Nanotechnology Applications
The Understanding Nanotechnology Website is dedicated to providing clear and concise explanations of nanotechnology applications. Scan the listings below to find an application of interest, or use the navigation bar to the left to go directly to the page discussing an application of interest.
Nanotechnology Applications in:
Medicine
Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body. When it's perfected, this method should greatly reduce the damage treatment such as chemotherapy does to a patient's healthy cells. Check out our Nanotech in Medicine page to see how nanotech is being used in medicine.
Electronics
Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption. Check out our Nanotech in Electronics page to see how nanotech is being used in electronics.
Food
Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers. Check out our Nanotech & Food page for the details.
Solar Cells
Companies have developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at significantly lower cost than conventional solar cells. Check out our Nanotechnology in Solar Cells page for the details.
Batteries
Companies are currently developing batteries using nanomaterials. One such battery will be a good as new after sitting on the shelf for decades. Another battery can be recharged significantly faster than conventional batteries. Check our our Nanotech in Batteries page for details.
Space
Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space.
Fuels
Nanotechnology can address the shortage of fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline by making the production of fuels from low grade raw materials economical, increasing the mileage of engines, and making the production of fuels from normal raw materials more efficient. Check our Nanotech in Fuels page for details.
Better Air Quality
Nanotechnology can improve the performance of catalysts used to transform vapors escaping from cars or industrial plants into harmless gasses. That's because catalysts made from nanoparticles have a greater surface area to interact with the reacting chemicals than catalysts made from larger particles. The larger surface area allows more chemicals to interact with the catalyst simultaneously, which makes the catalyst more effective. Check our Nanotechnology and Air page for details.
Cleaner Water
Nanotechnology is being used to develop solutions to three very different problems in water quality. One challenge is the removal of industrial wastes, such as a cleaning solvent called TCE, from groundwater. Nanoparticles can be used to convert the contaminating chemical through a chemical reaction to make it harmless. Studies have shown that this method can be used successfully to reach contaminates dispersed in underground ponds and at much lower cost than methods which require pumping the water out of the ground for treatment. Check out our Nanotechnology and Water Quality page for details.
Chemical Sensors
Nanotechnology can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors. Because of the small size of nanotubes, nanowires, or nanoparticles, a few gas molecules are sufficient to change the electrical properties of the sensing elements. This allows the detection of a very low concentration of chemical vapors. Check out our Chemical Sensors and Nanotechnology page for details.
Sporting Goods
If you're a tennis or golf fan, you'll be glad to hear that even sporting goods has wandered into the nano realm. Current nanotechnology applications in the sports arena include increasing the strength of tennis racquets, filling any imperfections in club shaft materials and reducing the rate at which air leaks from tennis balls. Check out our Sporting Goods and Nanotechnology page for details.
Fabric
Making composite fabric with nano-sized particles or fibers allows improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness as might have been the case with previously-used techniques. For details see ourNanotechnology in Fabrics page.
Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
applications: revolution in India and
beyond
What, When & How of Nanotechnology
Nano science refers to the science & discipline and nano technology
refers the applied
part of it including the engineering to control, manipulate and structure
the matter at an
unimaginably small scale: nano scale. This scale is also referred to as
‘atomic’ or
‘molecular’ scale which is 100 nanometers or smaller. This capability also
simultaneously gives us the ability to build materials and devices or shapes
and products
on that scale. Because of the brevity in operation, smarter and lighter
products can be
made from the molecules of the same matter with every atom in its specified
place
through ‘positioned assembly’ or ‘self assembly’. The matter displays
unimaginably
different qualities when manipulated and structured at nano scale. It
produces different
products when assembled at that scale. This is what is the future unleashed
by the nano
technology revolution.
The mankind has seen several technology revolutions in the past: industrial,
agricultural,
medical, and infotech in a course of two centuries. But through each of
these, we have
been able to exploit only a small fraction of the total possibilities. We
have been still
dealing with the matter at a bigger scale. The building blocks, our
engineering skills and
products were bigger than the nano size and hence had limitations in
manipulation. It is
this arrangement of atoms which defines the properties of matter. With its
capacity to
manipulate the smallest possible component of the matter, the nano
technology has the
potential to bring that cycle of technological revolution to completion:
dealing with the
matter atom by atom, molecule by molecule. It is this capacity of mankind to
deal with
matter at molecular level that will give the mankind a historical new
ability to shape,
process and create things which have never been thought of.
Nanotechnology in India: A Case Study of the Potential
India, with its more than one billion people, a wide landscape and a diverse
socio-economic
base, has tremendous possibilities for any technological intervention
including
nanotechnology. India has been slow to adopt the technologies and even
slower to
experiment them. This has happened primarily because the risk taking ability
of individuals,
organizations and the Governments has been low. Moreover, because of lack of
communication to the rest of the world, the level of confidence in the
innovations has been
low.
However, in the last decade, India has gained not only confidence to try out
new
technologies but also to experiment and innovate. This is primarily because
the
entrepreneurial base has increased. A number of new companies come to the
market
everyday. The number of millionaires in India, its richest people and its
companies are quite
at the top in the global list of the rich. This is also happening because
the people’s
purchasing power has increased. India is the fourth largest economy in the
world in terms of
purchasing power parity. Another reason for this is that the Indian consumer
has started
asking for the best that is available on the earth. This makes India a huge
market for quality
goods. The spirit of innovation is also getting strengthened because of the
fact that India is a
young country; with almost half of its population in the younger age group.
This age group
is inclined to make forays in the unknown but exciting fields. The new
companies being
formed look for exciting emerging technologies.
India is ready for Nanotechnology
Thus, for the first time in its history, India is ready not only to adopt
what is working
elsewhere, but also to innovate, experiment, adopt and adapt what is
entirely new. This
includes what has not been tried at all but makes an economic, social or
environmental
sense. Nanotechnology is a phenomenon in that range. It is new, it is
evolving, it is
challenging. This is what India is now ready for. Thus, nanotechnology and
its applications
have a bright future in India. Nanotechnology in India is expected to
unleash the full force
of India’s creativity and its craving to satisfy all its basic needs, to
catch up with the world,
rather to surpass the world.
Nanotechnology in India: a Huge Potential
• India’s 60% population depends on agriculture, but income levels are low
because
productivity is low and is marred by low inputs, pests, diseases and losses
• India is has massive food requirement and has variety of crops, fruits,
flowers and
vegetables but food sector is handicapped due to inefficiencies in
production,
processing, storage and packaging
• India gets excellent solar radiation, every roof top can become a power
house, but
solar energy is not generated because right and affordable technology is not
in place
• India gets excellent rains but still drinking and irrigation water is not
available in
many parts because water storage and purification techniques are not perfect
• Average Indians do not lead a long and healthy life partly because the
drugs and
medicines used in treatment cause even greater damage than the disease
itself.
• India’s Industrial and infrastructure sectors are growing very fast, but
the materials
used in both are not as durable and precise as they could be
• India is urbanizing fast but still faster is the level of pollution
because of urban waste,
untreated water etc.
• Most of the processing and packaging in industry and agriculture leaves
behind a trail
of environmental hazards, which if not tackled at this juncture, will lead
and add to
long term ecological problems including global warming
Nanotechnology in India can bring in a revolution
Nanotechnology applications will benefit India in all the above and many
more such areas.
It will bring revolution in the socio-economic life and make India take a
qualitative leap at
least in three following major ways.
Nanotechnology in India: to satisfy its basic needs
• With better productivity in various sectors
• By reducing the losses due to pests & diseases
• By reducing wastages & by enhancing capacity
Nanotechnology in India: to enable it to catch up with the world
• By reducing the inefficiency in processing, storage and packaging
• By ensuring better life to people, materials and the amenities
• By reducing environmental damages
Nanotechnology in India: to enable it to surpass the world
• By enabling all its hands to work, all its fields to produce
• By enabling all its roofs to produce electricity
• By enabling all its products to benchmark with the best in the world
This is why the entrepreneurs, the policy makers, the companies and the
people are keen to
learn and leverage nanotechnology in India. Nanotechnology and
nanotechnology
applications , thus, have a great future in India.
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A nano glimpse of India in 2030 with nanotechnology applications in full
sway
• Agriculture productivity is increased through better investigation of
pests & diseases,
targeted treatment trough precision farming, better forecasting of weather,
minimizing the waste and maximizing the life cycle of agro products through
nano
technology;
• The processed foods stay fresh for months together: thanks to nanotech-
enabled
packaging and processing-impermeable coating, packaging etc. to cite a few
initiatives.
• Rooftop solar generation enabled by nano solar cells; for each building
just like you
produce your vegetables in kitchen garden: common man’s dream realized
through
cheaper, durable solar cells.
• Imagine the savings on transmission lines and power stations and
substations! Lighter
wind and hydro energy turbines ensuring much higher revolution per minute
thus
producing more energy even with lesser water and wind availability. .
• Water proof nano sand reducing wastage of water in irrigation by 75%! just
lay down
beneath typical desert topsoil;
• The nano super sand stops water below the roots level of the plants and
maintains a
water table, giving greenery a constant water supply:
• Potable water for all: water purification with high precision nano tech
membranes, on
a higher scale at a much lower cost.
• A nano submarine floats through the blood of human body treating the right
cells
instead of contaminating the whole body with antibiotic toxics and
generating a host
of side effects.
• A much lighter aircraft or a car made of nano materials which are lighter
and
cheaper, yet sturdier. And the bonus of fuel efficiency!
• A computer nano chip as powerful as all the computers of the today’s world
put
together. That too in a form of hand held device. And you know how powerful
the
computer chips already are.
SAiNSCE’s Commitment for Nanotechnology Development
We are driven by the above belief that the nano-technology has immense
potential across
various sectors in bringing welfare to the society. This technology is going
to drastically
change production processes, communication systems and a host of other
patterns of
generation and consumption. It is, in fact, going to substantially change
human life itself.
This obviously gives lot of commercial potential to the technology. And
seeing this
happen is our passion; seeing this expand is our mission.
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The result: better life for us, better life for our children. All this is
going to happen. And it
should happen. We also believe that there is immense business potential in
what is going
to happen- with or without many of us participating in the process of making
it happen.
This is why SAiNSCE feels that nano-science is not just a new science or an
emerging
technology; it’s a way of life in the 21st century. Seeing the nano
technology
commercialize fast is our strategy and business.
The founders of SAiNSCE are committed to work in the areas which deliver
value for:
• The common man’s wellbeing
• Pervasive creation of wealth
• Conservation of environment
In order to be more focused and conclusive, we have carefully selected the
following
areas of work which, over a period of time, have become our core strength.
These have
been briefly given below:
Nanotechnology in Agriculture & Food
Producing & Preserving Food through Nano technology
How SAiNSCE looks at it
Food security has always been the biggest concern of the mankind. Nations,
communities
and Governments have been struggling with the issue since long.
Particularly, it’s a prime
agenda for the developing world including India.
Recent decades have seen even bigger challenges on this front. The future
looks even
bleaker with food shortage issue looming large. The challenge is how to feed
the growing
population by producing more on a stagnant or shrinking landscape; with
lesser input costs
and with lesser hazards to the eco-system. Another adjunct to this problem
is how to add to
the income of agricultural producers so as to sustain their motivation to
grow crops. This
also leads to the question as to how to add value to what is being produced.
Value for the
producer as well as the consumer! And how to make the transaction in agro
products
smooth, safe and reliable.
Thus, all across the world, an urgent need is being felt for more scientific
and targeted
management of the agriculture and food sector. Nano technology has answers
to many of
these challenges. Applications of Nanotechnology have the potential to
change the entire
agriculture sector and food industry chain from production to conservation,
processing,
packaging, transportation, and even waste treatment. Strategic applications
of Nano science
can do wonders in the agriculture scenario. Nano science concepts and Nano
technology
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applications have the potential to redesign the production cycle,
restructure the processing
and conservation processes and redefine the food habits of the people.
Nanotechnology in Agriculture: A Case Study of India
For India, nanotechnology applications in agriculture and food sector make
all the more
relevance and importance since the Indian economy is predominantly
agriculture and given
the large population to feed, the food security concern is all the more
serious. The Indian
agricultural scenario is also characterized by diversity of soils &
agro-climatic conditions
and thus diversity in crops and fluctuation in productivity. This offers as
much potential as
challenges in the sector. Nanotechnology applications in basic agriculture,
value addition,
preservation of crops and food can therefore bring a sea change in the
agriculture scenario
of India. Thus, applications of nano technology in agriculture can prove to
be a big boon.
What Nano technology offers for Agriculture
Major Challenges What do the applications of nano technology offer
Food security for growing
numbers
Use of Nano technology in agriculture and food industry can
revolutionize the sector with new tools for disease detection,
targeted treatment, enhancing the ability of plants to absorb
nutrients, fight diseases and withstand environmental
pressures and effective systems for processing, storage and
packaging.
Low productivity in
cultivable areas
Precision farming- Nano tech application here makes
farming more targeted and scientific. Precision farming
makes use of computers, global satellite positioning
systems, and remote sensing devices to measure various
parameters. Accurate information through applications of
nano technology for real time monitoring of soil conditions,
environmental changes and diseases and plant health issues.
Large uncultivable areas Bringing more areas under cultivation by nano tech
enabled
environmental monitoring and management including cost
effective water management through applications of nano
science. Use of nanotechnology in agriculture can thus
change the land use pattern substantially.
Shrinkage of cultivable lands The remedy is to enhance productivity through
nano tech
driven precision farming and to maximize the output and
minimize inputs through better monitoring and targeted
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action.
Wastage of inputs Nano tech enabled sensors and smart delivery systems will
help the agricultural industry combat viruses and other crop
pathogens.
In the near future, nano structured catalysts will be
available which will increase the efficiency of pesticides
and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used.
Wastage of products Precision farming through use of nanotech applications
can
also help to reduce agricultural waste and thus keep
environmental pollution to a minimum.
Perishability/ low shelf life Use of nano technology in sensing applications
will
ensure food safety and security, as well as technology
applications which alert the customers and shopkeepers
when a food is nearing the end of its shelf-life.
Nanotech based new antimicrobial coatings and dirt
repellent plastic bags are a remarkable improvement in
ensuring the safety and security of packaged food.
Technology limitations Various devices designed through application of
nanotechnology which include biosensor for the
detection of pesticides, herbicides, insecticide, viruses,
microbe will bridge this gap to a great extent.
Smart packaging developed by applying nano science
concepts & technology would be able to repair small
holes/tears, respond to environmental conditions (e.g.
temperature and moisture changes), and alert the
customer if the food is contaminated. Food companies
will have to be very vigilant in logistics.
Skill limitations Nanotechnology applications have the potential to produce
easy-to-handle devices which reduce the dependence on
human skills on many fronts, thus reducing the human risk.
Fresh and processed food companies will have a new
dimension to quality and production.
Processing limitations Nano technology will change the existing system of
food
processing and will enhance the nutritional quality of
food and will ensure the safety of food products.
Other strategic applications of nanotechnology for use in
agriculture and food processing industry include the
addition of nano particles to existing foods to enable
increased absorption of nutrients.
This is possible through selected additives and
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improvements to the way the body digests and absorbs
food.
Nanotechnology is already making an impact on the
development of functional or interactive foods, which
respond to the body’s requirements and can deliver
nutrients more efficiently.
Research is on to develop new nano tech driven “on
demand” foods, which will remain dormant in the body
and deliver nutrients to cells when needed. This is
possible by applications of nano science. The food
companies are keen to adapt new technology in a big way
Packaging limitations
Silver nano-particles can be embedded in polymeric
materials such as PVC, PE, PET while polymerization
occurs.
Silver Nan particles kill pathogens, bacteria, viruses and
fungus and are used as a good and safe packaging pot.
Such nanotech based packaging materials are 100 times
more secure than the normal one for the storage of juices,
milk and other agri-products. Nanotech products in
packaging food products thus offer immense potential.
Food packaging films in the name of “hybrid system”
films have enormous number of silicate nano particles.
They massively reduce the entrance of oxygen and other
gases, and the exit of moisture, thus preventing food from
spoiling or drying.
Nanotechnology can provide solutions for modifying the
permeation behavior of foils, increasing barrier properties
(mechanical, thermal, chemical, and microbial),
improving mechanical and heat-resistance properties.
Other nano tech devices may include developing active
antimicrobial and antifungal surfaces and sensing as well
as signaling microbiological and biochemical changes.
Diseases & calamities The union of biotechnology and nanotechnology in
sensors
will create equipment of increased sensitivity, allowing an
earlier response to environmental changes and diseases.
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Impact on Environment Nanotechnology will also help protect the environment
indirectly through the use of alternative (renewable)
energy supplies, and filters or catalysts to reduce
pollution and clean-up existing pollutants.
Nano tech Research also aims to make plants use water,
pesticides and fertilizers more efficiently.
This Nano tech application will help to reduce pollution
and to make agriculture more environmentally friendly.
Thus, the use of nanotechnology in agriculture will lead
to a real breakthrough in this sector
More than the smart devices for producing, processing and packaging, the
convergence
of nano technology, information technology and bio technology has really
given us a
new whole world of agriculture. Through cell engineering, cells can be made
to form
and multiply faster. This will mean that crops which take months to get
ready can be
available in week’s time; that too on much less costs. This is the extent of
possibility
through introduction of Nano science & nano technology in Agriculture.
The potential
for producing better at reduced cost by use of technology makes it very
important for a
country like India.
Nanotechnology in Water Management
Safe and sufficient water through Nano science Applications
How SAiNSCE perceives the potential
It is a paradoxical situation that one-third of the globe constitutes of
water and still the
world struggles with this basic necessity of life –water. Supply of clean
water, safe
water, potable water and that too adequately and on a regular basis, are the
main issues
faced by the people. Even in the 21st century, thousands of people walk for
miles to
quench their thirst, not even sure of what they are drinking. The plight of
dumb animals
devoid of water is still worse. Water borne diseases take lives of millions.
Poor people
in the developing world spend up to 25 per cent of their real income to have
access to
clean water. And the worst part is that the situation is predicted to get
further grim with
the resources depleting and the population pressure increasing. The increasing
ecological imbalance on one hand and increased use by the urban elite
further
aggravate the problem.
Solutions are being found out by use of science and technology for water
harnessing,
management and conservation. Purification, filtration, desalination,
recycling,
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recharging of wells and tube wells are some of the means. Rain water
harvesting, runoff
conservation and economic use through micro irrigation and many other
measures
are presently employed to find solutions for this basic need. But the crux
lies in finding
faster and efficient solutions.
Application of Nanotechnology to these conventional solutions in the first
stage and for
finding new solutions subsequently is a ray of hope in this area. Nano
technology not only
assures better quality but also with lesser energy consumption and hence at
a much lower
cost
Water management through Nano tech Applications: Potential in India
Nanoscience applications in water management assume a special importance for
a vast
developing region like India. Given the diverse geographical conditions,
different
regions face a range of water problems varying in terms of magnitude.
Problems of
safe and potable water prevail alike other developing regions of the world,
more so in
the arid and semi arid regions. The prevalence of waterborne diseases is
also quite high.
Improving the quantum of supply of water as well as its quality, at an
affordable cost,
is what a common Indian would expect the most from the researchers and
experts
engaged in exploring strategic applications of nano science. This one area
can change
the socio economic scenario substantially.
Major Challenges Solutions offered by the Nano technology
Providing clean and safe
water devoid of virus,
bacteria and other
elements which the
conventional methods
can’t tackle
Filtration via nano membranes would ensure much more
precision and purity.
Filtration through nano electropositive media can ensure
improved filtration of pathogenic microbes, particularly
those which are resistant to conventional depth filters.
Nano technology enabled filters also ensure filtration of
those viruses and bacteria which are too small to be filtered
by conventional filters.
Providing clean and safe
water at a lower cost
Affordable desalination is the panacea to the water problem.
The high cost of conventional desalination is mainly owing
to the energy cost. By strategic use of ultra thin membranes,
thanks to Nanotechnology, high pressure pumps, energy
recovery systems, pretreatment systems, back flushing and
other maintenance costs would be minimized substantially;
some even eliminated. This would make desalination
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affordable even for the developing nations.
Increasing the usability
of unusable water
through desalination,
recycling
Nano filtration membrane technology is widely used to
remove dissolved salts from salty water, remove micro
pollutants, soften water and treating waste water.
Nano filters can remove up to 99 per cent of ammonia from
contaminated waterways and sewage outflows. This allows
the water to be recycled while the ammonia removed can be
re-used as fertilizer.
Conserving water Conserving water is as important as increasing the supply
of
usable water. Nanotech has immense potential in this area
since this precision technology has strategic solutions to
control waste of water flowing through canals through better
linings and coatings, better drip and sprinkler systems, more
efficient coatings to stop seepage in household and industrial
water systems and less requirement of back flush in filtration
systems.
Preserving the essential
nutrients in water like
calcium etc
Nanotech based filters can precisely select the substances
and hence retention of essential ones will be possible
Measuring and
monitoring
contaminants at the
trace level
Nano filters can analytically and effectively measure and
monitor contaminants like arsenic, mercury and others even
at the trace level, unlike the conventional ones which can
measure only the concentrated high level contaminants.
New possibilities Nano science enables various strategic applications as
under:
Purification applications, ranging from high purity
semiconductor and medical uses through home drinking
water.
Remediation of both waste water and polluted ground water.
Desalination applications, including both sea water and
brackish water
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Nano technology & Environment
Make the Environment Sustainable through Nano technology
SAiNSCE’s concerns for Environment
The subject of ‘Global Warming’ itself is generating a lot of heat now a
days. Having
struggled with the issue of ozone layer depletion in the last decades, the
world is now facing
the challenge of global warming and resultant climate change. It is said
‘environment is not
what we inherit from our ancestors, we borrow it from our future
generations.’ We have
already started facing the consequences of reckless use of natural resources
leading to
ecological imbalance. Thus, to hand over to our future generations the same
level of
environmental quality which we are presently enjoying is becoming difficult
day be day.
This makes the issue of environmental sustainability more important than it
ever was.
The brighter spot is that quite a lot of awareness is being created on
environmental issues
the world over. The world has realized that it is the high time that we
resort to discriminate
the use of natural resources and try for lower contamination. People and
organizations are
addressing pressing energy and environmental needs by deploying renewable
energy
sources, switching to energy efficient and less polluting ways of
production, finding
alternatives ensuring lesser need of raw materials for the same quantum of
production, etc.
Nanotechnology applications can reduce the environmental problems
substantially with
their targeted and indirect interventions. nano technology has the potential
to change the
way the things are produced and processed and to further reduce their
hazardous side and
after effects.
Nanotechnology in India: Case Study of Environmental Issues
India is still on the first middle side of the Kuznet's curve. At this
position, both the income
inequalities and the environmental problems are acute. By the time India
becomes a
developed economy; both these problems, particularly the environmental, are
expected to
settle. Kuznet's curve underlines that the more developed an economy is, the
cleaner it
becomes. Regarding the things needed badly in the Indian economy to achieve
that level of
development, energy finds a prime place. Nano technology has the potential
to facilitate
energy production in a much cleaner and renewable way. Quite a few emerging
renewable
energy developments are coming with the integration of the science and
technology of
energy generation and that of the nano science and nanotechnology. From
solar cell and
fuel cell fabrication to energy management, transmission, conservation and
savings the
applications of nanoscience offer a range of opportunities. Clean energy is
becoming a
mainstream business.
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Challenges How nanotechnology helps
Cleaner conventional energy • Production of electricity from coal or
natural gas can be made more efficient
by strategic use nanotechnology in
turbine plants.
• In nuclear energy, nanotechnology can
help improve the radiation resistance of
the materials.
Dependable supply of renewable
energy at affordable cost. The two
big complaints against solar and
wind power are high cost and
intermittent supply as large scale
storage not possible
• Use of nanotechnology in chemical
reactions could provide hydrogen for
tomorrow's fuel-cell powered vehicles.
• Cells with nano-crystalline coatings of
metal oxides enable production of
hydrogen gas directly from sunlight.
• Nano structured turbines ensure efficient
production of wind energy at lower cost
• Nano based solar cell and panels
contribute a lot for efficient generation
and transmission of solar power.
• The batteries currently available are not
suitable for large scale storage. Strategic
applications of nanoscience will help in
creating large banks of batteries to make
storage on large scale possible
• Nanotech would also enable creating
new kind of nano tubes based capacitors
which make batteries usable for
indefinite period
Safe and large scale storage of
hydrogen energy. Conventional
technology stores hydrogen in
high pressure tanks which is
highly unsafe.
• Nanotechnology offers safe and
practicable solutions like absorption onto
high surface area solids and use of
carbon nano tubes and nano structured
graphite fibers for combining with metal
hydride compounds
Fuel cell usage has been limited
due to material performance and
high cost since it needs platinum
• Nanoscale material can replace platinum
completely or partially with increased
efficiency for specific applications.
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which is scarcely available • Carbon nanotubes could enable a
substantial improvement in the
performance of fuel cells, together with a
heavy cost reduction of catalyst material.
Developing efficient transmission
devices
Nano engineering could lead to smart devices
like smart windows, energy efficient LEDs and
wireless controls and also highly efficient
conductors and superconductors that could
eventually replace current transmission
facilities.
Strategic use of nanostructures would make any
device energy efficient
Developing energy efficient
distribution networks
Nano-enabled capacitors will create entirely
new networks for local electricity storage
which could ensure much lower rates of energy
wastage and improved performance.
Addressing the issues of soil,
water and air pollution through
strategic applications of
nanoscience
• pollution monitoring using nano sensors
• lower energy needs due to lightweight
strong materials
• Products with molecular-level precision
through the use of productive nano
systems, could result in virtually no
chemical waste.
• Nano-enabled products like nanowire
based paper can cleanup oil and other
organic pollutants
• Nano-sized particles of iron are useful
for cleaning up contaminants in
groundwater, soil and sediments
New possibilities through nano
technology
• Personal power-jackets that could use
heat from the human body to recharge
cell-phones and other electronic devices.
• Microbial fuel cells where an organism
performs electron transfer mechanism
are being developed through use of
nanotechnology
• High powered batteries that can be used
in electric vehicles are being developed
by strategic applications of nanoscience
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Nano technology in Solar Energy
Energy on one’s roof top through Nanotechnology
SAiNSCE is keen to make it happen
Energy needs have been growing exorbitantly across the globe and across the
sectors. The
energy needs of the 21st century are going to be definitely higher than
ever. But at the same
time, they have to be met with qualitatively different sources and
processes. The reason is
that majority of the present sources of energy are neither clean nor
renewable and are
depleting progressively. Many of those processes cause heavy damage to the
environment.
On both accounts, the entire process is not sustainable. There have been efforts
to get
energy through cleaner and renewable sources (hydro and wind); but they too
have
locational and mechanical limitations. Moreover the entire demand-supply
chain in the
energy sector is quite capital intensive, monopolistic and hence cumbersome.
Nano technology has shown the possibility of fulfilling everyone’s dream of
getting cheap
and clean energy through its strategic applications. Its intersection with
energy is going to
change the way energy was hitherto being generated, stored, transmitted,
distributed and
managed. nanotechnology is particularly going to revolutionize the solar
energy sector. The
beauty of solar energy is that it can be produced by every house hold on his
rooftop or
farm. We consume only a fraction of the energy delivered by the Sun.
Theoretically, it is
possible to convert the rest into usable and transportable energy. If we add
into that the
potential of energy generated by Sun’s invisible rays (infrared), the
potential is really
immense. Moreover this energy will be cleaner and sustainable than any of
the other energy
streams. Because of that possibility, in today’s time, not only energy but
clean energy is
becoming a huge business in itself. Many of the developments in clean energy
revolve
around strategic applications of nano science. Nanotechnology offers more
possibilities in
solar energy sector than they have been experimented today. The entire
technology is in the
process of evolution. But one thing is sure: it offers immense potential to
harness solar
energy.
Nanotechnology in the energy sector: A case study of India
India is an emerging economy. With its faster growth process, its energy
requirements are
high and increasing day by day. It has to meet its massive energy
requirements by all
possible sources, preferably the cleaner and renewable ones. It also has to
improve its
technological and managerial skills to reduce the T & D losses.
Practically speaking, energy
saved is equal to energy produced, perhaps a more prudent course of action.
Thus, India is a
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market where there is huge potential for energy producing and saving
technologies and
equipments. With its faster growth process, India needs more and more of the
sophistication
in its economy, particularly in the energy sector. At the same time,
environmental
awareness is increasing day by day. People are desperately in search of such
technologies
that give the required guarantee of energy availability. This too they want
without either
polluting the environment or without making them entirely dependent on the
power
producing companies. Solar energy is the answer….Nano technology is the
answer for
getting solar energy made cheaper, cleaner as well as decentralized. The
applications of
nanoscience can make India the hub of non renewable energy, particularly the
solar energy.
Major issues What Nano technology can offer
Conventional Energy is
too expensive
Nano tech devices have given us the possibility of
producing cheap power and enough for every one.
Conventional Energy is
too centralized
Nano solar cells embedded in flexible plastics will
be able to adjust to the shape and terrain of the
rooftops and/or could be put into the building
materials like tiles and siding. Thus, it will be
possible to produce energy at every roof top
Conventional Energy is
polluting
Nano energy is clean; cleaner than anything else
possible.
Solar energy again is too
costly
Nano technology has added to the possibility of
producing solar energy which is cheaper than that
from the conventional sources
How will it be stored Nano technology enabled super capacitators will
help in local storage of energy
How to reduce wastage of
energy: transmission
losses
Nano superconductors will replace current
transmission facilities and they will have better
performance on this front
The photovoltaic cells
that make up most present
day solar panels are:
• made up of
crystalline silicon,
which requires
clean
manufacturing free
of dust and airborne
microbes.
• Silicon is in short
supply and
expensive
With nanotechnology, tiny solar cells can be printed
onto flexible, very thin light-retaining materials,
bypassing the cost of silicon production. thin rolls
of highly efficient light-collecting plastics spread
across rooftops or built into building materials
Nano cells made up of materials, several thousand
times smaller than hair, will have more light
capturing capabilities. Each nano solar cell will be
an energy collector and spread with the plastic
sheets will cover large surface areas than
photovoltaic cells.
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• high manufacturing
costs lead to high
wattage prices.
Nano enabled plastic solar cells can turn the sun's
power into electrical energy, and they are many
times more efficient than present solar cells
Flexible sheets of tiny solar cells made by using
nano science applications may be used to harness
the sun's energy and will ultimately provide a
cheaper, more efficient source of energy
By integrating applications of nanoscience "solar
farms" may be created which consist of the plastic
material with solar cells which can be rolled across
deserts to generate energy
What are further
possibilities
Nanotubes: because of their structure, exhibit
electrical and optical properties, which help in the
absorption of solar energy and its conversion to
electrical energy
Nano particles like quantum dots with a polymer to
make the plastic can detect energy in the infrared
solar rays. This will strategically capture more solar
energy.
Nanoscience also enables production of solar cell
glass that will not only generate energy, but also act
as windows in future houses and commercial
buildings. While it captures solar energy to power
the building it also reduces overheating of the house
thereby reducing the need for cooling.
Dye-sensitized Nano solar cells using photo
sensitive dye which do not require costly and largescale
production equipment.
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Nano technology in Medicine & Health Care
Effective & Precise Medical Services with Nanotechnology
SAiNSCE a part of the drive for long and healthy life
Health is an integral part of one’s wellbeing. Availability, efficiency and
cost effectiveness
of health care measures has been a prime concern in all countries. In the
recent decades, the
average life span has gone up, but new challenges to human health have
emerged. They are
in the form of diseases, in the form of nutritional problems. Some have
environmental roots
and yet others are the causes of modern lifestyle. These problems are
putting stress on the
society in both ways: on the one hand to see that people live long, and on
the other, to
ensure the wellbeing of those who are living long. Deteriorating mental
health is yet another
pressure on the modern world.
At the same time, medical science has made tremendous progress in the recent
decades.
Precision and efficacy in treatments have improved. However, there is still
a huge potential
for improvement on this front. Most important is to make the medical
treatment accessible
to all and inexpensive. Another challenge is better and early diagnosis and
treatment with
minimal side effects. nano science and nano technology have brought fresh
hopes on this
account.
Convergences of nanotechnology with biotechnology will not only produce high
tech
products at low cost but will also prolong life via preventing illness and
improved health.
One of those examples is nano tech enabled ‘cell repair machines’. These
molecular
machines make the potential for life extension visible. These nano devices
will be able to
repair cells so long as the basic structure of the cells is intact. Also,
they will be able to
replace cells which have been destroyed. Either way, they will restore
health. By restoring
all the ‘un-welcome’ cells and tissues of the body to a younger form, these
nano tech repair
machines will restore younger health.
However, even before we really rely on the capacity of nano technology about
its promises
regarding longevity and anti-aging, the innovations brought by it in faster
development of
drugs, rapid diagnostics and targeted drug delivery are remarkable. The
instruments and
equipments being produced with the help of nano technology are remarkably
precise and
work in an unpredictably targeted manner. They are, at the same time,
inexpensive. Current
applications of nano technology in medicine include nano-particles to
deliver drugs and
other stuff to explicit cells in the human organ. There are more efficient
diagnostic devices
like the nano size TEMs that are very useful for high-specification
filtration in many
laboratory applications including those for blood testing and analysis. They
are useful in
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several applications in which normal materials generally fail. They also
make the validation
and regulatory control processes much easier.
Nano technology in Health care: A case study of India
India, with one sixth population of the world, offers a huge market and an
even bigger
challenge for health care experts. Particularly, the place of SAiNSCE’s
headquarters is the
Indian hub of pharmaceutical industry. Almost 40% of the pharma products
produced in
India are produced from this single State of India-Gujarat. Also, over the
years, this place
has emerged as the centre for medical treatment not only in India but also
for patients from
the European and other foreign countries. State of the art hospitals with
world class
infrastructure facilities including diagnostic, testing and treatment
abilities have come up.
Major challenges Solutions offered by nano technology
• A Surgery causes
wounds which take
long time to heal
• Cancer therapy is
damaging to many
other important parts
• The trial and error
method of drugs have
side effects.
• Organ transplantation
may result into
crippling the entire
immune system.
• Many health
problems cannot be
cured at all
The present practice to deliver a chemical in the body
is to dump it into either the bloodstream or the
stomach, and let it spread all through the body.
For some chemicals like insulin, it is acceptable. But
for others, such as chemotherapy drugs and some
antibiotics, it is best to keep them as local as
possible.
Strategic nano techniques can help the humanity: can
put drug delivery devices right where they are
needed.
Nano medicines and nano tech machines have
created the possibility of diagnosing, treating and
preventing disease with the use of smart drugs and
equipments that target specific organs or cells.
Reducing the side effects or
damages to non target cells
nano technology has the potential of engineering
particles to be used for detecting and treating the
diseases or injuries within the targeted cells, thereby
minimizing the damage to healthy cells in the body.
Avoiding unnecessary
damage to other cells while
treating a particular cell
nano medicine holds good promise in this regard.
This involves the use of manufactured nano-robots to
make repairs at the level of specific cells.
Avoiding infection during
surgery or in wounds
nano crystalline silver is already being used as a
antimicrobial agent in the treatment of wounds.
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Targeted diagnostics,
treatment and drug delivery
Very useful devices using nano technology and other
nano products are under development which include:
• Qdots: which can identify the exact location of
cells (e.g. cancer) in a body.
• Nanoparticles: that deliver drugs directly to
cells to minimize damage to healthy cells.
• Nanoshells: for focusing the heat from infrared
light to destroy cancer cells with minimal
damage to surrounding healthy cells.
• Nanotubes: They are used to repair broken
bones; to provide a structure for new bone
material to grow.
• Cell repair machines: They will almost be of
the size of bacteria and viruses. They will be
able to travel through and enter the tissues like
white blood cells and viruses. They will also
be able to open and close the cell membranes
with the care and precision of a surgeon.
• Similarly, selective destruction of diseased cell
will also be possible by applications of nano
science: identify them and destroy.
Easy and cheap diagnostics • Portable diagnostic nanokits are being
developed like the ones available for sugar and
pregnancy test, no need to go to a lab or wait
for hours for the report
Future applications in nano
medicine
• In eliminating bacterial infections in a patient:
it can be done within minutes through
nanotechnology enabled medicines, instead of
treating with antibiotics over a period of few
weeks.
• To perform surgery at the cellular level: this
will help removing individual diseased cells
and even repairing defective portions of
individual cells.
• With drugs and surgery, the physicians
presently cause the tissues to repair
themselves. Whereas nano enabled molecular
machines will affect more direct repairs, thus
bringing a total revolution in medical science.
• Substantial increase in the human lifespan: by
strategically repairing cellular level conditions
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that cause the body to age by use of
nanotechnology.
• The programmed nanomachines will treat even
unknown diseases. They identify any foreign
element and destroy it to ensure good state of
health.
The principles of biology indicate that it is possible to build molecular
machines: which will
be construction of atoms designed to perform intricate functions at the
atomic scale.
However, the progression of technology is a phased process. As in case of
other
technological revolutions, the principles of nano technology and the
potentials and
consequences of molecular machines is clear by now. What is left is to
prepare and fill the
details. Researchers and scientists are keen to bridge that gap. They will
do so sooner than
anticipated.
SAiNSCE is committed to take this process of advancement in medical science
ahead,
particularly through the nanotechnology. We are constantly exploring and
co-ordinating
with various nano tech research organizations, pharmaceutical and medical
equipments
companies for commercialization of some of the nano tech investigation and
drugs delivery
devices.
We are already marketing some of the niche nano tech products in the medical
sector. We
are the sole distributor for India in the following products.
TEMs
From the company:
it4ip s.a.
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Nanotechnology in Textiles
Easy to make, Smart to trade, smarter to wear
SAiNSCE looks forward to functional fashion
It was a change of time and mindset which brought covers on the human body.
But it was
an innovation of technology which brought textiles in the human life. Textiles
today affect
so many parts of human lives- right from direct uses like clothing to house
furnishings,
vehicle and office set up, bandages and dressings to several other areas
where they have an
indirect use. The functional as well as aesthetic values of textiles are
both equally
important for the consumer and hence offer tremendous potential for
improvement and
innovations. The growing global fashion trends pose real challenges for the
players in the
sector for finding something new continuously. The amount of money spent by
an average
household on textiles and apparels being substantial, having a cutting edge
in this area
makes a great business sense for each player involved.
Unlike other areas, the challenges of textile sector are more related to the
increase of
comfort, newer dimensions and value addition rather than addressing the
basic needs. The
preference for natural fibers over the artificial ones is increasing.
Clothing made of natural
fibers are more prone to problems like color fading, wrinkling challenge,
difficulty in
removal of stains. Moreover, life becoming faster than ever, these issues
are no longer non
– issues. Nanotechnology has answers for each of these problematic issues.
More interesting is the fact that advent of nanotech has opened up a whole
new vista of
value-addition possibilities in the textile sector. A lot of imaginations
are now turning into
doable activities bordering the reality with the help of nanotech- cloth
that would repair the
holes itself, clothing that do not require washing, that won’t catch fire,
that would protect
the wearer from bacteria and ultraviolet rays and many more. The present
research in nano
science and the endeavors through applications of nano technology and the
emerging trends
give a strong hope that in future Nano tech applications are leading us to
clothes that
become part of our life like a TV set or a refrigerator. For example we will
have clothes that
would use the body heat for electronic operations; textiles that will have
the revolutionary
ability to sense, act, store, emit, and move! And all this as permanent
accessories to our
body and personality.
Nanotechnology in Textiles: A Case Study of India
India is a major exporter of cotton textiles and also man made fibers. Nano
technology
applications for smart textiles are therefore very pertinent for the Indian
market. Gujarat, the
region where SAiNSCE is based, is also a major exporter of denim as well as
manufacturer
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of synthetic clothing. The traditional handloom cloth also have a niche
market among the
Indian diaspora as well as foreigners. This core strength blended with
various
nanotechnology enabled features offers immense market potential. SAiNSCE has
identified niche markets and specialty products for which it is doing the
complete value
chain networking.
Nanotechnology making wonderful wear
• Materials that take away sweat and make the clothing free of body odour
has been
developed using nanotech
• Adding metal nano particles enables anti odour functioning in the cloth
• The conventional stain free coatings make the cloth stiff and fuzzy and
are washed
away over a period of time. Nanotech applications enable making such
material that
develop chemical bond with the fibers and the cloth remains smooth as other
cloth;
the liquid falling on cloth just rolls off leaving the cloth stain free.
• Adding metal and semiconductor nano particles give the cloth glittering
long lasting
colors and wrinkle resistance besides high end features like protection
against UV
rays and anti microbial function.
• Nanofibres render strength and durability which delays the wear and tear
substantially
• "Smart" Nano materials that could do some of the things living
things do, such as
heal breaks and wounds, or change color or shape for protection in response
to what's
going on around them.
• Right now you can buy jackets with disc players and controls sewn in but
they are
quite bulky and messy. Nanotech would give a new dimension to this segment
of
wearable electronics with production of a new generation of garments with
distributed sensors and electronic function. They will go far beyond just
very small
electronic devices or wearable, flexible computers.
• Not only will these nano tech devices be embedded in textile substrates
but a nano
electronics device or system could ultimately become the fabric itself.
• Nanotech application would lead to textiles with bio monitoring commands
that will
heat or cool its wearer and change color as per the surroundings
• Nanotech based smart clothes would remotely monitor home-bound patients
capturing vital data and then beaming it wirelessly to a doctor, a hospital,
a family
member or wherever it needs to go.
• And the best part is that the above e-textiles and smart nano textile
would allow
leveraging an existing low-cost textile manufacturing infrastructure.
• Textiles made by attaching nano layers to natural fibers can control what
passes
through the layer. These layers can be customized for different chemicals
such that
hazardous gases and chemicals can be blocked while still allowing air and
moisture to
pass through.
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• Novel nanoscale fibers can be placed inside a garment or paper document to
serve as
a “fingerprint” that proves the product is genuine. The fibers can
essentially serve as
molecular bar codes
• Garments treated with metallic nanoparticles prevent colds and flu
• Electro-statically charged nanoparticles and nano silver protects the
wearer from
smog and air pollution.
Nanotechnology and Nano Materials
Nano materials bringing the next industrial revolution
SAiNSCE is a part of the changing world
The first industrial revolution revolved around discovery of new means of
production &
transportation. It also led to new patterns of transaction and consumption.
At that time,
many things looked like fiction but became a reality sooner than
anticipated.
In the same way, the difference between the present day science fiction and
a future
reality is getting thinner day by day. Things and processes which were
hitherto in the
fiction stage are becoming a reality. Nano science and Nano technology are
the key
drivers of this change. The matter is losing its traditional definition of a
substance in the
solid, liquid or gaseous stage. At the size of nano meter: one billionth of
a meter, the
materials are in a new dimension of the matter. Some call it ‘surface’ state
and in this
state they display surprisingly different mechanical, electrical, chemical
and other
properties. Their interface with other substances through strategic
technological
interventions can create amazingly new products: lighter yet sturdier,
thinner yet stronger.
What is commonly known as Nano-material includes ceramic nano-particles for
catalysts,
coatings as well as structural composites, and metal nano-particles for
catalysts and
sensors; nano-porous materials for optics, insulation and electronics; and
carbon nanotubes
for a number of applications.
Many of these nano materials are already in market. Yet other nano materials
are in the
process of development. They have the capacity to strategically influence,
among others,
the industry of construction materials, the ceramic industry in turn
influencing various
industries including the defense, the automobile and aerospace. In addition,
the whole
electronics industry is set to see a new shape because the electronic and
non-electronic
components both are going to be different in the nano technology world.
Materials developed through applications of Nanoscience in general will be
more efficient
and effective not only in terms of conductivity, strength or weight but will
also be cleaner
and will be useful in mitigating the hazards of wastes. That is why,
perhaps, some
economists have already changed the definition of the primary sector of the
economy.
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Instead of agriculture and allied activities, they say it is ‘extraction of
raw materials’.
Earlier the definition said that an economy has to pass from the agriculture
to a secondary
economy. Now, it is said that for transition to a developed economy firstly
the economy
has to exploit its strategic competitive advantages in the primary sector
(exploitation of the
natural advantages & products) which will in turn propel its transition
to a manufacturing
(secondary) and services (tertiary) sector led economy. Thus extraction and
development
of the nano particles from the natural wealth of a country is going to be
strategically
crucial in its development process. Applications of nanosciene leading to a
gamut of nano
materials, therefore, assume all the more importance
Nanotechnology & Materials Market: The case study of India
Indian market, like many others in the developing world, is characterized by
high
consumption, high waste and resultant problems, and low technology. The
requirements of
development do necessitate consumption in the domestic and industrial
sectors, but for want
of right technologies and products, there is all pervasive inefficiency in
the production and
treatment cycle. Applications of Nano technology can find answers to many of
these
problems.
Major Challenges Solutions offered by the nano technology
Normally material extraction
and management is a polluting
exercise
Nano materials being smaller in size, their extraction
could be a non polluting exercise.
They are heavier and bulky
even if the weight is not a
requirement of the product
We can make nano materials as precise and compact as
required through strategic applications of Nano science.
There is a lot of waste and
hence waste management is a
big issue
Waste management will be easier not only because the
materials will be nano, but also because the technology
itself will bring out materials that solve the problem.
There is lot of transmission loss
in transmission of electricity
One reason for this is that the materials used for
transmission, for example, copper are not good
conductors. Nano tech Carbon fibers will have very good
conductivity/semi-conductivity.
There is loss of fuel
consumption in several
applications like auto and
aerospace
With carbon nano materials, the weight of these devices
will be much lesser and hence fuel consumption will be
reduced.
Stain and corrosion in most
materials
Nano materials offer the best in that regard.
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Major possibilities through nanotechnology applications
Nano technology in Electronics:
Lap top computer screen: thickness and weight of a piece of paper.
Computer chips which can store the information equivalent to all present
computers of
the world.
Nano technology in Automobile, electrical & aerospace:
Carbon materials like fullerenes, metal oxides and nano tubes and fibers
display very
high mechanical, and electro-thermal conduction abilities.
At the same time weight is far less, strength is far greater.
Nano tech applications in production of carbon fiber, and the machine parts
with wearresistant,
erosion- resistant, and corrosion-resistant.
Important Nano tech materials and their applications:
Metal oxides such as Alumina, Zirconia, Ceria, Zinc oxide- Car catalysts,
antibacterial
functions, structural ceramics, Sunscreens, fuel cells, transparent UV
absorbers.
Carbon- Thermal and Electrical conductors.
Alumino silicate (imogolite)- Ceramics filter, Catalyst support, and
humidity controlling
building materials.
Calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite)-Implants such as eyes, knees, and hips.
Nano Materials in Construction
Beyond Bricks and Mortar through nanotechnology applications
SAiNSCE uses nanotech to build the future
Construction industry is as old as the civilized living of the mankind. It
has undergone
tremendous change in the past two centuries. What affected it most was the
industrial
revolution and its resultant outcome in terms of steel, cement and other
building materials.
The twentieth century saw further refinement in the same with even more
sophisticated
techniques and devices. Now, it has to move in the next phase where inputs
are less and
lighter, they are smooth and sturdier; they are cost effective, cleaner and
sustainable. It has
to move towards more sophistication with the help of emerging technologies
like the nano
technology
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Nano science & Nano technology is going to drastically change the
construction industry in
the years to come. Nanotechnology has a range of possibilities in making the
construction
industry come up to the expectations of the current times. Nanotechnology
offers longer life
to the building materials and at the same time, at lower maintenance cost
and efforts. In fact,
with nano materials in use, maintenance will be a non- issue for a very long
time. In most
cases, the use of nanotech enabled materials will make it possible for the
users to maintain
the buildings. What is needed is the commitment of the research and
scientific community
for developing appropriate nanotech applications and nanomaterials for
construction
industry. A closer partnership among the nano tech industry &
construction engineering on
the one hand and among the builders and consumers on the other.
Use of nano materials can improve fluidity, strength and durability of the
concrete. Nano
materials also have the potential to be used to improve the reinforcement
qualities like anticorrosion.
Nano enabled coating of construction materials is going to constitute the
largest
application of nano technology in construction. Nano products like
architectural paints,
water sealers and deck treatments; treatments applied during fabrication,
such as scratchresistant
coatings on vinyl or wood flooring, insulation coatings etc offer immense
market
opportunities for nano-materials. Nanotech products and applications, among
other benefits,
may enhance the performance with regard to blocking of the ultra violet
rays, transparency
of the structures, photo reactivity, and resistance to stain and odor.
Moreover,
nanotechnology based coatings can enable creating self-cleaning surfaces.
Many of these
are already being embedded into window glasses and plumbing fixtures.
Nanomaterials and
nanotech based applications will thus take the construction industry much
beyond bricks
and mortar.
Nanotechnology in Construction Industry: A Case Study of India
India is a vast landscape. It has inhabitations with various levels of
development. A house
constructed is a common man’s dream, a factory constructed is an
entrepreneur’s dream,
and an infrastructure constructed is everyone’s desire. The industrial,
infrastructure and real
estate sectors in India in general have been developing fast in the recent
times. While the
new investments in industrial sector in India give a boost to construction
activities, they also
spur urbanization and infrastructure development leading to further growth
in construction
activity. The Indian construction industry today is in search of solutions
which a nano
technology enabled techniques can offer. This leads to the fact that nano
construction
materials have a great potential in the markets of India.
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Prominent issues How nano materials can resolve
Maintenance of glass
structures
anti- fogging and self-cleaning glasses, low maintenance
windows
Rusting & scratch long lasting scratch resistant floors using
nanotechnology
Corrosion/ rusting in
structures
super strong structural components made with nano
technology
Low life of paints: fading
etc
longer lasting house paint using nanotechnology
healthy and safe indoor climates using nano technology
self cleaning skyscrapers using nanotechnology
antimicrobial steel surfaces using nano technology
better industrial building maintenance
Less energy consuming buildings using nano technology
long lasting roads and bridges using nanotechnology
self-sterilizing kitchen counters using nanotechnology
Numerous problems solved
at one stroke by integrating
nano science!
humidity controlling materials using nano technology
Nano technology in Chemicals
Nanotechnology: Changing the Chemistry for Ever
SAiNSCE a catalyst in this mega change
Modern life and particularly the industry depend upon various man made
processes and
products. Chemical processes in particular and their interfaces with other
disciplines like bio
technology and physics result into numerous products which have become
essential for
present society and economy. Nano technology affects all these processes not
only in terms
of its potential in bringing out newer products or substituting certain
products but actually in
much more fundamental ways. It is becoming clear that nano technology has
the prospects
of showing new effects based on the physical properties of the matter rather
than their
chemical properties. It is imperative therefore and important to comprehend
the social,
educational, environmental and economic benefits of chemical nanotechnology.
At the same
time, it is also necessary to know its implications in the health, safety
and environmental
areas.
This means that the same substance/material can be used nano technologically
for
developing totally new products and processes which serve the same or
different purpose.
This will have wide effects on chemical engineering and material management
in the years
to come. Therefore, presently, there is lot of focus world wide on chemical
nanotechnology
and it is bringing the chemists closer to the experts in other disciplines
including physics
and biochemistry, as also the material scientists, engineers and
industrialists.
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Application of nano technology is particularly important for the production
and use of new
nano-structured materials as well as production and use of nano particles
including metals,
oxides and other inorganic structures. The manufacture of carbon and inorganic
nano tubes
and fullerenes and their use in technological processes is another important
aspect of nano
chemical engineering. The making and using of novel quantum dots and new
biologically
relevant nanostructures is a big revolution through use of nanoscience. Nano
structured
coatings and surfaces open up a whole new area of surface treatments like
coatings, paints,
and texturing surface and self cleaning surfaces. It is felt that with these
strategic
innovations, there will be reduction in adhesion in paintings leading to
lesser requirement of
not only the anti-fouling agents but considerable reduction in consumption
of paint itself.
Chemical nano technology in India: a case study
Indian scenario is characterized by low level of chemical exploitation and
efficiency. This is
mainly because of the lack of technology and the forward linkages. Of late,
activities in the
Industrial sector has picked up generating fresh demands for various
chemicals. The
headquarters of SAiNSCE, the Gujarat State of India , however, represents a
different and
more robust scene in terms of chemical industry. It is the Indian hub of
chemical, petrochemical,
plastics and pharmaceutical industry. Thus, SAiNSCE is in a position to
immediately leverage its understanding and strength in the Nano chemicals
for the market
which is huge and expanding. This experience and network will ,of course, be
useful for
the greater Indian framework and even out of India.
Major & critical issues in
Chemical sector
What nano technology can do
Chemical vapors Chemical vapor sensors: nanotechnology
enabled sensors can detect even small
amounts of chemical vapors. Detecting
elements like carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide
nano wires or palladium nano particles can
be strategically used in nanotechnologybased
sensors. This will help us
monitoring the quality of air very easily.
How to detect low
ntrations through strategic
ations of nano science
Since the size of the above nano devices is
small, even a few gas molecules are
sufficient to change the electrical
properties of the sensing elements. This
allows strategic detection of even very low
concentration of chemical vapors. These
nano tech enabled sensors can be installed
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at any establishment to check the level of
chemical vapors.
Management of hazardous
cals through nanotech
ations
nano technology driven innovations will
definitely have the potential of reducing
risks relating to several hazardous
substances and chemical processes.
Chemical substitution is a vast area opened
by the applications of nano science. An
important example is the substitution of
anti-fouling nano coatings, used in the ship
industry.
Major applications of nano
ce under development
Sensors which use:
• ‘zinc oxide nano-wire detection
elements’ capable of detecting a
variety of chemical vapors.
• ‘carbon nanotube detection
elements’ capable of detecting a
variety of chemical vapors.
• ‘pallidium nanoparticle detection
elements’ to mainly detect hydrogen
gas
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What SAiNSCE is doing and what does it envision
The passion of Team SAiNSCE is to see to it that nano ideas are converted
into
commercially and socially viable solutions which make the earth a better
place to livebe
it through bringing efficiency in the agri and food sector, nanotechnology
applications for clean and affordable water, effective cleaner energy
solutions, smarter
clothes, better buildings, better chemical processes and coatings,…………….so
on and
so forth.
Among our initial nano tech steps, SAiNSCE has started:
SAiNSCE has started marketing and distribution of nanotech products in
India. The aim is
to gradually expand to the Asian markets. While its vision is to cater to
the global markets,
its focus is on the Indian market as it is a huge market, it offers enormous
opportunities and
challenges. It aims at pioneering the R & D in India to develop nanotech
products that
would enhance the wellbeing of people. In nut shell, at present, we are
doing the following:
• Collaborating with researchers and companies producing useful nano
technology
driven tools, products and devices
• Doing more applied research in Nano technology and study as to how to
customize
these processes and products to primarily suit the Indian requirements.
• Taking these nano technology products in the market and to demonstrate
their real
time ability.
• Getting back to the companies with user feedback about the nano
technology, its
cost and other operational issues.
• Marketing of nanotechnology products
The region of our headquarters, the Gujarat State of India, is the
industrial face of India. It
contributes almost 40% of industrial production, 20% of exports and 30% of
market
capitalization of the country. Not only this, the pace of growth in
industrial investments is
very high making it an ideal market for a number of products in the
industrial sector..
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Further, this region has a long coast line where most of the Industrial
development is now
taking place. This also fosters the growth of urbanization in this area
giving rise to a
demand for various products. There are a number of projects coming up in the
infrastructure and real estate sectors, again creating a huge demand for a
range of products.
These factors in toto make Gujarat and India an ideal target market for
products like anti
corrosion coatings, insulation, various nanomaterials, nano ceramics, water
desalination
for industrial use and so on.
SAiNSCE is operating from a place, the State of Gujarat, which is the hub of
chemical &
petrochemical industries in India and has a thriving pharma industry. It is
also an important
centre for auto parts and engineering products, which will further expand
due to the Nano
Car project. Gujarat is also poised to be the hub of health infrastructure.
All these give a
tremendous potential for various nanotechnology enabled devices and
materials.
India offers a very good potential for renewable energy. The region from
where SAiNSCE
operates i.e. the State of Gujarat in particular, is geographically favorable
for solar and wind
installations because of a long coastline and high solar radiation. The
region also has plans
to develop itself as a hub of this non-conventional energy. Thus SAiNSCE
strategically
placed to venture into the sector of renewable energy. Better life and
cleaner environment
being our motto, SAiNSCE is networking with the stakeholders for
commercialization of
nanotech applications for production, transmission and conservation of clean
energy. It is
also aggressively working for creating awareness among the stakeholders
towards this issue
through various forums. We believe that cleaner energy through applications
of
nanoscience will benefit the society both of today and the future and will
of course create
business opportunities for the ventures involved in this sector. SAiNSCE has
already started
tying up marketing of solar nano tech devices in the Indian market. Very
shortly, it plans to
take up manufacture of nano enabled energy devices particularly in the solar
field. Also,
through our initiatives in water and other sectors, we are committed to
offer a qualitative
service in the environmental field.
Nano textiles is a field where sky is the limit. It is also a field where
commercial
applications of nanotechnology are easier. In fact, many are already on
board, lending
confidence in nano technology. SAiNSCE, keeping abreast of the latest in the
field of nano
science applications and nanotechnology, futuristic fashion trends and
functional
requirements, has identified niche markets and specialty products for which
it is doing the
complete value chain networking. SAiNSCE is also tying up with a number of
companies to
market nano tech devices and products which can be used in the textiles
sector to achieve
what the modern textiles should look like. SAiNSCE is also tying up for
developing nano
enabled garments to suit the market and fashion industry. Indian market
itself has diverse
fashion trends and functional requirements owing to various weather
conditions and a
conjunction of traditional and modern choices. SAiNSCE will eventually
narrow down on a
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range of niche nano enabled textiles products, mainly with a focus on giving
better products
to the society like increasing durability in terms of all parameters, anti
infection clothing,
low cost attractive fashion clothing and many more. SAiNSCE is based in
Gujarat, India
which is a cotton growing region. It will focus on nano enabled cotton
garments. It also
plans to produce and market super specialty products like nano enabled
organic cotton
garments designed for the Indian Diaspora. SAiNSCE will strive to use
nanotechnology for
producing low cost value added good quality clothing for the people
SAiNSCE is in the process of developing certain nano tech products in
collaboration of a
huge industrial base in various industries here in Gujarat, India. We are
also working on a
few proposals to act as the R & D platform for nano products of other
companies so as the
get the economies of scale. We started developing our own R & D base
which, in addition
to our own use, we will offer for use by others and on the basis of
outsourcing as well.
In the near future, SAINSCE will zero down on certain nano technology
devices in various
fields and in due course of time. We plan to develop our own
manufacturing/assembly lines
using nanotechnology applications in due course of time. We will start
manufacturing and
marketing some of these products for which we are currently in the process
of strategic tie
up with appropriate nanotechnology companies.