Textbook of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
This book is meant to serve as a textbook for beginners in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. It can also be used as additional reading in this multifaceted area. It covers the entire spectrum of nanoscience and technology: introduction, termino
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Application of Nanomaterials 107
Chapter 4 C
Applications of Nanomaterials Learning objectives • Nano-electronic devices, MEMS, NEMS and sensors • Use of nanoscience in the medical, food and agriculture industries, automobile, textile, water treatment and civil applications • Application of nanotechnology for strategic use in energy, space and defense
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istorically, there are several recorded instances of technologies that have revolutionized human civilization. From the invention of automobile wheels to the printing press, technological revolutions have resulted in remarkable improvement in the quality of life and have eventually led to societal transformations. With nanotechnology promising to impact almost every sector (Fig. 4.1), it is popularly believed that this could be the next revolution.
Fig. 4.1 Application potential of nanotechnology in diverse fields. B. S. Murty et al., Textbook of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-28030-6_4, © Universities Press (India) Private Limited 2013
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Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Since nanomaterials possess unique chemical, physical and mechanical properties, they can be used for a wide variety of applications—from toothpaste to satellites. Nanotechnology is being used in virtually all fields, from science to engineering, and health to medicine. Although nanotechnology is still only in its infancy, the consumer world is already exploding with ‘nanotechnology enhanced’ products. The revolution in communications systems, represented by the common sight of everyone, including the young and old, student and professional, craftsman and scientist, holding a mobile telephone, is perhaps the most obvious evidence of the potential of this new technological imperative. Nanomaterials are also used in cosmetics, textiles, healthcare, tissue engineering, catalysis, functional coatings, medical diagnosis and therapeutics, sensors and communication engineering, and water and air pollution treatment. Chapter 1 gave a brief description of some of the applications of nanotechnology. This chapter will provide a brief description of the applications of nanotechnology in a wide spectrum of fields.
4.1 NANO-ELECTRONICS Arguably, the most intangible impact of nanotechnology has been in the field of electronics (Fig. 4.2). The last few decades have witnessed a dramatic decrease in feature size accompanied by an enhancement in processing speed. Semiconductor electronics technology has seen a revolutionary change—the transition from macroscopic to nanoscale transistors. In 1897, JJ Thompson discovered electrons while working with vacuum tubes to investigate the properties of cathode rays. The vacuum tubes were bulky components. In fact, the first Nano-electronics, high-density memory, high-speed computation
High-efficiency display system
Nanocomposite RF shielding
High-efficiency chip cooling
Nanostructured battery, flexible solar cell
Fig. 4.2 Possible impact of nanotechnology on electronic products. (Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VIA_Tablet_PC_
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