Major Approaches to Nanotechnology - Essay Example

?Topic Na chnology has dramatically taken the center of development in this decade of information technology. Its exponential growth in the production of nanostructured gadgets and nano devices expanded the opportunities specially that its application deals with the essential application of for information, communication, science, technology, pharmaceuticals and to healthcare. Advanced countries have unceasingly developed the exploration of nanotechnology’s significance for agriculture, water and other utility development, for science advancement, research development and for medical necessities (ACTU, 2009, p 1-4; Alonso & Alguacil, 2002, pp. 1342-1347; Roco, 2001,pp. 225-233; Singh, Olson, & Maher, 2007, pp. 189-190; Takagi , Hirose A, Nishimura, Fukumori, Ogato, Ohashi, Kitajima & Kanno, 2008, pp. 105-116; Takenaka ,Karg , Roth, Schulz , Ziesenis, Heinzmann, Chramel, & Heyder, 2001, 547-461; Tinkle, Antonini, Roberts , Salmen, DePree & Adkins, 2003, pp, 1202-1208; Tran, BuBuchanan, Cullen, Searl, Jones, & Donaldson, 2000, pp, 1113-1126; Vincent & Clement, 2000, pp. 2673-2682. ). Describe the down and bottom up approach to nanotechnology There are two approaches in synthesizing nano materials and the creation of nano structures. These are top-down and bottom-up approaches (Gitam University, 2013). Top down approach is the slicing or successive cutting of a bulk material to get nano sized particle (Gitam University, 2013; Srinivasan, 2008, p. 1-3; Sullivan, 2001, pp. 51-53).  Bottom up approach, on the other hand, refers to the build-up of a material from the bottom (Gitam University, 2013). This means materials are reduced atom by atom, molecule by molecule or cluster by cluster. Both approaches are considered crucial in the development of modern nano industry and both possessed advantages and disadvantages (Gitam University, 2013).  Experts cited that process of attrition or milling is a common top down method in establishing nano particles while the colloidal dispersion is a bottom up type approach in synthesizing nano particles (Gitam University, 2013; Iqbal, Preece, & Mendes, 2012, p, 1). Experts explained that the problem with top down approach is the surface structure imperfection and the potential crystallographic damages in the construction method (Gitam University, 2013). This posed additional challenges in the architectural design and fabrication of matters although the application remained favourable to the production of nano materials albeit some limitations and risks posed by researchers (Gitam University, 2013; Brown, 2002, p. 1). Notwithstanding defects, nanotech continues to play an important role in the synthesis of nano structures (Gitam University, 2013). The century is experiencing this advancement. This is even done in the production of salt and nitrate in chemical industry(Gitam University, 2013; Institute Of Nanotechnology, 2003, p, 245). Long ago, people are already content to use rock salt as mixture and for food preservation. These days, there are already iodized salt that are reduced into minute particles in the market. Hence, tools are now made with nanometer scale to produce nano structures with less defects, and more homogeneous chemical composition (Gitam University, 2013; Institute Of Nanotechnology, 2003, p, 245). Unlike the bottom up approach, the top-down method introduces internal stress, surface defects and possible contamination. To further cite an example, electronic integrated circuits are created using top-down process with limitations described (Gitam University, 2013; Institute Of Nanotechnology, 2003, p, 245). Bottom-up approach assembles materials in supramolecular chemistry that combined an alternative route (Gitam University, 2013; Institute Of Nanotechnology, 2003, p, 245). Indicate the current stage of technology progress towards each of these. The development of laptops, microchips for information archiving, production of scanning tunneling microscope, digital cameras with zooming lenses that capture and video stream events, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and small-angle elastic X-ray scattering for medical technology are some of the few evidences how nan technology advanced in this millennium (Moinuddin, Rashdi, & Bhutto,2010, pp, 377-388; Nano.gov, 2013, p. 1) Nano cars are now also produced to replace the crude and oil dependent vehicle that has been blamed as major contributory of air pollutants (Moinuddin, Rashdi, & Bhutto,2010, pp, 377-388; Nano.gov, 2013, p. 1) The exploration of planet Mars was also facilitated by the invention of a robotic Curiosity that possessed such advanced technology to photograph, examine solid rocks, and other matters on that planet instead of human beings on space suits doing the actual documentary activities (Moinuddin, Rashdi, & Bhutto,2010, pp, 377-388; Nano.gov, 2013, p. 1) These are combined innovative and scientific design made by engineers and scientists in the development of nano materials. These inventions are also considered as one of the leading breakthrough with customized product unique and distinct properties (Hornyak, Dutta, Tibbals, & Rao, 200, pp. 1-3). There is an estimated of US$500 million to 2,600 billion by 2014 (Hornyak, Dutta, Tibbals, & Rao, 2008, pp. 1-3). Jobs are expected to be generated too as the nanotech market is slowly progressing too. This has become one of the leading causes of global convergence as industries aimed at establishing an integrated interdisciplinary paradigm of science and engineering (Roco & Bainbridge, 2001; Parr, 2003, pp. 23). Hence, it has been perceived that its advent will change the landscape of social relations as well, and the way how people live. In fact, aside from nano cars, steam engines have been changed with electricity-based locomotives that are supported with information communication technology (ICT) while it’s undertaking intercontinental point of destinations. Nowadays, nanomanufacturing became the technological trend toward nanoscale (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1). Experts cited that in building airplane the days, engineers can make use of bottom-up approach to nanomanufacturing using atomic- and molecular-scale components and optimizing certain molecular-scale components together that will facilitate spontaneity of materials to self-assemble from bottom up to ordered structures (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1; Regalado, 2003, p. 1). Other examples for these processes can be viewed in the development of the following (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1): a. Chemical vapor deposition that facilitate the chemicals reaction to produce homogenous and pure high-performance films (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); b. Molecular beam epitaxy  is a process of depositing highly controlled thin films (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); c. Atomic layer epitaxy is a way of depositing one-atom-thick layers on a surface (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); d. Dip pen lithography is a method wherein a tip of an atomic force microscope is "dipped" into a chemical fluid and is optimized as a space for writing purposes (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); e. Nanoimprint lithography is a way of making nanoscale features by stamping (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); f. Roll-to-roll processing is a high-volume method to create annoscale devices on a roll of ultrathin plastic or metal (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); g. Self-assembly feature the method wherein a group of components came together to form an ordered structure without an external direction (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1); Indeed, structures and properties of materials can be developed more through nano-manufacturing processes for a “stronger, lighter, more durable, water-repellent, anti-reflective, self-cleaning, ultraviolet- or infrared-resistant, antifog, antimicrobial, scratch-resistant, or electrically conductive, among other traits (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1).” In fact, “nanotechnology is now used for refining crude oil, for ultrasensitive detection, for identification of biological and chemical toxins (Nano.gov , 2013, p. 1).” Summarize Richard Feynman's lecture "there is plenty of room at the bottom"  In the lecture of Richard P. Feynman in 1960, he pointed that in Nanotechnology, there is Plenty of Room at the Bottom. He implied that – not just "There is Room at the Bottom (Feynman, 1960, p. 1)." He articulated that sizes of things and matters can be decreased I a very scientific and practical way (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). In nanotechnology, there is always possibilities based on principles and laws of physics that realities or matters can be reduced into one single tablet (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). For instance, he cited that all of the information of an encyclopaedia can be saved electronically in one single room storage (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). He said that all 120,000 books and information in a huge library can be stored in a microchips and can be made accessible anytime (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). Feynman (1960) cited that data of Britannica can be saved in single head of a pin at a sixteenth of an inch across (p. 1). He argued that ythis database in the Encyclopaedia can be reduced in a 25,000 times and calculated that if this can be demagnified by 25,000 times, it’s still 80 angstroms in diameter – 32 atoms across in an ordinary metal (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). He expressed that each dot could contain in its area 1,000 atoms and can be readjusted in size by the photoengraving and concluded that that there is enough room on the head of a pin to put all of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). This is not in relations to gravity but believed that while things can be reduced in a miniscule and can be saved in micro storage, it’s likewise possible that electron microscope can be improved a hundred times to make it possible for readers and viewers to see those information saved and written in microchips (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). If the wavelength of the electron microscope is only 1/20 of an angstrom, this can be improved to make it possible to see individual atoms (Feynman, 1960, p. 1). Describe one common Micro fabrication technique used today described in the second paragraph Using Feynman’s discussion in the 1960w, the development of micro secure digital cards for information technology has become the most generally used saving devise of information and database nowadays. Micro Sd is used these days for computers, for digital camera, for cellphones, for tablets, for laptop, for navigational purposes and the like. As micro storage of database, it is very lightly portable can be accessed all the time. With these micro chip, database of an encyclopedia or stories from books can be saved and read without the necessity of purchasing those bulky materials. The host devices of these microchips allow its capacity and functionalities to be optimized at the maximum level. 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