Nanotechnology UPSC

Nanotechnology

The study of Extremely Small Structures  physical size in the range of 1-100 nanometres (nm) or anything made by specifically placing materials atom by atom or molecule by molecule. A multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary area of application, deals with agriculture, energy, electronics, medicines, healthcare, textile etc.

Application of Nanotechnology

It has wide variety of potential applications in everyday life, ranging from consumer goods to medicine to improving the environment.

1. Health care

Disease Diagnosis: Nano scale diagnosis devices are more efficient to detect even diseases Bacteria & Viral Infections like Cancer & AIDS.

Drug Delivery: Implanted nano technology devices like pacemakers could dispense drugs or hormones as and when required in chronic diseases. It will help in lowering overall drug consumption and side effects.

Cancer Treatment:  Gold Nano cells Nanotechnology can locate & eliminate cancer cell using by attaching antibodies to Nano cell surface. Recently, a new technology has been found by turning  nanoparticles of calcium phosphate into fully biodegradable radio frequency (RF) agents that can be imaged in MRI and CT scans.

Nano Robotics can act as miniature surgeons, navigate the human body and repair or replace damaged cells. It can be used in cancer treatment and detection instead of Radiation Therapy and Chem Therapy, which often end up destroying more healthy cells than cancerous one.

2. Food Security

Antimicrobial Nano Emulsions used for decontamination of food equipment, packaging of food etc.

Bio-Indicators to detect the bio magnification of pesticides and fertilizers.

Anti-bacterial Silver Nano-Particles used for increasing the shelf life of agricultural products.

3. Environment

Combating Climate Change by developing nano material which can effectively help to reduce the CO2 in the air and trigger bioremediation to get rid of toxic waste.

Solid Waste Management: The conversion of organic waste into bio gas and fertilizers can also be quickened through the use of Nano particles like Iron oxide particles .

Controlling Pollution: Metal oxide nano catalysts are being developed for the prevention of pollution due to industrial emissions.

4. Energy Security

Photovoltaic Cells Organic Light And Emitting Devices based on quantum dots.

Nano catalysts for hydrogen generation.

Novel Hydrogen Storage Systems based on carbon nanotubes and other lightweight nano materials.

5. Other

A. Construction : 

Nano molecular structures to make asphalt and concrete more robust to water seepage.

B. Textiles : 

Nano Fibers making clothes water and stain repellent or wrinkle-free.

C. Defence : 

Nano sensors / cameras / recording devices, precision guiding tools etc.

D. Water treatment : 

Nano Membranes for water purification, desalination and detoxification. Nano Sensors for the detection of contaminants and pathogens.

E. Nanotechnology in Agriculture

India's efforts in Nanotechnology

According to ASSOCHAM India ranks 3rd in R&D in the field of nanotechnology after China and USA. India is expected to contribute about 25% professionals out of required two million professionals in Global Nanotechnology Industry.

1. The 9th Five-Year Plan (1998-2002) had for the first time promoted research in nano materials. In 2007 “Nano Mission: A Mission on Nano Science and Technology” was launched to foster, promote and develop nanotechnology which has the potential to benefit the country.

2. Nano Mission : It is an umbrella programme for capacity building and to tap some of its applied potential for nation’s development. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the nodal agency for implementing the Nano Mission. DST had also launched a modest programme in Nano Science and Technology called the Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) and the Nano Mission is the successor of this programme.

3. IIT Madras has used nanotechnology for arsenic decontamination of water. 

4. IIT Delhi developed water based self-cleaning technology for use in textile industry and a new drug delivery platform to improve chances of recovery from cancer-related bacterial infections.

Concerns related to Nanotechnology :- 

Potential Risks to Human Health: 

Nanoparticles being slowly degradable may accumulate inside the body and get adsorbed on to the surface of Tissues & fluids which may affect regulatory mechanism enzymes & other proteins.

Environmental Issues:

Untraceable Destructive Weapons of mass destruction, Increase in Global Warming in the long run, Nano Pollution created by toxic wastes from nano material manufacturing.

Unethical : 

Nanotechnology can worsen the division of rich & poor by creating Nano divide (as rich can afford Nano tech medication & poor being left out) and affect the international relations through Nano Arms Race.