Mainstreaming of this area is expected to result in paradigm shifts in various fields, from agriculture, environment and energy to medicines and diagnosis. More than 600 nano products are already available in the market, even though the technology is still in nascent stages
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| A gear chain with a mite approaching. Source: mems.sandia.gov |
Can you imagine gold in a different color? Perhaps not, but this is possible, courtesy nanotechnology—the technology that has made it possible to not only reach the molecular scale of a material, but also manipulate it at this level. Nanotechnology, hailed as the next big revolution in the field of technology after IT and biotechnology, has enormous opportunities emerging in this area.
Nanotechnology exploits the fact that all materials at the molecular scale (1-100 nanometers [nm]) behave differently from when they are in larger form (a nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter). Nanomaterials have proved to be stronger, lighter and better conductors of electricity and heat. Nanopaint, for instance, does not allow dust to stick to its surface and will last for more than 100 years. With over 600 nanoproducts already in the market worldwide, the market for nanotechnology is growing, and is expected to touch US$1 trillion by 2015. Some Indian companies like Dabur, Nanoshel, MoserBaer and RGe have taken the lead in doing research on nanotechnology. UK-based Cientifica, a leading nanotechnology research firm, estimates that governments and companies across the world will start making an annual investment of over US $4 billion a year by 2010.
Nanomaterials and their properties
Materials with nano-sized particles, that is, articles up to 100 nm in size, embedded in them are referred to as nanomaterials. Nanomaterials inherit characteristics of nanoparticles and exhibit property enhancements like improved ductility, tensile properties and resistance to tear. Nanoparticles have a much greater surface area to volume ratio than their conventional forms and their quantum effects are also much different from when they are larger.
Nanomaterials, which can be of various shapes and forms, can be nanoscale in one dimension (as in surface films), two dimensions (as in strands or fibers) or three dimensions (as in particles). They can be classified into carbon -based, metal-based, dendrimers and composites. Carbon nanomaterials can be spherical or ellipsoidal or can be in the form of tubes. Spherical and ellipsoidal ones are referred to as fullerenes, while cylindrical ones are called nanotubes. Metal-based nanomaterials include quantum dots (Qdots), nanogold, nanosilver, and metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Nanocomposites are a combination of nanoparticles with other nanoparticles or larger bulk-type materials. Dendrimers are nanosized polymers seen as possible nanocarriers to ensure an effective delivery of drug to the specified cell.
| Market Size Estimates | (in US$) |
| Global (US National Science Foundation) | 1 trillion by 2015 |
| Global (Lux Research) | 2.6 trillion by 2014 |
| India (ReportLinker) | 100 million in 2008 |
Nanoproducts can be seen on sale in market in the form of wrinkle-free and stain-resistant textiles, longer-lasting paints, flash drives with huge memory spaces, sunscreens giving better protection against UV rays, longer-lasting tennis balls, and nano toothpastes. Samsung has introduced refrigerators, washing machines and air-coolers that use nanotechnology. According to the consumer product inventory maintained by the US-based Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), the number of consumer products using nanotechnology has grown from 212 in March 2006 to over 600. According to PEN, over 60% of these products pertain to the field of health and fitness, which includes cosmetics. Nanoscale silver, according to PEN, is the most cited nanomaterial. Of the various products on its inventory it is found in over 20% of them. Carbon-based nanomaterials—carbon nanotubes and fullerenes—are the second most cited.
| Nanotechnology Global Fact Sheet | |
| Annual investment per year on R&D by 2010 | $4 billion |
| Investment made so far in nanotechnology R&D | $13 billion |
| Number of consumer products using nanotechnology | Over 600 |
| Sector with highest concentration of nanoproducts | Health and fitness (over 60%) |
| Types of nanomaterials | 1. Carbon-based: Carbon nanotubes, fullerenes 2. Metal-based: Nanosilver, nanogold, Qdots 3. Dendrimers 4. Nanocomposites |
| Most cited nano materials | Nanosilver, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes |
| Minimum chip size available | 32 nm (22 nm to be available by 2013) |
| Nanoparticle used to manufacture artificial heart valves | Nanocrystalline silicon carbide |
| Patents granted in nanotechnology (till 2004) | 5,340 in the USA, 2,559 in Europe, 1,220 in Asia |
Applications
With nanomaterials widely available, a lot of options have opened up on the application side. Many projects promising huge dividends are ongoing in diverse fields, from electronics to medicine and from energy and environment to cosmetics and computers.
Application in electronics
The electronics industry has always been obsessed with producing the slimmest of microprocessors that can compute at faster speeds. Technological impediments make it difficult to manufacture such miniature microprocessors right now. These obstacles can be overcome using nanotechnology. Manufacturers can use nanocrystalline starting materials to create microprocessors with ultra-high purity, better thermal conductivity and durability.
Speaking at the recently concluded Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference on nanotechnology, IBM’s Kota Murali said, “We have chips of size 45 nm right now. By next year chip size can go down to 32 nm.”
Intel is expected to put 32 nm chips into commercial production by late this year and be ready with 22 nm chips by 2013.
Nanotechnology can also be used to synthesize nanocrystalline phosphors, which can not only increase the resolution of electronic devices like flat-panel displays and televisions, but also reduce the manufacturing costs of these devices. Flat-panel displays constructed out of Qdots have been found to possess higher brightness and contrast than the conventional ones.
Application in energy and environment
At a time when energy consumption is rising exponentially and fossil fuels are depleting, nanotechnology is seen as a panacea for all energy problems. Moser Baer’s Girirai Nyati says, “Next-generation energy devices have to be reliable alternative to fossil fuels, green, affordable and must have grid parity [self-sustaining without any government support].” For such energy devices, Nyati is looking towards nanotechnology.
It is quite possible that nano-based solar cells and fiber nano generators will turn into a reality in future, as companies like Moser Baer are working on prototypes. Nanotechnology can help develop better three-dimensional insulating materials called aerogels, which, if used in offices and homes, can help save power. They can also be used to manufacture high energy density batteries. Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries made of nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydrides are also being seen as alternatives to conventional batteries. These will require far less recharging and last much longer because of their enhanced physical, chemical and mechanical properties.
Research into automobile catalytic converters and power generation equipment where nanomaterials can act as catalysts to react with toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide rendering them harmless are at advanced stages. This can help cut environmental pollution arising from fossil fuels in different forms. Ashok Bhaskarwar of IIT Delhi looks at the possibilities of electrodes and super capacitors being made from nanomaterials. A prototype spark plug design called railplug is already in place. It is stronger, harder and more wear and corrosion-resistant compared to conventional spark plugs. Bhaskarwar also talks of the possibilities of hydrogen storage through carbon nanotubes as a source of energy.
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written by alagiri, February 08, 2010
Greetings,
Introducing myself as a candidate, and I did PhD (Defect-induced transport properties of semiconducting polymers”, JNCASR, Bangalore, 2001 under the guidance of Prof. K. S. Narayan) from Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research Center (JNCASR), Bangalore followed by several higher research postdoctoral works in University of Bayreuth (Germany, Feb. 2002 - Feb. 2003), Seoul National University (South Korea, Mar. 2004 – Apr. 2005), and National Chiao Tung University (Taiwan, Mar. 2006 – Apr. 2007) respectively. I have been serving as the Asst. Prof. (sr.grade) in the Dept. of Physics (in association with Center of excellence in Nanotechnology), SRM University, Chennai. We are organizing the conference especially on nanoscience and nanotechnology (there are no constaints on topics) at international level for the first time. However, the major themes are as follows;
MAJOR THEMES
Nano materials - Synthesis and Characterization, Quantum Nanostructures, Nanocarbons, Nanodiamonds and other related structures,
Nanocomposites, Nanomedicine (Targeted drug delivery), Nanoelectronics, Nano – Optics, Computational Nanotechnology,
Nanomechanical engineering & sensors, Nanolithography, Nanomagnetism,
Nanomedicine, BioNanotechnology, Industrial and Commercial Applications, Intellectual Property Rights
May I take an opportunity and my humble request/great pleasure to you to provide the sponsorship for the forthcoming conference?
However, the conference is scheduled on Feb.24-26/2010. The other details can be found from the below-mentioned links
http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/events.php?page=intercon_nano
http://www.iconn2010.com/
Hope it would be of definitely benefited. Kindly revert to me with your convenience.
Thanks for the time dissipation,
SRM-U sincerely
Chennai AAA
Why can't we learn to cook instead of starving????????
" Happiness/sadness is merely a transient state of mind "
Dr. Alagiriswamy A A,
Asst. Prof. (Sr. Grade)
Molecular Nanoelectronics Laboratories, Dept. of Physics,
Faculty of Engineering and Technology unit,
SRM -University, Chennai,
Tamilnadu, India
Handy : 91-9791512150
Tel: 91-44-30402976
written by Abhinav Sharma, July 01, 2009
written by Dr.S.Mokkapati, June 27, 2009
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