Nanotechnology

The idea of Nanotechnology was born on December 29, 1959, by Richard Feynman. He was giving a lecture about exploring the idea of building things at the atomic and molecular scale in the APS meeting.  He delivered a famous lecture “There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. 

What is Nano?

Nano is the Greek word “Nanos” which means dwarf i.e., very very small. When we say something is nano, it means that something is very small. We use it to describe units such as the kilogram, second, meter, etc. We use everyday kilometer whenever I purchase any groceries, fruits, etc.

We know that1 kilometer = 1000 meter

1 meter = 1000 millimeter

1 millimeter = 1000 micrometer

And there’s also a nanometer which is 1000 times smaller than a micrometer. It means the nanometer is a billion times smaller than the meter.

1 nm = 10^-9 m 

Examples of Nano Size,

1. Red blood cell – It is about 10 micrometers wide. (10 micrometers= 10000 nanometers)
2. Virus – It is about one-tenth of a micrometer wide. (0.1 micrometers = 100 nanometers)
3. Sugar Module – It is about 1 nanometer wide.
4. Atom – It is about one-tenth of a nanometer wide. 

Let me tell you one more example of a nanometer, The current generation of transistors in a computer is switched between 1 and 0. 

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the creation of functional materials, devices, and systems through the control of nanoscale materials (1 to 100 nanometers). It is the design, production, and application of materials at the nanoscale. It is built on the scale of atoms and molecules. 

Making new things at this incredibly small scale is nanotechnology. It means making things smaller or putting some more objects in the same place. It’s one of the most exciting and fast-moving areas of science nowadays. 

Nanotechnology products will be smaller, cheaper, lighter yet more functional, and require less energy and fewer raw materials to manufacture.  

A few examples of nanotechnology: –

1. Medicines 

Medicines are one of the most exciting and powerful materials of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology allowed to delivery of medicine to be cheaper, safer, and easier. Nanotechnology is an improved drug delivery system for many diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

2. Energy

Nanotechnology is being used in many energy areas. It’s improved the efficiency and low cost of solar panels, create a new type of battery and create better lighting systems. 

3. Environment

Nanotechnology makes the environment clean and fresh. Scientists are growing nanostructured filters that help in removing virus cells and other impurities from water so that water is pure and clean

Advantages of Nanotechnology:-

1. The development of nanotechnology caused more effective energy-producing, energy-absorbing, and energy-storage products in the smaller and most efficient devices possible.
2. It can increase the efficiency of energy consumption. 
3. It can help clean the environment and solve major health problems.
4. It is able to massively increase manufacturing production at minimum costs. 
5. It helps in energy generation by making solar panels more efficient and cost-effective.
6. It helps in electronics by increasing the accuracy of the construction of electronic circuits at an atomic level, leading to the development of numerous electronic products.

Disadvantages of Nanotechnology:-

1. Possible loss of jobs in the traditional farming and manufacturing industry. 
2. Very few people have known information on the health and safety aspects of exposure to nanotechnology.
3. Currently, nanotechnology is very expensive, and developing it can cost a lot of money.
4. The development of nanotechnology can also bring about the crash of certain markets due to the lowering of the value of oils and diamonds. 
5. Their primary toxic effect is to induce inflammation in the respiratory tract, causing tissue damage.
6. There is also the possibility of the use of fossil fuels won’t be required in the future.