Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology refers to the fields of science and engineering in which phenomena occurring at nanometer scales are used in the design, characterization, manufacture, and application of materials, structures, devices, and systems.
Although there are many examples of nanometer-sized structures in nature, such as essential molecules in the human body and food components, and many technologies have inadvertently involved nanoscale structures for many years, it has only been possible to actively and intentionally modify molecules and structures within this size range in the last quarter-century. Nanotechnology differs from other fields of technology in that it allows for control at the nanometre scale.
Evidently, plenty of types of nanotechnology have the potential to have a profound impact on society. In general, it is expected that the use of nanotechnology will benefit both individuals and organisations. The majority of these applications include new materials that offer drastically distinct attributes by operating at the nanoscale, where new phenomena are linked to the extremely large surface area to volume ratios observed at these dimensions, as well as quantum effects that are not seen at larger sizes.
These involve tiny particles utilized in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and coatings, a two-dimensional nanotubes and nanowires for optical and magnetic systems, and extremely thin films used in catalysis and electronics.
The information and communications sector, which includes electronic and optoelectronic fields, food technology, energy technology, and the healthcare sector, which includes a variety of pharmaceuticals and delivery systems for drugs, diagnostics, and medical technology, in which the concepts of nanomedicine and bionanotechnology are already commonplace. Nanotechnology products may also present unique challenges in the fight against environmental degradation.
The reality is that the human species has evolved mechanisms to safeguard itself against environmental agents, whether dead or alive, is central to these health risk concerns. This process is determined by the properties of the agents frequently came across meaning that size is a crucial consideration. Being exposed to nanoparticles with novel properties may test the normal defense mechanisms linked with immunological and inflammatory systems. It is also likely that nanotechnology goods will have an environmental impact due to the processes of nanoparticle dispersion and persistence.
Wherever the possibility of an entirely new risk is detected, it is required to do a thorough study of the nature of the risk, which may subsequently be employed in risk management processes as needed. It is commonly agreed that the risks related with nanotechnology should be assessed in this manner.
Many international organizations (e.g., Asia Pacific Nanotechnology Forum 2005), governmental bodies within the European Union (European Commission 2004), national institutions (e.g., De Jong et al 2005, Roszek et al 2005, US National Science and Technology Council 2004, IEEE 2004, US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 2004), non-governmental organizations (e.g., UN-NGLS 2005), learned institutions, and societies (e.g., Institute of Nanotechnology 2005, Australian Academy of Sciences 2005, METI 2005, UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering 2004) and individuals (e.g., Oberdörster et al 2005, Donaldson and Stone 2003) have published reports on the current state of nanotechnology, and the majority of them emphasize the importance of conducting a thorough risk analysis.
The European Council has emphasized the importance of paying careful consideration to possible risks throughout the entire lifespan of nanotechnology-based products, and the European Commission has indicated that it intends to work on a global basis to establish a framework of shared principles for the safe, sustainable, responsible, and socially permissible use of nanotechnologies.
Definition and Scope
There are numerous definitions of nanotechnology and its products, which are often created for specific goals.
According to this Opinion, the fundamental scientific principles of nanotechnology have been deemed more significant than the semantics of a definition, hence they are addressed first. The Committee believes that the scope of nanoscience and nanotechnology employed by the UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering in their 2004 report (Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering 2004) effectively reflects these ideas. This shows that the nanoscale ranges from the atomic level (about 0.2 nm) to around 100nm.
Materials in this range may exhibit significantly distinct characteristics than the same substances at larger sizes, both due to the significantly greater surface area to mass ratio and because quantum effects begin to play a role at these dimensions, resulting in substantial variations in multiple kinds of physical property.
The current viewpoint utilizes multiple descriptions of nanotechnology in a way that is compatible with the recently released Publicly Available Specification on the Vocabulary for Nanoparticles of the British Standards Institution (BSI 2005), in which the following definitions for the major general terms are proposed.
Nanoscale means having one or more dimensions of 100 nm or less.
Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and the manipulation of materials at the atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels, where properties differ dramatically from those at higher scales.
Nanotechnology is the design, characterization, manufacture, and use of structures, devices, and systems that regulate shape and size at the nanoscale.
Nanomaterials are materials with one or more exterior dimensions or an interior structure that may display unique properties when compared to the identical material without nanoscale features.
Nanoparticles are particles with one or more dimensions at the nanoscale. (Note: In this paper, nanoparticles are assumed to have two or more dimensions at the nanoscale).
A nanocomposite is a composite in which at least one of the components has a nanoscale dimension.
Nanostructured: having a structure on the nanoscale,
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Citation & Reference:
1. What is nanotechnology? (n.d.). https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/nanotechnologies/l-3/1-introduction.htm#0p0
