Module 10
The Nano World
Objectives:
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. discuss the major potential and realized impacts of nanotechnology on
society;
2. analyze nanotechnology through the conceptual STS lenses; and
3. critique the costs and benefits to society of nanotechnology.
Discussion
In our pursuit of science and technology, humans are presently dealing more and
more with a world that is not seen by our naked eye. This is no surprise as the study of
science keeps leading us beyond the world everyday. Scientific researchers have
developed new technological tools that greatly improve various aspects of our lives. The
utilization of nanoscale is one essential interdisciplinary area generated by innovation in
science and technology. Scientists and engineers were able to build materials with
innovative properties as they control nanomaterials. Indeed, research and application of
knowledge on nanomaterials will continue to bring widespread implications in various
areas of the society, especially health care, food, water, agriculture and the like.
What is Nanotechnology?
The term “nano” refers to a unit meaning one billionth or ten raised to negative
nine (10-9). For instance, a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Hence, “nano”
conveys a very minute amount or size.
Figure 10.1 Nanoscale
[Link]
The illustration above compares objects of different sizes. There are some
objects that can be seen because of their visible size while there are also some that
cannot be viewed because of their microscopic size. These nanostructures can be
found in nature. Just as we are not aware of the air that we breathe or the molecules
constantly feeding our cells at every second, we are also not conscious of these very
little particles. Since the nano world cannot be viewed by the naked eye, it was only
recognized and identified after technology has permitted for the discovery of
nanostructures. And now, the main question is, “What is the purpose of dealing with
such minute entities?”
Nanotechnology refers to the science, engineering and technology conducted as
the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers (NNI, 2017). Nano science and
nanotechnology employs the study and application of exceptionally small things in other
areas of science including engineering, physics, biology, and chemistry. Further,
nanotechnology also refers to the manipulation of matter on an atomic or subatomic
scale. The term “nanotechnology” was coined by Professor Norio Taniguchi ten years
after the dawn of the use of ultraprecision machining (NNI, 2017).
The concepts of nanotechnology and nanoscience began on December 29, 1959when
Richard Feynman, a physicist, presented a method in which scientists can direct and control
individual atoms and molecules in his talk “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” during the
American Physical meeting at the California Institute of Technology.
Viewing Nanomaterials
Scientists make use of special kinds of microscopes to magnify these minute
nanomaterials. Some of these instruments include: the electron microscope which
utilizes a particle beam of electrons to light up a specimen and develop a well-magnified
image. Such microscopes create higher and better resolution than the older light
microscopes due to their magnification capability up to a million times while the
conventional ones can only magnify specimens up to 1,500 times. There are two
general types of electron microscopes which are the scanning electron microscope
(SEM) and the transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Another type of special microscope that is being utilized in nanotechnology is the
atomic force microscope (AFM). This was first developed y Gerd Binig, Calvin Quate,
and Christopher Gerber in 1986. It utilizes a mechanical probe which collects data from
the surface of a material.
Moreover, the scanning tunneling microscope is also used in [Link]
allows the scientists to view and manipulate these nanoscale particles, atoms, and
minute molecules. Its invention made Gerd Binig and Heinrich Rohrer won the Nobel
Peace Prize in Physics in 1986.
How Are Nanomaterials Manufactured?
Nanomanufacturing, as it is called, refers to the scaled-up, reliable, and cost-
effective manufacturing of the nanoscale materials, devices, structures, and systems.
This comprises research, improvement and incorporation of processes for the
construction of materials. Thus, nanomanufacturing paves the way for the creation and
production of new products and enhanced materials. According to National
Nanotechnology Initiative (2017), there are two basic approaches to
nanomanufacturing, namely: bottom-up or top-down.
Bottom-up fabrication refers to the manufacturing of products through building
them up from the atomic-and molecular-scale components. Such method is said to be
time consuming. To date, scientists and engineers are still looking for better ways of
putting up together these minute components to form the bottom-up to organized
structures.
On the other hand, the top-down fabrication refers to the trimming down of big
or large chunks of materials into nanoscale. Such process requires larger amounts of
materials and discards excess raw materials.
As technology advances more, there are new approaches used to assemble
nanomaterials in reference to the application of principles in top-down and bottom-up
fabrication. In the list are the following: dip pen lithography, self-assembly, chemical
vapor deposition, nanoimprint lithography, molecular beam epitaxy, roll-to-roll
processing and atomic layer epitaxy.
With the utilization of the abovementioned techniques, it is said that
nanomaterials are made stronger, more durable, lighter, water-repellant, ultraviolet or
infrared resistant, scratch-resistant, electrically conductive, antireflective, antifog,
antimicrobial, among others. Such descriptions lead to the manufacturing of the present
variety of nanotechnology-enabled goods such as baseball bats and tennis rackets.
In the near future, it is not impossible that super computers will be developed
through nanotechnology. Such computers will have gigantic and faster memory which
will be stored in a minute microchip.
Unique Features of Nanoscale
1. Scale at which much biology occurs
An example of this is the bio-barcode assay, which is not that much expensive
approach for the identification of particular disease markers in the blood despite their
small number in a particular specimen.
2. Scale at which quantum effects dominate properties of materials
An example for this is the nanoscale gold, which is not only the yellow-colored
element we used to see but it can also appear red or purple. Gold’s electrons exhibit
restricted movement in the nanoscale. Practically, nanoscale gold particles selectively
build up in tumors, where they permit both accurate imaging and targeted laser
destruction of the tumor while preventing damage on healthy cells.
3. Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas than similar masses of
larger-scale materials.
As we increase the surface area per mass of a particular material, a greateramount of the material
comes in contact with another material and can affect its reactivity.
Advantages and Concerns of Using Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology offers a variety of applications in different sectors of the
environment and society. An initiative called “Addressing Global Challenges Using
Nanotechnology” was proposed by Salamanca-Buentello et. al (2005). Its objective is to
accelerate the utilization of nanotechnology to address critical sustainable development
challenges. They suggested a model that could aid in figuring out the possible
contributions of the community in overcoming global challenges that pose danger on
health and other aspects of humans’ lives. However, there are still concerns that need
to be addressed prior to the promotion of materials derived from nanotechnology
(Dayrit, 2005).
1. Nanotechnology seeks to develop new materials with specific properties.
2. Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may become pervasive.
3. Nanotechnology may introduce new efficiencies and paradigms which may make
some natural resources and current practices uncompetitive or obsolete.
4. It may be complicated to detect its presence unless one has the specialist tools
of nanotechnology.
Table 1. Advantages and Concerns of the Utilization of Nanotechnologyin Various Areas
Areas That Utilized Possible Advantages Concerns
Nanotechnology
Health Improved medicine Capability to cross
cell membranes
and translocate in
the body
No FDA approval
required for
cosmetics or
supplements
Environment Development of No nano-specific
benign industrial EPA regulation
processes and High reactivity and
materials toxicity
Enhanced Pervasive
detection and distribution in the
removal of environment
contaminants
Economy Better products Redistribution of
New jobs wealth
Potential cost of
cleanups and
healthcare
Accessibility to all
income levels
(Source: University of Washington, n.d.)
Moreover, the University of Washington has posted the Social and Ethical
considerations in the conduct of Researches in Nanotechnology which include:
Who will benefit from it? On the other hand, who won’t?
For whom and what are your objectives for developing your product?
How will it affect the social, economic and political relationships?
What problem is your “product” attempting to resolve?
Who will have access to it? Who will be excluded?
Are there harms involved with its development (like health, pollution,
safety, etc.)
Who will own it? How can you assure access to it?
