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Nanotechnology, also known as nanotech or nanotechnology meaning controlling and understanding the matters like atoms, and molecules, that fall within the dimensions of 1 to 100 nanometers to develop some innovative technologies and applications. It includes some diverse fields of science such as organic chemistry, energy storage, surface science, engineering, molecular biology, microfabrication, molecular physics, and semiconductor physics. As of now, scientists are under debate regarding the applications of nanotechnology. With the help of this technology, new devices and materials can be created, and it has a wide application as well. The major application of nano technology is in nanoelectronics, biomaterials products, and nanomedicine.
Origin of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology came into the discussion from Richard Feynman, a famous physicist. This discussion started from the “There’s plenty of room at the Bottom” talk, which is also famous, and in this talk, the possibilities of production from atomic manipulation were described. It was started in 1959, and after a decade, Norio Taniguchi coined the term nanotechnology.
What is nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology means the execution of engineering, technology, and science at a nanoscale that has dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology and nanoscience refer to the application and study of these things under nanoscale and how we can use them in other fields of science.
Fundamental Concepts of Nanotechnology Engineering
Nanotechnology engineering and nanoscience include controlling molecules and atoms, which has made everything present on earth. As these atoms and molecules cannot be seen from naked eyes, the microscope used to see nano things was made in the 1980s. It includes all the abilities that lead to producing items using techniques from bottoms up and the tools that are now developed to generate such products with great performance.
Current research
As of now, a few approaches are being adopted for this technology. These include:
- Nanomaterials: This involves studying and developing materials that exhibit characteristics that arise via nanoscale dimensions of those materials.
- Bottom-up Approach: This consists of the arrangement of components that are smaller into a complicated assembly.
- Top-down Approach: This consists of creating smaller devices with the help of larger ones.
- Functional Approach: This consists of the development of components for specific functionality. It is developed without giving any regard to the assembly of matter.
Current examples of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is now used in some major industries. Some of the current examples of nanotechnology are discussed below.
Nanotechnology in Medicine
Nanotechnology in medicine is now giving us some breakthroughs. With the help of nanotechnology, medicines are now becoming safe, cheap, easy to access, and even personalized. In the medicine industry, nanotechnology has given many positive results, and various studies are going on for the same. One good example includes the development of possibilities for increasing nerve cell growth with the help of nanotechnology.
Food Security
In food packaging, nanosensors are now used in detecting contaminants like salmonella.
Automotive
There are now rechargeable batteries of high power resulting from nanoengineered materials.
Electronics
Nanostructured polymer films are now incorporated in modern screen appliances like phones and iPads.
Energy
Nanotechnology is now also used in energy areas as it has helped improve solar panels’ efficiency. It is also used in creating new types of batteries and has also made solar panels cost-effective. This has also helped enhance fuel production efficiency with the help of catalysis.
Environment
Scientists and researchers are now developing nanostructured filters to help remove impurities and viruses from water. This can help increase the availability of drinking water and be affordable. There is also the development of paper towels made by nano fabrics that absorb oil twenty times more than its weight. This can be used in the clean-up of oil spills.
Cosmetics
Nanomaterials are also used in cosmetics as they improve the absorbing, cleansing and coverage of cosmetic products.
Textiles
Additives of nanoscale are used in fabrics that help make the fabric stain resistant. It can also make it wrinkle-free and reduce and resist bacterial growth.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is all about studying and understanding molecules and atoms, and other nanoscale materials. It also involves controlling and seeing how they can be helpful in different industries. There are currently many successful examples of nanotechnology present in different industries, and it has proved beneficial so far. Scientists are hoping that in the future, nanotechnology will give more applications.
