quality control for beverages by electronic tongue

Source: Kraft foods

Nano Cleaning

Non-toxic Nano Emulsion Disinfectant

Source: Envirosystems Inc; Altair Nanotechnologies Ltd

Nanocheck Algae Preventor

Nano Feed for Chicken

Source: Biofactors Journal, 2001 Altair Nanotechnologies Ltd

• Nano Selenium may stop bird flu

• Nano Chicken Feed - polystyrene

nanoparticles bind with bacteria to

chickens as alternative to chemical

antibiotics

Nano Agro Chemicals

Nano Fungicide Nano Plant Growth Regulator

• Timely released

• Time controlled

• Spatially targeted

• Regulated

• Responsive and

effective Delivery

Source: Syngenta Corporation

Smart Dust

Source: University of California, Berkeley

Potential Applications:

1. Monitoring humidity, temperature in the environment

2. Detecting onset of food spoilage and food freshness

3. Monitor soil conditions and crop growth for precision farming

Nano Management for Farm Production

• Injectable Nano-chips for Animal Tracking

• Nano-Eugenics - Remotely Regulating Animals

• Nanosensors and Drug Delivery Systems for Animals

• Nano-Bo-Peep for health monitoring of Crops and Animals

• Nanosystems for Identity Preservation and Tracking

Nano Sensors for Grain Storage

Pressure Sensor

Acoustic Sensors

Odour Sensor

Temperature Sensor

Carbon dioxide Sensor

Humidity and Dust SensorGrain Bin

Nano This and Nano That

• Biomicro-electromechanical systems

• Nucleic acid bioengineering

• ‘Smart’ treatment delivery systems

• Animal Breeding by nanotubes

Challenges and Issues

• What are the unintended consequences?

• Little is known about how the particles interact with the environment and human body?

• Nanoparticles might ferry toxins right past the body's normal defense

• Royal Society (UK): Nanotechnology pose health and environmental risks great enough to justify banning (Washington Post 7/30/04)

• ETC Group: : “Horrendous social and environmental risks”;.

Nano No - No ??

• Potential unforeseen risks• More safety data needed before using

nanotechnology in agriculture• Concerns over the use and consumers safety• Ethical Issues• ETC Group and Government Agencies

References

1. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/topic/nanotech-archive.html

2. www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?id=63704

3. Nanoparticles make Durethan films airtight and glossy, Bayer Polymers

4. www.ptonline.com/articles/kuw/12437.html

5. www.agromicron.com/BTP.htm

6. www.nanoforum.org

7. www.nanotechnow.com

8. Small Times Magazine

9. www.cornell.edu

10. www.mit.edu