Nanotechnology is a word that could be said to be recent, it has not been used for many years, at the beginning of the word it has the prefix nano, which represents a factor of 1 * 10 ^ -9 M = 1 Nanometer in the International System of Units.
Nanotechnology is the science that studies and treats matter on a nanometric scale, which corresponds to an estimated dimension of 1 to 100 Nanometers, so what it seeks is to manipulate atoms and molecules, which usually the atom has a dimension of less than 1 nanometer, meanwhile the molecule is larger.
So scientists seek the creation of micro-scale products that serve the benefit of many areas within humanity, such as human health, military uses, and science in general, among endless possibilities.
Nanotechnology has many benefits and challenges that it has to face, which is what this article will seek to address, a very deep topic that should not be taken lightly and although it seems somewhat complex because it addresses issues of quantum mechanicstry to be as enjoyable as possible for the reader. It is very difficult to try to describe all the topics in which we can find nanotechnology, because together with everything that surrounds us it is growing every day, a constant evolution that will not stop.
Key concepts
Here are some concepts that are considered key to a better understanding of the article.
Elder brother.
"Prefixal element of Greek origin that enters into the formation of names, generally measured, with the meaning of one billionth of a unit." (Oxford, 2018)
Technology.
"Set of instruments, technical resources or procedures used in a specific field or sector." (Oxford, 2018)
Nanotechnology.
"It is the manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, the particular technological goal of precisely manipulating atoms and molecules for the manufacture of products at the microscale." (Wikipedia, 2018)
Evolution of Nanotechnology
The history of Nanotechnology is not very old, since the first indications of it began to be seen during the decade of the 30's, only that in recent years it has evolved in an impressive way and the number of important events related to it has increased, but according to Acedo (2016) the main events in the history of nanotechnology are the following:
1936
Erwin Müller created the field mission microscope, whose invention achieved that there were images that were around the atomic resolution of materials.
John von Neumann makes important contributions to the field of quantum physics.
1956
Arthur Robert von Hippel physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), coined the term Molecular Engineering.
1958
Jack Kilby, sketches and builds the first integrated circuit, for which he would receive a Nobel Prize in 2000.
1959
Richard Feynmann, ahead of his time, talks about what scientific research will be like in the future, quoting his words verbatim “In my view, the principles of Physics do not pronounce against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom ».
1974
The Japanese Norio Taniguchi, an excellent scientist from the University of Tokyo, uses the term nanotechnology for the first time, to refer to the processes of production of thin-film deposits and devastated by ionic beam in semiconductors, with a dimensional control in the order nanometers.
1986
Drexler autonomously uses the term nanotechnology for his book Engines of Creation, in which he proposed the representation of a nanoscale “assembler” that would be competent to build a copy of himself.
1992
Drexler, through Nanosystems, gives his vision on what molecular machinery and chemo-mechanical processes will be like, based on nanotechnology to build increasingly smaller elements.
1998
It is possible to change a carbon nanotube into a nano pencil that can be used for writing.
2003
Naomi Halas, Jennifer West, Rebeca Drezek, and Renata Pasqualin of Rice University create gold nano capsules, which when dimensioned to absorb near-infrared light, serve as a platform for integrated discovery, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. breast cancer without invasive biopsies, surgery, or destructive systemic radiation or chemotherapy.
2007
Angela Belcher, along with her colleagues from Massachusetts Tech, create a lithium-ion battery, with a class of virus that is not harmful to man, with a process at an affordable price and friendly to the environment. 2008
Nanorex is created, a program to help control the handling of nano-sized structures.
2010
IBM uses a silicon peak that is only a few nanometers long at its apex to chisel material out of a substrate and create a full 3D nanoscale projection of planet Earth.
2013
Scientists at Stanford University develop the first carbon nanotube device.
2015
Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology create microscopic robots (nanobots) capable of administering drugs, being guided through magnetic fields.
Nanotechnology Risks.
As everything that man creates, in the wrong hands is a danger for many people, nanotechnology is not exempt from this category, then some risks that according to Villarroel (2010) entails the use of nanotechnology will be mentioned.
Economic instability due to the spread of cheap goods
Today, raw materials have already begun to be substituted, which is the source of livelihood for many families from various parts of the world such as Asia, Africa, Latin America, among others, such as cotton or rubber, this deprives at least 106 million men of receiving profits, this derived from the production of cheaper products and with this could unbalance the economy of developing countries that depend from the sale of those raw materials.
Criminal use
As always, there are people who only see opportunities to cause fear among the population, with the creation of biological weapons, an example is that of genetic maps, of indigenous peoples, with this it will be possible to have accurate information on these and other ethnic groups, This way, ethnic bombs can be developed, promoting bioterrorism.
Nanoweapons are also having a boom, due to their vastly lower cost compared to nuclear weapons currently in use.
If this technology fell into the wrong hands, it could be translated as wars, bioterrorism, among a myriad of problems that can be caused to humanity.
Damage to health
Practically, anytime we are watching television, on our social networks or simply browsing the internet, we can come across an ad that promotes new products that use nanotechnology, some examples would be: sun blockers, creams to avoid skin imperfections, cleaning products that require practically no water, among other products. But, most of these products do not warn of possible short-term or long-term health damage from using them.
Currently, practically no first world country believes that there is any real evidence to have to regulate the creation and use of nanotechnology.
Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles, whose size is 1 to 100 Nm, they have a totally different behavior from larger portions of the same product from which they come: they can be more dynamic, toxic, among other peculiarities. So they are very useful, but it also makes us think to what extent their use can be counterproductive.
The concern that comes from the use of this type of product is that the nanoparticles they have have redox properties(mostly). An example of this are titanium dioxide nanoparticles, which have several sun blockers that are sold on the market and are photocalitic, their exposure to the sun causes free radicals, which could decrease the components of the product or damage biomolecules. A study from the University of Oxford showed that the use of products with titanium dioxide can damage DNA 5, causing various damages to the human body, from inflammation to causing cancer.
Likewise, studies show that some nanoparticles have the peculiarity of crossing the cell membrane to adhere to the mitochondria, this can help doctors to release drugs where they are needed, but if by some mistake they were released into the open air in their active form and falling with healthy people, attacking them at the cellular level and this can be highly carcinogenic.
Carbon Nanofibers
Carbon nanofibers, which are used in vehicle rims and in the fabric of clothing that we wear to be able to change their color, without using ink. There is a possibility that it can be spread in places where it could be absorbed and cause serious damage to the lungs.
Environmental problems
The damages that are caused to human health could be classified as similar to those that the environment receives, there are two problems that stand out: the biological and chemical effects that will prevail in man due to the great exposure to nanoparticles, And as you are, they will escape to the environment, which will become a latent danger for organisms and habitats.
Once the nanoparticles are no longer used, they will be discarded and most likely end up in rivers or oceans, coming together in portions that are harmful to marine biodiversity, that is why they are classified as highly toxic for these species, and damage the entire global food chain.
A substance classified for its high toxicity to marine life is nanosilver, otherwise for humans, which is considered a safe element. Nanosilver mainly affects phytoplankton, which is the main base of the food chain of several aquatic species, marine invertebrates and fish that are in their formative stage.
Regularization
Unfortunately, the entities that are in charge of regulating this type of practice are slow to realize how nanotechnology reaches homes, environments and the environment. The main problem is whether the information available on the safety of products that use nanotechnology is correct or if more information is required in order to give a final verdict.
All these questions reflect the urgency of the regulation of nanomaterials, the European Commission, in a statement stated that "it must be polished" while reducing the "scarcity" of knowledge about the risks that the use of these nanomaterials can bring.
But there is still nothing written, the regularization of nanotechnology is still very scarce, since it is tied to the benefits that they can bring to the huge corporations that are those that have nanomaterials, having as a shield the investigations for the good of The humanity.
Nanotechnology benefits
Nanotechnology has also brought great benefits for humanity, it has come to stay and improve our quality of life, with information from Aguayo (2014) these benefits are the following:
- Year after year the problem of water scarcity becomes more noticeable, more and more people are unable to access the vital liquid. Production systems and the agricultural sector are the ones that consume the most water, what nanotechnology seeks is that by creating products by molecular manufacturing, the consumption of liquid is reduced, as well as implementing systems that reduce the water used in the Agriculture Infection diseases are a problem in most countries, especially those that are developing. The creation of simple products such as tubes, filters or mosquito nets at affordable prices would be a solution to solve this problem. Continuing in the field of medicine,Nanotechnology aims to create equipment at affordable and modern prices for medical and health exploration, in order to make advanced medicine more widely available and reach more people.There are many developing countries, than in most of Their homes still do not have a computer or any device that gives them access to the internet, what nanotechnology seeks is to create good quality equipment at very affordable prices, so that most people can have access to these. parts of the world do not have electricity, it is through the use of renewable energies (solar, wind, among others) and the creation of sophisticated devices, they manage to store it and be able to distribute it in homes where it is needed most, benefiting both socially to the population,As it was mentioned earlier in the article, the environmental problems generated by nanotechnology are varied, but seeing the other side of the coin, they are also doing things in favor of it. The use and implementation of new products will make the population live with a reduced environmental impact, such as bags that disintegrate in a much shorter time, compared to normal plastic ones or the use of clean energy for different activities, among other situations in favor Reduction of the work that farmers have to do to be able to harvest their crops, increasing their income, derived from the use of machinery and products that, backed by nanotechnology, guarantee a good product.The increase in production is linked to the greater use of the cultivated land and not because a larger portion of the land is planted Longer storage time in the harvested fruits and vegetables Crops that are resistant to the great droughts that afflict certain surrounding regions of the world or combat soils with particular characteristics, for example, soils that have a large amount of salinity Glasses with a lens that is practically impossible to scratch and with much greater resistance.Technologies that allow televisions or screens with an impressive resolution, curved screens, more light and with a myriad of features that used to be hard to imagine could exist and be enjoyed.Longer shelf life of harvested fruits and vegetables Crops that are resistant to major droughts that afflict certain regions around the world or combat soils with particular characteristics, for example soils that have a high amount of salinity Glasses with a lens practically impossible to scratch and much more resistant.Technologies that allow televisions or screens with an impressive resolution, curved screens, lighter and with a myriad of characteristics that before it was difficult to imagine that they could exist and that they could be enjoyed.Longer shelf life of harvested fruits and vegetables Crops that are resistant to major droughts that afflict certain regions around the world or combat soils with particular characteristics, for example soils that have a high amount of salinity Glasses with a lens practically impossible to scratch and much more resistant.Technologies that allow televisions or screens with an impressive resolution, curved screens, lighter and with a myriad of characteristics that before it was difficult to imagine that they could exist and that they could be enjoyed.soils that have a high amount of salinity Glasses with a virtually scratch resistant lens and much higher resistance Technologies that allow televisions or screens with impressive resolution, curved screens, lighter and with a myriad of features that were previously difficult to imagine that could exist and that could be enjoyed.soils that have a high amount of salinity Glasses with a virtually scratch resistant lens and much higher resistance Technologies that allow televisions or screens with impressive resolution, curved screens, lighter and with a myriad of features that were previously difficult to imagine that could exist and that could be enjoyed.
There are endless benefits that thanks to nanotechnology we can enjoy today, but as all this changes from one day to the next, probably in a couple of years the above mentioned will seem obsolete and we are talking about products that we have not yet imagined.
Nanotechnology in Mexico
Among the Latin American countries that have more initiatives, school projects, research, number of publications on the subject, necessary infrastructure, agreements with other countries and human capital that is working on issues related to nanotechnology, Mexico is in second position, only behind Brazil.
Of the 56 institutions indicated by Guerrero (2016), one of them is the Advanced Materials Research Center (CIMAV), which has one of the most advanced and sophisticated laboratories in Latin America, the National Nanotechnology Laboratory, which seeks to promote nanotechnology, supporting different sectors of the nation, such as the student, industrial and the same society.
Nanotech (as the National Nanotechnology Laboratory is known) is located in the state of Chihuahua, geographically in the north of the country, created in 2006 and opened its doors two years later with the aim of becoming one of the flagship projects of the nation, promoting nanotechnology in favor of society and the country.
During 2009, it was appointed as the National Point of Contact in "Nanotechnology and New Materials" for all actions that had correlation between Mexico and other countries in the world. In order to strengthen its international ties, join the group “Innovation in Nanotechnology in North America” through an agreement between Arizona State University, the Center for Research in Advanced Materials (CIMAV) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT); in addition to formalizing agreements with the University of Texas, located in Austin (USA), with the State University of New York, located in Albany (USA) and with the Seventh Research Framework Program of the European Union.
The laboratory and all the scientists who are part of it are the most important part of the "Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Network", one of the main research networks of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT).
Thesis proposal.
Implementation of workshops at the Technological Institute of Orizaba on the benefits and risks of nanotechnology in humans.
Objective.
Raise awareness in the student population and in the general public about the benefits and risks of nanotechnology, since we have heard about it regularly, but we do not know how we interact with it.
Thanks.
I thank my family, for giving me all the support and the drive to continue day by day, to the Technological Institute of Orizaba for opening its doors to me and allowing me to continue my studies with the Master in Administrative Engineering and Doctor Fernando Aguirre y Hernández for motivating me with their Knowledge in the Administrative Engineering Foundations seminar to carry out each of the assigned articles.
Conclusion.
It is impressive how in recent years nanotechnology has become a crucial part for the generation of wealth, work and generally increasing the quality of life of people.
Some scientists refer to it as part of the "Third Industrial Revolution", the expectations that are had are enormous, in the not too distant future it will be the key to how societies will live.
Although, as mentioned, many regulations are still lacking around this, since there are many risks that in the long run, can be harmful to society. We cannot stand by idly by the latent possibility of the creation of devastating weapons or bioterrorism, we must be aware of all this and take action on the matter.
In conclusion, nanotechnology will be the key to the future in all areas, it will help us to improve our way of life, making it easier for us to carry out different activities and why not, extend life time, but there must be an entity capable of regulate the institutions and countries that make use of nanotechnology to prevent all this from being counterproductive to us.
Bibliography.
Acedo, S. (June 17, 2016). Prezi. Obtained from
prezi.com/tl2_rv0u6t2j/linea-de-tiempo-avances-en-la-nanotecnologia/
Aguayo, L. (2014). Informatica Workshop. Retrieved from
Guerrero, AL (May 23, 2016). CONACYT. Obtained from
Oxford (2018). Oxford Living Dictionaries. Retrieved from
Oxford (2018). Oxford Living Dictionaries. Obtained from
Villarroel, FM (2010). RISKS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY. Information, Technology and Society Magazine, 1-5.
Wikipedia. (2018). Wikipedia The free encyclopedia. Obtained from
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Meters.
It is a discipline of physics in charge of providing a fundamental description of nature at small spatial scales. (Wikipedia, 2018)
Nanometers.
Any chemical reaction in which one or more electrons are transferred between the reactants, causing a change in their oxidation states. (Wikipedia, 2018) 5 Deoxyribonucleic acid.
