It was December 29, 1959, when Richard Feynman delivered a lecture titled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" and changed the world. At the California Institute of Technology meeting, he explained that atoms and molecules could be manipulated. By introducing the term 'Nanotechnology,' Professor Norio Taniguchi provided a shape to the concept that Richard Feynman laid a foundation for. In 1981, professor Norio developed a Scanning tunneling microscope to see distinctive atoms.
From 1981 to date, the world has experienced advancements in Nanotechnology, and it is fair to say that the Future is in small things. It is almost impossible to speculate just how small a nanometer can be. A billionth of a meter makes one nanometer. On average, the diameter of human hair is 80,000 nanometers. And this small nanometer has proved to be a groundbreaking discovery ever.
Unbelievable, Right!
We can manipulate atoms and molecules and design or produce structures and devices through Nanotechnology. As the name suggests, all the procedures occur at the nanoscale. Naturally, many structures have one or more dimensional nanometers, and technology has involved nanostructures for many years. However, Nanotechnology has made it possible to develop such structures intentionally.
The applications of Nanotechnology have entirely different properties from the same materials at more considerable sizes. Such a thing happens due to the high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles. Nanotechnology unlocks the door to an entirely different world.
Increasing energy consumption efficiency, cleaning the environment, and providing resolutions to significant health problems are some of the feathers in Nanotechnology's hat. In addition, it can drastically increase manufacturing production with relatively lower costs. According to the experts, Nanotechnology products are more functional in lightweight and small sizes. Moreover, with less energy and fewer raw materials required, they are easy to manufacture.
Sectors like Industrial sectors, medicine production, the Information and communication sector, and food and energy technology have embraced Nanotechnology with open arms. Further, it can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution, which can be its most enormous contribution to humanity.
Key advancements in Nanotechnology:
Wound healing
Several factors disturb natural wound healing. Nevertheless, nanotechnology has given its solution. Many nanotechnology-based drugs include silver, gold, copper, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide nanoparticles. All of these drugs can work against the strains of B. subtilis, E. coli, S. aureus, etc.
Diabetes treatment
Nanotechnology has made it possible to treat diabetic patients with artificial pancreas rather than pancreas transplant. The Nanotechnology applications used in diabetes treatment are Beta cells, Insulin's oral delivery, and biodegradable nanosphere polymers used to bypass gastric acids.
Reconfiguration of electronic materials
Nanotechnology can reversibly reconfigure the chemical composition and physical properties of the materials. For this, an electric field has to be applied at room temperature. The reconfiguration can be achieved by controlling the internal ion distribution in a solid-state film. Nanotechnology lets reconfiguration of various materials like dielectric films. It has also developed new device concepts like resistive random access memory.
Agriculture
Nanotechnology can play a significant role in agriculture. There are many nanomaterials and nanoparticles like Nano-fertilizers, nano-coated fertilizers, engineered metal oxide, and carbon-based nanomaterials, which are getting preferred by farmers and scientists worldwide. There is a nano-formulation of traditional active ingredients or inorganic nanomaterials in Nanopesticides that enable them to target the release of these agrochemicals to get complete effectiveness without overdosage.
Nobody can argue the fact that Nanotechnology is bringing change in every field. But, mostly, people are confused about how it is progressing in their sector of interest and how Nanotechnology's in-depth knowledge can affect their careers.
I am sure NSTC's website and the enriched Nanotechnology courses can clear your doubts. Go for it!