Nanotechnology in the 21st Century

Mohammad Newaz (1315904)

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Abstract
The purpose of this report is to evaluate Nanotechnology as an emerging technology through a
detailed and critical analysis. At first, a general introduction is presented for this technology,
followed by the market demand and funding for the Research and Development (R&D). ). This
report will also address the impact that this technology has on the public in their everyday lives
and how it is changing because of this technology. This leads to the implementation and future
researching areas of three big sectors, medical science, battery technology and military
application areas of Nanotechnology. To critically analyse, there are some risks that are created
because of this emerging technology which are stated and discussed. To conclude, there are some
suggestions of how nanotechnology can be used as improved future for technological industries.

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1. Introduction:
The development of science and technology has moved beyond peoples imagination. Scientists
are now researching materials on their first degree of their atomic level where their properties
and functions are initiated (Nano, 2011). Nanotechnology is one of the fastest growing emerging
technologies of the recent period of science and technology. In the 21st century, nanotechnology
has become progressively important in almost every field such as medical, science, business.
However, putting nanotechnology in use has also some complications. For example, creating
problems in human health.

2. Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter in their atomic stage which is the control and use
of the tiny matters. The tiny matter is stated as nanoparticles which are measured in nanometres
(nm).One billionth of a meter (0.000 000 001m) is measured as a nanometre. Nanotechnology is
the technology that operates with the use and control of the structures that are 1-100 nanometres
in size. Some of these nanoparticles take place naturally, for instance in volcanic ash. Some
nanoparticles occur by natural causes for example, during the combustion of fuels. Although
many are constructed synthetically through design by scientists (BBC, 2014).
Over the course of 20 years in which nanotechnology became a major addition to the stock
markets due to it being incorporated within multiple technologies and industries. Billions have
been invested every year within this time period for the research of this technology to continue.
As nanotechnology is evolving, so is the scope for its commercial expansion. There is a large
vision for growth within nanotechnology and its potential products. It has been predicted that the
industry for global nanotechnology will reach an estimated $75.8 Billion by the year 2020
(RNCOS, 2015). The demand for nanotechnology has increased with trending patterns since
1991 to 2016 with rising percentages of money invested into the research and production of
nanotechnology. According to an article found on IPSEBoston by Martin E. Rock, the short term
growth of this technology is being over estimated by a margin, whereas the long term effects in
the involvement of certain industries and the environment are being underestimated (Rock,
2009). For this reason, each year there is a higher demand in industries such as medical
(pharmaceutical), industrial and military for nanotechnology. This has been further explained and
detailed in the closing statement of the report by Mihail C. Roco on the long view of
Nanotechnology development. As there is a strong global interest in nanotechnology within
various sectors such as governments; businesses and academics, it is estimated $18 billion has
been invested worldwide by national and local governments (Cientifica 2016). Europe, Japan and
the United states have invested the most amount of money. According to Nano report 2006, Asia
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has the highest spending in the corporate field and Europe has the highest expenditure for
government investment (Abbey, 2012).
These huge investments on the research and development on nanotechnology has revolutionised
every sector of technology, such as information technology, energy, medical science, security and
many others. From everyday materials to sophisticated weaponry, people are getting benefits as a
result of Nano science. Nanoscale additives are used in baseball bats, helmets, luggage to make
them lightweight, and durable. Computer and camera displays as well as windows become
hydrophobic because of nanoscale films. Nano-engineered materials used in automotive products
such as battery systems allow for them to be high powered and low on cost. Invented nanoscale
transistors for memory chips are powerful, faster and energy efficient. Nanotechnology can be
used to drug delivery in medicine. It is also possible for Alzheimer's disease to be detected by
gold nanoparticles, even to spur the growth of nerve cells, nanotechnology can be used. The
implementation sectors are so vast that it can be said that nanotechnology is changing the way of
future technologies and people's everyday lives (Nano.gov, 2013).

3. Medical Use:
It is possible to revolutionize the wide area of biotechnology and medical tools along with
procedures with Nanotechnology, this will help these areas to be more personalized, cheaper,
safer, and portable (Nano.gov, 2013). One of the main uses of nanotechnology in medical science
is to cure cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, about 32.5 million people are diagnosed
with cancer worldwide and 1/3 of them will not survive. Also, globally, nearly 169.3 million
years of hale and hearty lives were lost because of cancer (Cancer Research UK, 2013). In
January 2016, Ido Bachelet, who is the professor of Bar-Ilan University of Israel, stated they are
preparing for the first clinical trial of nanoparticles which are efficient enough to fight cancerous
cells (Diniz, 2016). If the trial becomes successful and it makes into the market, then the huge
number of cancer affected people can be cured and aided. Along with the cure of the cancer cells,
nanotechnology is also used in different medical applications. An improved understanding of
brain function, nanotechnology offers better diagnosis and treatment for neurodegenerative
diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease (Kawadkar et al,
2011). Also extensive research is going to cure bacteria caused diseases with the help of
nanotechnology. Nanomedicine, which is a branch of nanotechnology, can be used to cure
diseases, repairing damaged tissues, bones, muscles and nerves. The field of nanomedicine
includes delivery systems for drug and gene therapy, body or organ imaging and labelling with
nanostructured materials, surgical tools, and smart Nano sensors with communication capability,
etc. Among these, DNA Nanowire is the best molecular electronic device produced because it
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can store, process and provide information for growth and maintenance of the living system
(Kamal et al, 2015).

4. Battery Technology:
The study of chemical processes which is the reason of the movement of electrons, is called
electrochemistry. This movement of electrons is called electricity, which is used in batteries. In
the 21st century, batteries are used in almost every technological application. Among batteries,
lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries can store same amount of power. However,
because of the longevity of lithium-ion batteries over the nickel-metal hydride, they are widely
used, but lithium-ion batteries take time to charge and also have some safety issues (Boysen,
2011). Because of these problems, nanotechnology is implemented to overcome the charging
capability. The surface and size of batteries electrodes can be increased by Nanotechnology, and
the rods inside the batteries that take the energy. It does this by efficiently creating the electrodes
sponge-like, so that they can take more energy during charge timeline and thus expanding the
energy storage capacity (Janicek, 2016). Others have wanted to use different technologies and
materials than using Nano batteries, such lithium oxygen could contain 5- 10 times the energy
than a lithium ion battery, but there were some technical problems that made this difficult. The
testing with the nanotechnology implemented batteries was so successful that different industries
and researchers of the University of Michigan and MIT are concentrating on nanotechnology to
improve lithium-ion technology. Prochazka's battery company, which is one of the Czech
nanotechnology companies, are getting international interest because of their experimentations
on batteries with nanotechnology. A Chinese investor will finance a production facility of
HE3DA with a primary investment of about $62 million dollar (Janicek, 2016).

5. Military Use:
The various uses of nanotechnology have given many industries the tools and resources to
improve their technological implementations to their relevant fields. One such field that has been
quick to take up the technology is the military. The majority of investment in nanotechnology is
on military needs, which the majority of countries not completely running entire programs on
nanotechnology, but rather implementing it into current systems. Sweden is one of the countries
in which the military have an entire program set up for the research and development of
nanotechnology.
There are multiple tools that are being researched and developed in which the information on
these has been made available to the public. These are: sensors, batteries, wound care, filtration
systems, smart fabrics, and lighter, stronger, heat-resistant nanocomposite materials etc (Berger,
2015)
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The research being conducted by the military would be used by countries to expand on their tools
and arsenal in creating a more defensive as well as offensive structure for their own use, which
would later expand into civilian use with certain tools. Projects such as lighter body armour and
ultra-hydrophobic materials can then be further looked into and made available for the public to
be used in clothing (Luby and Lubyova, 2013).
The research carried out in the military sector would benefit all industries that look to use
nanotechnology due to the military engaging all forms of tools such as medical, which would
involve activities such as would care. It would also revolve around the improvement of batteries
and other forms of power sources to be used in devices such as telecommunications.

6. Risks:
Nanotechnology is altering the course of understanding the technology and growing very rapidly
in various sectors, but working with the nanotechnology and using it has some risks. Some of
these risks include human health, privacy, and usability. Very tiny manufactured Nano-particles
which exist in the environment result in breathing disorders and other health problems.
Nanotechnology is the knowledge and application of smaller objects such as smaller, cheaper and
faster computers, video/audio camera. It will be easy to compile a huge database full of personal
and financial information (Lewenstein, 2005). Therefore stealing information will be easier and
protect the privacy will be difficult. Nanoscale destructive weapons will be a threat if it falls into
wrong hands. Some nanotech weapons like powerful aerospace weapons, and microscopic
antipersonnel devices, is a special cause of concern and must be carry out with care and
responsibility (Bhattacharyya et al., 2009).

7. Conclusion:
Among the other emerging technologies, Nanotechnology took the science and technology in
another era and advancing at a very fast rate. Every sector of these areas are revolutionising
because of the research and implementation of nanotechnology. From day to day materials to
military equipment, the number of implementation of nanomaterials are increasing. From
government to Nano based industries, funding a huge amount of money for more improvement
and research resulting in it growing every year. Although there are some health, privacy and
security risks that comes with this technology, if it can be controlled and individuals are educated
and understand the technology thoroughly, eventually it will result in the expansion of this
technology further, in order to have a greater impact on society.

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