Nanotechnology is a field of science applied to the control and manipulation of matter on a smaller scale much less than a millimeter, in fact, a millionth of it, a nanometer; that is, at the level of atoms and molecules (nanomaterials).
For this reason, the most common is that this manipulation occurs at a range between one and one hundred nanometers, nanotechnology; It comprises the study, design, creation, synthesis, manipulation and application of materials, devices and systems through the control of matter at the nanoscale, therefore, scientists use nanotechnology to create novel and inexpensive materials with unique properties.
Some developing countries already allocate significant resources to nanotechnology research, one of its main areas of application: medicine or nanomedicine, is one of those that has contributed the most to the sustainable progress of the world, as will be seen through this article.
There are around forty laboratories in the world that channel large amounts of money for nanotechnology research, some three hundred companies use the prefix «nano» as part of their name to identify themselves, although there are really few products on the market with this technology.
THE ART OF THE INVISIBLE (NANOTECHNOLOGY
"Between the science fiction of the present and the technology of the future"
The invisible world
The astonishment and vertigo that the human being feels towards the greatest and the smallest generates in him a curiosity for what surpasses the limits of the world that he knows through the senses. Thus, a starry night dwarfs us, but at the opposite extreme, thinking about the smallest makes us feel great.
The world of small things seemed to be that it did not exist because it could not be seen with the naked eye, it was until microscopes were built that a fascinating world was discovered, populated by cells, bacteria, viruses, etc. The invisible world is as infinite and fascinating as the universe is and although it is more difficult to see, it is a challenge to approach the greatness of the small. (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, 2009)
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the study and development of systems on a nanometric scale, "nano" is a prefix of the International System of Units that means dwarf and that corresponds to a factor of a factor of 10 -9, which applied to units of length, corresponds to one billionth of a meter; that is, 1 nanometer. (Nanotechnology Blog from Chile)
" Nanotechnology is the study, creation, synthesis, manipulation and application of materials, devices and functional systems through the control of matter on a nano scale, and the exploitation of phenomena and properties of matter on a nano scale". (Euroresidents, 2016)
Unit of measure of various systems
Nanotechnology history
One of the pioneers in the field is the American physicist Richard Freynman, who in 1959 at a congress of the American Physics Society at Calltech, delivered the speech "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." down there) in which he describes a process that would allow to manipulate atoms and molecules individually, through high precision instruments, in this way systems could be designed and built at the nanoscale atom by atom.
In 1981, the American engineer Eric Drexler, inspired by Freynman's speech, published an article in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in which he described in more detail what Freynman described previous years.
The term Nanotechnology was first applied by Drexler in 1986 in his book Engines of Creation: The Next Age of Nanotechnology in which he describes a nanotechnology machine with the ability to self-replicate.
In addition, the Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi, used the term nanotechnology for the first time in 1974, in which he defined it as the processing, separation and manipulation of materials atom by atom. (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, 2009)
Nanotechnology today
Nanotechnology could have far-reaching repercussions for society; it is currently used in sectors such as information and communications; It has even been used in cosmetics, sunscreens, textiles, coatings, some food and energy technologies, as well as some health products and drugs. Furthermore, nanotechnology could help reduce environmental pollution.
Current knowledge about nanoscience, come from advances in the fields of chemistry, physics, life sciences, medicine and engineering. There are various areas in which technology is under development or even in the practical application phase.
In materials science, nanoparticles allow the manufacture of products with new mechanical properties (friction, wear resistance and adhesion).
In biology and medicine, nanomaterials are used to improve drug design. It is also working on the development of nanomaterials for analytical instruments and equipment.
Consumer products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, fibers, textiles, dyes and paints.
In the field of electronic engineering, they are used in the design of data storage devices of smaller size, faster and with less power consumption.
The optical instruments such as microscopes, have also seen benefits of nanotechnology. (Greenfacts, 2007).
Physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles
Nanoparticles have physical and chemical properties that are very different from those of the same materials on a conventional scale, these properties depend on their shape, size, surface characteristics and internal structure.
Applications of nanoparticles in consumer products
Nanoparticles allow the creation of stronger, lighter, cleaner and “smarter” surfaces and systems, currently used in the production of scratch-resistant lenses, anti-cracking paints, anti-graffiti coatings for walls, transparent sunscreens, etc.
They can also serve to increase the safety of automobiles, improving tire grip, chassis rigidity, eliminating glare and fogging on the windows or dashboards.
They even serve to improve the safety of food and its packaging, finally it has applications in medicine and biology, for example they serve to direct drugs to specific organs or cells. (Greenfacts, 2007)
Detrimental effects that technologies could have
The parameters that influence the health effects of nanoparticles are their size (those of smaller size represent a greater danger), chemical composition, characteristics of their shape and surface.
When inhaled, the nanoparticles can deposit in the lungs and travel to other organs such as the brain and liver; It is even possible to reach the fetus if the woman is pregnant, some materials could become toxic and if they are inhaled they could cause lung inflammation and heart problems.
Nanoparticles are so small that only electron microscopes can detect them, and most people are exposed on a daily basis to nanoparticles present in the environment, which come largely from the smoke from diesel engines.
At present, inhalation is the main route of exposure to nanoparticles, with emissions from motor vehicles being the main source of nanoparticles in urban areas.
About the impact on the environment, very little is known, however it is likely that many of the conclusions of studies in humans can be extrapolated to other species, in any case it is necessary to continue research.
Nanotechnology Applications
Nanotechnology, when defined on the basis of the scale (nanoscale) and not towards the study system, is transversal in nature and has applications in all activities of human endeavor, which is why the impact on our society is very large and there is consensus that nanotechnology will give rise to the industrial revolution of the 21st century, as Charles M. Vest's (former president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) said in a speech in 2001. (Nanotechnology Blog from Chile) Next, some of the application areas of nanotechnology are described in more detail:
Environment
Nanotechnology in the environment involves the development of non-polluting materials, energies and processes, wastewater treatment, water desalination, soil decontamination, waste treatment, recycling of substances, nanosensors for the detection of harmful chemicals or gases. toxic.
Medicine
The applications of nanotechnology in medicine is known as Nanomedicine and within it we have the development of nanocarriers for drugs to specific places, which can be useful in the treatment of Cancer or other diseases, biosensors with the ability to detect substances such as glucose or some disease; also nanobots programmed to recognize and destroy tumor cells or repair some tissue such as bone tissue following a fracture, nanoparticles with antiseptic and disinfectant properties.
Energy
Nanotechnology in the energy sector is related to the improvement of energy production and storage systems, especially clean and renewable energies such as solar energy, or based on Hydrogen, as well as technologies that help reduce energy consumption to through the development of new, more efficient thermal insulators based on nanomaterials. Increasing the efficiency of solar panels and solar panels thanks to nanomaterials specialized in the capture and storage of solar energy.
Food industry
In this area, it includes applications of nanosensors and nanochips useful in the assurance of food quality and safety, detection of freshness and shelf life of a food, detection of pathogenic microorganisms., additives, drugs, heavy metals, toxins and other pollutants, development of nano-containers or nano-foods with nutritional and healthy properties.
Textile
Development of fabrics that repel stains and do not get dirty, that are self-cleaning, anti-odor, incorporation of electronic nano chips that give the possibility of color change to fabrics, temperature control, these fabrics are within what is called " smart fabrics ”.
electronics
The application of nanotechnology in electronics includes the development of electronic components that allow to dramatically increase the processing speed in computers, creation of semiconductors, quantum nanowires, circuits based on Graphene or Carbon Nanotubes.
Building
Development of stronger and lighter materials (nanomaterials), with greater resistance, glasses that repel dust, moisture, paints with special properties, self-healing materials, etc.
Communication and computing technologies
It includes the development of data storage systems of greater capacity and smaller size, display devices based on materials with greater flexibility or other properties such as transparency that allow creating flexible and transparent screens, in addition to the development of quantum computing.
Cattle raising
In this area, nanotechnology is related to the development of nanochips for the identification of animals, nanoparticles to administer vaccines or drugs, nanosensors to detect microorganisms and diseases as well as toxic substances.
farming
The application of nanotechnology in agriculture is represented in improvements in pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, soil improvement, nanosensors in the detection of water levels, nitrogen, etc.
Cosmetics
In this sector, nanotechnology involves the development of anti-wrinkle creams or sun creams with nanoparticles.
Benefits of Nanotechnology
(Jaime, 2014) The use of this applied science brings with it certain benefits, among which are:
- Greater scope and effectiveness when working at microscopic levels Long-term results Contribution to environmental care Reduction of future expenses Constant innovation
Such has been the impact of nanotechnology that multiple brands and institutions have found great opportunities in it.
Nanotechnology in Mexico
(Záyago, 2013) As in many countries, Mexico ventures into NT, since 2001 recognizes the NT as a strategic area in its science and technology policies. As of 2009, CONACYT (the highest organ of orientation and financing of science and technology in Mexico) finances a National Network of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, to bring together and facilitate scientific work.
Although it is difficult to determine the amount that the Mexican government has channeled to promote NTs, some authors estimate it at 70 million dollars during the last five years of the first decade of the century.
According to different indicators, Mexico is in second place in the development of NTs in Latin America, after Brazil and followed by Argentina. (Záyago, 2013)
A clear example of this growing investment is Nano Depot, originally called "Nano Soluciones", a company that emerged in 2007 in Cancun, Quintana Roo; Responsible for developing coatings and application services that allow to extend the useful life of surfaces and reduce maintenance costs.
Another company is Nano Tec México, it is a 100% Mexican company, dedicated to the commercialization and distribution of materials with nanotechnology, among its main products are: paint, interiors, engine treatment, titanium nano coating.
Finally, it is worth mentioning Industrias Protect, a 100% Mexican company, which is a supplier, seller and distributor of protective nano coatings, special cleaners and products with German nanotechnology, it was created with the idea of an enthusiastic Mexican entrepreneur and a German one with the objective to support both countries to commercialize special products in a commercial exchange. This company is focused on the commercialization and sale of industrial nano coatings in the field of nanotechnology for the protection of materials, helping to preserve their structural state, avoiding damage caused by humidity, external liquid substances and an aggressive climate.
conclusion
After having investigated such an important topic, it can be concluded that nanotechnology has been used in recent times as a primary element in the creation of new products.
But nanotechnology not only promises to innovate in products for the service of companies, but also enters important sectors for a person's daily life, such as medicine, agriculture, livestock or food, allowing little gradually offer new opportunities for people through the improvement of their quality of life.
Nanotechnology promises to change the way of conceiving things through the not too distant future, since it is the science that has the most future even though it seems to have been taken from a science fiction book, since it shows facts that only a futuristic mind would be able to think, but the reality is that it does exist and has been gaining more and more ground every time.
The question would be, what does the future of nanotechnology hold for us? Since despite its many benefits for society, there are also other approaches for its use and application such as the use in weapons of war, genetic alterations, etc.
It is only hoped that the benefits of nanotechnology will be available to everyone, and that it is not only to continue increasing the differences between society in general.
Nanoscience studies the phenomena and manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, where the properties are very different from those found on the conventional scale.
A pathogen is any external biological agent that is housed in a certain biological entity, damaging its anatomy in some way, from visible or not visible diseases or damage.
Nanotechnologies
National Council for Science and Technology
Millions of dollars
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