THE NANO
WORLD
In the pursuit of science and technology, humans are
now dealing more and more with a world not seen by the
naked eye. This is no surprise as the study of science
keeps leading us beyond the world of everyday. The
information we search is for is always available in nature
but we need tools to harvest it. The nano world, like the
other scientific principles, provides both knowledge and
instrument to control nature.
Nanotechnology refers to the science, engineering and
technology conducted at the nanoscale about 1-100
nanometers.
The concept of nanotechnology and nanoscience started
in December 9, 1959 when Physicist Richard Feynman
discussed a method in which scientist can direct and
control individual atoms and molecules.
The term ‘’nanotechnology’’ was coined by Professor
Norio Taniguchi.
why nano?
The term “nano” refers to a unit
meaning on billionth or to raised to
negative nine. For example, nanometer
is one billionth of a meter. Hence “nano”
express a very tiny amount or size.
HOW TO VIEW NANO MATERIALS
1.ELECTRONE MICROSCOPE
German engineers Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll built
the first electron microscope during the 1930s. This type
of microscope utilizes a particle beam of electrons to
light up, a specimen and develop a well-magnified
image.
2. ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE (AFM)
It was first developed by Gerd Binig, Calvin Quate,
and Christoph Gerber in 1986. It makes use of a
mechanical probe that gathers information from the
surface of a material.
HOW TO VIEW NANO MATERIALS
3. SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPE
This special type of microscope enables scientists to
view and manipulate nanoscale particles, atoms, and
small molecules. In 1986, Gerd Binig and Heinrich
Rohrer won the Nobel Prize in Physics because of this
invention.
Nanomanufacturing refers to scaled-up, reliable, and
cost-effective manufacturing of nanoscale materials,
structures, devices, and systems. It also involves
research, improvement, and incorporation of processes
for the construction of materials. Therefore,
nanomanufacturing leads to the development of new
products and improved materials.
TWO FUNDAMENTAL APPROACHES TO
NANOMANUFACTURING
1. Bottom-up fabrication
It manufactures products by building them up
from atomic and molecular-scale components.
2. Top-down fabrication
It trims down large pieces of materials into
nanoscale. This process needs larger amounts of
materials and discards excess raw materials.
DISTINCT FEATURES OF NANO
SCALE
1.Scale at which much biology occurs.
2. Scale at which quantum effects dominate properties
of materials.
3.Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas
than similat masses of larger-scale materials.
Government Funding for Nanotechnology in Different
Countries (Dayrit, 2005)
1.U.S. Nationai Nanotechnology Initiative
The best-known and most-funded program is the National
Nanotechnology Initiative of the United States.
2. European Commission
In February 2008, the EC officially launched the European
Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC).
3. Japan (Nanotechnology Research Institute, under the
National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology, AIST)
4. Taiwan (Taiwan National Science and Technology Program for
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology)
5. India (Nanotechnology Research and Education
Foundation)
6.China (National Center for Nanoscience and
Technology)
7.Israel (Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative)
8. Australia (Australian Office of Nanotechnology)
9. Canada (National Institute for Nanotechnology or NINT)
10. South Korea (Korea National Nanotechnology
Initiative)
11. Thailand (National Nanotechnology Center or
NANOTEC)
12. Malaysia (National [Malaysia] Nanotechnology
Possible Applications of Nanotechnology in
the Philippines (Dayrit, 2005)
1.ICT and semiconductors
2.Health and medicine
3.Energy
4.Food and agriculture
5.Environment
Nanotech Roadmap for the Philippines
(funded by PCAS-TRD-DOST)
1.ICT and semiconductors
2.Health and biomedical
3.Energy
4.Environment
5.Agriculture and food
6.Health and environmental risk
7.Nano-metrology
8.Education and public awareness
Benefits and Concerns of Using Nanotechnology
1.Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may become
pervasive.
2.Nanotechnology seeks to develop new materials with
specific properties.
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.
Social and Ethical Considerations in Conducting
Research on Nanotechnology
1.Who will benefit from it? On the other hand, who won't?
2.For whom and what are your objectives for developing
your product?
3.How will it affect social, economic, and political
relationships?
4.What problem is your "product" trying to solve?
5.Who will have access to it? Who will be excluded?
6.Are there dangers involved with its development (e.g.,
safety, health, pollution)? How can you minimize then?
7.Who will own it? How can you assure access to it?
thank you
