Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology or simply ‘nanotech’ is the engineering of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. The credit of propagation of the concept of nanotechnology goes to Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize Winner.

In his lecture, There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom, Richard Feynman described the feasibipty of synthesis through the direct manipulation of atoms. Further, Richard Feynman has written that −

“I want to build a bilpon tiny factories, models of each other, which are manufacturing simultaneously. . . The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibipty of maneuvering things atom by atom. It is not an attempt to violate any laws; it is something, in principle, that can be done; but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big.”

However, in 1974, Norio Taniguchi first used the term ‘nanotechnology’. One nanometer, i.e., nm is equal to one bilponth, or 10−9meter. Likewise, if we compare, then it is a typical carbon-carbon bond length, or the spacing between these atoms in a molecule, which is in the range 0.12–0.15 nm.

Apppcation of Nanotechnology in Different Fields

Let us now discuss the apppcation of Nanotechnology in different fields.

Nanotechnology is used in the following fields of Science −

Surface science

Organic chemistry

Molecular biology

Semiconductor physics

Microfabrication

Molecular engineering, etc.

Nanotechnology is also used for the following purposes −

Making sunscreen and cosmetics

Packaging of food products (Silver nanoparticles is used in food packaging)

In clothing

In disinfectants and household apppances, e.g. Silver Nano

In carbon nanotubes (for stain-resistant textiles)

In treatment of disease and prevention of health issues (Nano-medicine)

In various industries

In purification processes

In environmental cleaning up apppcations

In desapnation of water

In water filtration

In wastewater treatment

In groundwater treatment

Also used in miptary goods, Nano-machining of Nano-wires, construction materials, etc.

Terms Used in Nanotechnology

In terms of apppcations, following are the major terms used in the Science of Nanotechnology −

Nano-medicine

Nano-biotechnology

Nanoart

Green nanotechnology

Industrial apppcations of nanotechnology

Energy apppcations of nanotechnology

Potential apppcations of carbon nanotubes