Module 3 Section 4

Republic of the Philippines
COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Katipunan, Arakan, Cotabato
Telefax: (064) 288-1343
Email Address: cfcstedu@gmail.com; Website: www.cfcst.edu.ph
Lesson 4
Nanotechnology
This Lesson discusses nanotechnology and how the manipulation of matter on a nanoscale impacts
the society. It focuses on both the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology.
Desired Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:
1. discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its importance to society;

2. enumerate the positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology on the environment and society;
and
3. identify the moral and ethical questions and concerns surrounding nanotechnology.
Content Focus
Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with the manipulation of the study of
matter at the nanoscale. It covers all types of research and technologies that deal with the special properties
of matter on an atomic molecular and supramolecular scale.
Scientist in the field of chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering are all
involved in studying matter on the nanoscale. Nanoscale is “convergent” because it brings together various
fields of science through its innovations, e.g., DNA silicon chips, converging between semiconductor
science (inorganic chemistry) and biology, with applications in the medical industry. It also involves
design, characterization, production, and application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling
shapes and sizes at the nanometer scale. This technology is “enabling” in the sense that it provides the
platform and the tools to produce innovations.
To decipher how nanotechnology works, three dimensions must be considered. The first
dimension involves tangible objects which include materials, devices, and systems. The second-dimension
deals with the passive and static objects i.e., nanoparticles that have properties different bulk object, even if
they have the same composition; the active devices, i.e., those that can store information, induce energy, or
change their state; and the nanofacture, which refers to atomically precise manufacturing (APM), i.e.,
collection of instruments and procedures. The third dimension is direct nanotechnology which refers to
materials structured at nanoscale components. This also extends to indirect nanotechnology, which starts
with nanoparticles but can be used in huge applications i.e., hugely powerful information processors with
individual nanoscale components (Ramsden, 2009).
Applications of Nanotechnology
With scientists and engineers continuously finding ways to make materials at the nanoscale, more
and more uses of nanotechnology arise.
In medicine, nanotechnology has numerous applications in the development of more effective

drugs. Assisted by the view of molecules afforded by X-ray lasers, biological mechanisms can be
simulated to destroy a cancer cell while it is treated by drug-bearing nanoparticles. Nanobots, or
molecular-scale workers can employ molecular processes within cells, which can deliver drugs to specific
molecular sites or even carry out surgery (Biercuk, 2011). It is now possible to diagnose prevalent
contagious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, among others, with screening devices using
nanotechnology (Maclurcan, 2005).
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Water purification systems containing nanomaterials and utilizing new membrane technologies
containing variable pore-sized filters (i.e., the forward-osmosis membrane technology of Hydration
Technologies) are now available (Jadhawar, 2004). Nanoparticles are also used to prepare heat-resistant
and self-cleaning surfaces, such as floors and benchtops. Nanoparticles of silicon dioxide or titanium
dioxide can also make a surface repel water, thus preventing stains. Detergent molecules self-assemble into
a sphere to form a micelle that allows the detergent tor trap oils and fats within the cavity of the sphere that
aids in washing surfaces. Zeolites are silicon oxides and aluminum oxides that have specific nanoporous
cage-like structures that are used as molecular sieves.
In agriculture, novel techniques of nanotechnology application are applied to breed crops with
higher levels of micronutrients to detect pests and to control food processing (Heckman, 2005). The Ultra-
small probes on earth surfaces for agricultural applications and control of soil, air and water contamination
are also developed using nanotechnology (Zhang et. al., 2011).
A simple, cheap, and effective way of removing arsenic in soil and water is through the use of
Tio2 nanoparticles. (Pena et al., 2005). A nanotechnology-inspired detector from Washington, which can
sense the smallest amount or radiation, located a nuclear leak faster and more accurately at the Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Zhang et al., 2011). Chlorinated compounds (i.e., chlorinated solvents and
pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and brominated compounds) are major environmental
contaminants that can be reduced using nanoscale matel particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni in conjunction
with iron filings [Fe (0)] (Dayrit et al., 2008). Silver (Ag) has long been known to exhibit strong
antimicrobial properties. Its activity has been enhanced with the discovery that the bactericidal properties
of Ag nanoparticles (1-100 nm) are dependent on both their size and shape.
Bionanotechnology can support cleaner production methods and provide alternative and
renewable energy sources to enhance the sustainability of factories (Colvin, 2003). Nanotechnology helps
in energy consumption like in the use of grapheme into a coating material resulting the need for only one
layer, which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Nanoscale chemical reagents or catalysts are
smaller yet they increase the rate of chemical reactions, thus lessening the input or raw materials (Zhang et
al., 2011).
In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in making source of renewable energy

accessible to many, developing medicine that would address serious diseases, improving the state of
agriculture, and more. There are also existing and ongoing research studies funded by the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) on the possible application of technology, as well as on Nano-Metrology
and Education and Public Awareness.
Challenges of Nanotechnology
The advantages brought by innovations in nanotechnology come with a price. With rapid
developments in nanotechnology, its adverse effects become more visible.
The environmental effect of mineral-based nanoparticles found in cosmetics, paints, clothing, and
other products are questioned as they go through sewerage treatment plants untreated due to their
undetectable size. They can be carried down by fine silts or microplastics with bot inorganic and organic
pollutants. Thus, thus may affect water source (Biercuk, 2011). For instance, in the 1980s, a semiconductor
plant contaminated the ground water in Silicon Valley, California (Zhang et al., 2011).
Carbon nanotubes used in the manufacture of memory storage, electronics, batteries, etc. were
found to have unknown harmful impact to the human body by inhalation into lungs comparable to asbestos
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fiver 11. A pulmonary toxicological evaluation of single-wall carbon nanotubes indicated that it is more
toxic than carbon black and quartz.
Due to its size, a nanoparticle is not easy to analyse. Lack of information and methods of
characterizing nanomaterials makes it a challenge to detect its concentration in air or in any matrix of the
environment. Predicting the toxicity of a nanomaterial relies heavily on information about its chemical
structure since minor changes in its chemical function group could drastically change its properties. Point-
to-point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology should then be conducted to ensure the safety to
human health and environment. Risk assessment should include the exposure risk and its probability to
exposure, toxicological analysis, transport risk, persistence risk, transformation risk, and ability to recycle
(Zhang et al., 2011). This is which quite expensive due to the difficulty of detecting nanoparticles.
Ethical Dilemmas of Nanotechnology
With identified potential hazards that nanoparticles can bring to human health and the
environment, should people disregard the benefits that nanotechnology provide them?
Issues raised regarding nanotechnology should be further studied, and nanotechnology methods
should be modified. For example, altering the composition of grapheme, known to be one of the most
advanced materials for structural improvement, replacing silicon in electronic devices, and thermal
transferring nanomaterial’s can be done to diminish environmental hazards of nanotechnology. Some
studies also found microorganisms that can decompose grapheme to make it less toxic for the environment
(Zhang et al., 2011).
It is imperative, therefore, that experts and governments support themselves with enough
knowledge on how nanomaterials work for the benefit of society.
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Activity. Flash Card Making
Instructions: Research on a nano product available in the market today. Draw or paste a picture of the
product on a 15 x 20 inch illustration board. At the back, write a 50-words description about the product,
particularly explaining how it was produced using nanotechnology.
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Module 3 Section 4

Uploaded by

Module 3 Section 4

Uploaded by

Republic of the Philippines

COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Desired Learning Outcomes

At the end of this section, the students should be able to:

1. discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its importance to society;

In medicine, nanotechnology has numerous applications in the development of more effective

In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in making source of renewable energy

Ethical Dilemmas of Nanotechnology

Activity. Flash Card Making

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