How Nanotechnology is Changing the World - Research Paper Example

How Na chnology is changing the World Introduction Na chnology is an emerging general-purpose technology which deals with the application of clusters of small atoms of 1 nm. ‘Nano’ means very tiny which, in this technology means that the application of nano-sized materials in any technology can possess qualities that are very different from those assumed by the materials when they are applied in bulk form. This is because properties of matter change with size of the material. The nano materials have quantum effects due to their electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, colour change, weight and strength. For instance, while bulk silver has toxic characteristics, nanoscale silver has properties of killing viruses by mere contact. The technology is constructed upon manipulation, regulation and integration of small atomic and molecular particles which lead to formation of components, structures, systems and devices at the nanoscale. This paper will henceforth examine the application of nanotechnology and its potential changes to the world’s technology. The reason why I chose this subject is because nanotechnologies are fast progressing in their application in different sectors. This technology has a promise of great application in the future which will change many aspects of the technologies being used today. The current application of nanotechnologies is limited but very promising in the light of heavy investments being done both at the research level and the industrial level. The technology is favored in many applications due to its ability to improve well-established products which in turn makes such products possess new characteristic which are more advanced in both characteristics and functions such that they are able to perform multiple functions. Due to the relevance of this subject and its wide application potential, more literature has been provided in this field recently. A lot of research is being done both in the laboratories and in the industries. Most of the literature in this field is very recent due to the dynamic nature of this technology as new uses emerge all the time. Adequate attention has been paid on this field as 50, 000 nanotechnologies articles are being produced annually in all parts of the world. Analysis of this materials, statistics and areas of application will enable me to identify the ways in which nanotechnologies is changing the world (Huang, C., 2011). This topic presents a lot of potential for exploration be future researchers. This topic will analyze scholarly materials like journals and recent articles. More research will be analyzed for different industrial and research institutes who have already ventured into research and application of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a general purpose technology which means that its application is generally in all sectors including domestic application. This question can be identified through analysis of areas under which nanotechnologies has significant effects and the benefits that users get or they prospect to get from such technologies. Current applications of nanotechnologies can be seen in the fields of high-performance materials, cosmetics, chemical engineering, optics, environmental sciences, pharmaceutics, electronics, processed food, precision mechanics and energy production. Evidence of this research will also come from analysis of the areas which are currently using this technology. 2. Application of nanotechnology According to Simonis, F., (2006), there is a global move to “green” technology and nanotechnologies offers its users safer, cleaner, longer-lasting, better built and smarter products which are environmental friendly as they do not cause pollution. He holds that technological revolution which will see transformation in how technology is used today. Nanotechnologies application has taken many forms as they are used in almost all sectors ranging from industrial, commercial, education, agriculture, textile, medicine and protection of the environment among others. The objective of using this technology is to improve the existing technologies which benefits users through cost-reduction as well as effectiveness. Nanotechnology is therefore the application of such nanoparticles in practical devices which are then applied in real life. 2.1 Current nanotechnologies application According to Simonis, F., (2006), Nanotechnologies have been on application for a long time now. Variety of products in the market use this technology in different fields such as consumer products, car industry, manufacture of sunglasses, textiles, manufacture of sports equipment and sunscreens and cosmetics as seen below; Window glasses and sunglasses; nanotechnology is applied in the manufacture of sunglasses by adding an antireflective ultrathin polymer crusts and the scratch-resistant crusts on the surface of the sunglass which makes the glasses easy to clean, ultra-thin and more transparent. Window glasses use nanotechnologies as they as coated with titanium oxide nanoparticles which break dirt in the surface of the glass by reacting with sunlight. Titanium oxide nanoparticles helps in making sure that the glass is always clean as only pouring water is involved in washing them. Once water lands on the surface of the glass, it spreads smoothly and rapidly out of the glass carrying the dirt away without any formation of droplets. Textile industry; nanotechnology is applied in the textile industry to improve the texture and material properties of fabrics and other wearable. The properties of the textiles reinforced by this technology include the water proofing, wind proofing, wrinkling and regulation of electrostatic discharges. Nanofibres are used in improving the waterproof properties and windproof properties. High-tech fabrics are being made with added benefits to the users by using nanomaterial. Major projects in the textile industry promises great undertakings in the manufacture of fabrics with electronic functionalities such as “smart fabrics”. Sports equipment; nanotechnology is already in heavy use in the manufacture of sports equipment such as ski wax which has improved performance due to its reinforced gliding surface which makes it more hard and fast. Carbon nanotubes are used in the making tennis rackets which increases its flex resistance and torsion and makes it more rigid to pack more power. Sunscreens and cosmetics; mineral nanoparticles are used in the manufacture of sunscreens which make them more translucent which is a sign of purity for their products. The nanoparticles used here mostly are titanium dioxide which have high UV protection properties and lack the whitening properties which make the cosmetic undesirable. Polymer capsule are used in the manufacture of anti-aging creams. 2.2 Future application of nanotechnologies Luther, (2004) holds that nanotechnologies are changing the technological perspectives of technology in many fields where it was used before, where it is used currently and in prospective new areas. Research in this field has been widely carried globally and the following are the promising areas in which the nanotechnologies will surely change the future world technology-wise. a) Protection of the environment Several scholars like Pitoniak, Quinn, Dror and Chen among others have explored potentiality of nanotechnology as a great promising application in the issue of environmental preservation. EPA holds that the rapid development of nanotechnology comes with its shared level of environment degradation. Nevertheless, the use of this technology in the improvement of the green chemistry and environmental engineering also helps in the development of remediation technologies and environmental sensors which help in the solution of environmental problems through proper measures of identification and prevention. New technologies are also looming in the development of means of producing, using, recycling and disposing already exhausted nanoparticle which can pose dangers to the environment. This will solve the challenges involved in the utilization of the nanotechnology at the same time minimizing the catastrophic impacts which can arise as a result of pollution during manufacture and application of the nanoparticles. Pitoniak, 2005 says that prospective nanomaterials have the potential of removing metal pollutants in the air. For instance, elemental mercury present in vapor produced in the combustion processes can be tapped by Silica-titania nanocomposites as the silica aids in adsorption while titania aids in oxidation of the metal photocatalytically so that the mercury is converted into less volatile form of mercuric oxide (Pitoniak, 2005). Silica has also been demonstrated to aid in the adsorption of other metals which are produced from the combustion chambers in most industries such as cadmium Lead (Lee et al., 2005). Also, poly (amidoamine) dendrimers nanoparticles can be used as potential degradation agent of metal ions such as Cu (II), Fe(III), Ag(I) through the process of infiltration. Dissolved chlorinated solvents which are in aqueous form can be treated by nanoscale zero-valent iron in situ and also remediated though degradation and other strategies that will minimize the risks exposed to the environment by dense non-aqueous phase liquid which are inside the aquifers (Quinn et al., 2005). Tetrachlorethylene, carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene are organic compounds which pose dangers to the environment when not properly disposed. Metalloporphyrinogens are nanoparticles which have the capacity of degradation of these materials under anaerobic conditions (Dror, 2005). Chlorinated compounds can also be degraded by using nanoparticles which are incorporated with Titanium oxide. This process is done under photo catalytic conditions (Chen, 2005). Nanoparticles are also used in the prevention of soil and sediment contamination by remediating the situation through heightened retention of a pollutant. This leads to decreasing sequestration of contaminants which are hydrophobic such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which exposes the contaminant to in situ biodegradation (Tungittiplakorn, 2005). b) Medicine According to US Department of Health and Human Services, nanotechnology has already experienced application in the medical field with the manufacture of the “lab-on-a-chip” devices. The technology is also being manifested in early clinical trials and other tests done on animals to test for reliability and accuracy of the technology. The medical world deals with many micro-sized things and therefore use of nanotechnology which can apply micro scale devices which are very smaller compared to human cells is a welcome promise. Working with devices which are smaller than the smallest biological molecules will enhance efficiency in the medical world. For instance, Hemoglobin has a diameter of approximately 5 nm, the DNA has a diameter of 2.5, a small protein is about Read More