TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024 Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay & Paper V : NANOTECHNOLOGY : Science and Technology

 

 

TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024

Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay

&

Paper V : Science and Technology

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY 

 

For  Examination guidance purpose only

For any clarification please refer to the prescribed text books

 

Time : 3 Hours                                                                                      Marks : 150 

 

Note : Answer all questions. Answer ONE question from each section.

Answer to each question should be limited to around 1000 words. All questions carry equal marks .

For GENERAL ESSAY PAPER :

Syllabus :

Section-I 1. Contemporary Social Issues and Social Problems. 2. Issues of Economic Growth and Justice.

Section-II 1. Dynamics of Indian Politics. 2. Historical and Cultural Heritage of India.

Section-III 1. Developments in Science and Technology. 2. Education and Human Resource Development

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 Paper V : Science and Technology :

Syllabus:

I. The role and impact of Science and Technology.

1. Classical and Emerging areas of Science & Technology : Value addition by Science & Technology, Current Science & Technology developments in India and importance of Science & Technology as an engine for National Development ; Industrial development & Urbanization.

2. National Policy of Science & Technology: changes in Policy from time to time: Technology missions ICT: Basics in Computers, Robotics, Nano technology and Communication.

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GENERAL ESSAY:

NANOTECHNOLOGY

 

 

 

The first use of the term ‘nanotechnology’ has been attributed to Norio Taniguchi in a paper published in 1974 “On the Basic Concept of ‘’Nanotechnology”.

 

The discovery of nanotechnology has been attributed to Richard Feynman who presented a paper called ‘There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’ on 29 December 1959 at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society. Feynman talked about the storage of information on a very small scale, writing and reading in atoms, about miniaturization of the computer, building tiny machines, tiny factories and electronic circuits with atoms.

 

‘Nanotechnology’ is a term that is used to describe the science and technology related to the control and manipulation of matter and devices on a scale less than 100 nm in dimension

 

Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres. Quantum mechanical effects are important at this quantum-realm scale. Nanotechnology is considered a key technology for the future.

 

What is Nanometer?

Ans:

One nanometer (nm) is one billionth, or 10^-9  , of a meter. By comparison, typical carbon-carbon bond lengths, or the spacing between these atoms in a molecule, are in the range 0.12–0.15 nm, and a DNA double-helix has a diameter around 2 nm.

 

On the other hand, the smallest cellular life-forms, the bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma, are around 200 nm in length.

 

By convention, nanotechnology is taken as the scale range 1 to 100 nm following the definition used by the National Nanotechnology Initiative in the US. The lower limit is set by the size of atoms (hydrogen has the smallest atoms, which are approximately a quarter of a nm diameter) since nanotechnology must build its devices from atoms and molecules. The upper limit is more or less arbitrary but is around the size that phenomena not observed in larger structures start to become apparent and can be made use of in the nano device. These new phenomena make nanotechnology distinct from devices which are merely miniaturised versions of an equivalent macroscopic device; such devices are on a larger scale and come under the description of microtechnology.

 

What are the benefits  of Nanotechnology?

Ans:  

Nowadays,  Nanotechnology  have  entered  many  fields  to  serve  consumers.

Manufacturing small sized particles will step up the productivity of  devices used in

many fields like :

1. Stain-resistant-clothing.

2. Tires.

3. Sun screen products.

4. Biomedical devices.

5. Silicon based sensors.

 

 

 

 

 

Nanotechnology involves a multidisciplinary approach involving fields such as applied physics, materials science, chemistry, biology, surface science, robotics, engineering, electrical engineering and biomedical engineering. At this scale the properties of matter is dictated and there are few boundaries between scientific disciplines.

 

The emergence of nanotechnology in the 1980s was caused by the convergence of experimental advances such as the invention of the scanning tunnelling microscope in 1981 and the discovery of fullerenes in 1985, with the elucidation and popularization of a conceptual framework for the goals of nanotechnology beginning with the 1986 publication of the book Engines of Creation

 

 

Fuel cells, mechanically stronger materials, nanobiological devices, molecular electronics, quantum devices, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been made using nanotechnology. Even social scientists are debating ethical use of nanotechnology.

 

What are the two main approaches to explain nanotechnology?

Ans :

The two main approaches to explaining nanotechnology to the general public have been oversimplified and have become known as the ‘top-down’ approach and the ‘bottom-up’ approach.

 

1)Top-down approach:-

The top-down approach involves fabrication of device structures via monolithic processing on the nanoscale. This approach has been used with spectacular success in the semiconductor devices used in consumer electronics. The most successful industry utilizing the top-down approach is the electronics industry

 

2)Bottom-up approach:-

 The bottom-up approach involves the fabrication of device structure via systematic assembly of atoms, molecules or other basic units of matter. This is the approach nature uses to repair cells, tissues, organs of living and organ systems in living things, and indeed for life processes such as protein synthesis. Tools are evolving which will give scientists more control over the synthesis and characterization of novel nanostructures and yield a range of new products in the near future.

 

 

i)DNA nanotechnology utilizes the specificity of Watson–Crick basepairing to construct well-defined structures out of DNA and other nucleic acids.

ii) Approaches from the field of "classical" chemical synthesis (inorganic and organic synthesis) also aim at designing molecules with well-defined shape (e.g. bispeptides).

 

 

 

 

Fundamental Concepts about Nanotechnology:

1)Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current work and concepts that are more advanced. In its original sense, nanotechnology refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products. One nanometre (nm) is one billionth, or 10−9, of a meter. By comparison, typical carbon-carbon bond lengths, or the spacing between these atoms in a molecule, are in the range 0.12–0.15 nm, and a DNA double-helix has a diameter around 2 nm. 

 

2) On the other hand, the smallest cellular life-forms, the bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma, are around 200 nm in length

 

 

 

Modern synthetic chemistry has reached the point where it is possible to prepare small molecules to almost any structure. These methods are used today to manufacture a wide variety of useful chemicals such as pharmaceuticals or commercial polymers. This ability raises the question of extending this kind of control to the next-larger level, seeking methods to assemble these single molecules into supramolecular assemblies consisting of many molecules arranged in a well defined manner.

 

Molecular nanotechnology, sometimes called molecular manufacturing, describes engineered nanosystems (nanoscale machines) operating on the molecular scale. Molecular nanotechnology is especially associated with the molecular assembler, a machine that can produce a desired structure or device atom-by-atom using the principles of mechanosynthesis. Manufacturing in the context of productive nanosystems is not related to, and should be clearly distinguished from, the conventional technologies used to manufacture nanomaterial such as carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. When the term "nanotechnology" was independently coined and popularized by Eric Drexler (who at the time was unaware of an earlier usage by Norio Taniguchi) it referred to a future manufacturing technology based on molecular machine systems

 

 

 

Application of Nanotechnology :-

 

Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) are members of the carbon family (carboxylic-acid) groups. They were discovered in 1991 by Lijima.

Properties of CNTs:

CNTs became the top position Nano-material used in many applications in the nanotechnology field. CNTs have the following properties:

1. CNTs have unique mechanical and electronic properties combined with chemical stability.

2. Depending on diameter and helicity, CNTs behave electrically as metals or semiconductors.

3. CNTs have electronic properties like the ability to mediate electron transfer reactions with electroactive species in electrodes which enable them to be widely used in sensors and CPUs.

4. CNTs make devices easy to recycle which can prevent environmental pollution.

 

Application of CNTs:

CNTs have been used in many applications in the field of sensors and sensing

1. Nano-electrical and mechanical systems (NEMS): that integrates electrical and mechanical components with critical dimensions within 100 nm size. 2. Sensors. 3. CPU. 4. Storage Devices (Memory)

 

 

 

 

 

Nanorobotics:-

Nanorobotics centers on self-sufficient machines of some functionality operating at the nanoscale. There are hopes for applying nanorobots in medicine, but it may not be easy to do such a thing because of several drawbacks of such devices. Nevertheless, progress on innovative materials and methodologies has been demonstrated with some patents granted about new nanomanufacturing devices for future commercial applications, which also progressively helps in the development towards nanorobots with the use of embedded nanobioelectronics concepts

 

 

 

Most applications are limited to the use of "first generation" passive nanomaterials which includes titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics, surface coatings, and some food products; Carbon allotropes used to produce gecko tape; silver in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household appliances; zinc oxide in sunscreens and cosmetics, surface coatings, paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide as a fuel catalyst

 

Further applications allow tennis balls to last longer, golf balls to fly straighter, and even bowling balls to become more durable and have a harder surface. Trousers and socks have been infused with nanotechnology so that they will last longer and keep people cool in the summer. Bandages are being infused with silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster. Cars are being manufactured with nanomaterials so they may need fewer metals and less fuel to operate in the future. Video game consoles and personal computers may become cheaper, faster, and contain more memory thanks to nanotechnology. Nanotechnology may have the ability to make existing medical applications cheaper and easier to use in places like the general practitioner's office and at home

 

 

 

 

The past few decades, the fields of science and engineering have been seeking to develop new and improved types of energy technologies that have the capability of improving life all over the world. In order to make the next leap forward from the current generation of technology, scientists and engineers have been developing Energy Applications of Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, a new field in science, is any technology that contains components smaller than 100 nanometers. For scale, a single virus particle is about 100 nanometers in width.

An important subfield of nanotechnology related to energy is nanofabrication. Nanofabrication is the process of designing and creating devices on the nanoscale. Creating devices smaller than 100 nanometers opens many doors for the development of new ways to capture, store, and transfer energy. The inherent level of control that nanofabrication could give scientists and engineers would be critical in providing the capability of solving many of the problems that the world is facing today related to the current generation of energy technologies

 

 

Benefits:-

People in the fields of science and engineering have already begun developing ways of utilizing nanotechnology for the development of consumer products. Benefits already observed from the design of these products are an increased efficiency of lighting and heating, increased electrical storage capacity, and a decrease in the amount of pollution from the use of energy. Benefits such as these make the investment of capital in the research and development of nanotechnology a top priority:-

 

 

 

1)Carbon nanotubes are another possible material for use in an ultracapacitor. Carbon nanotubes are created by vaporizing carbon and allowing it to condense on a surface. When the carbon condenses, it forms a nanosized tube composed of carbon atoms. This tube has a high surface area, which increases the amount of charge that can be stored. The low reliability and high cost of using carbon nanotubes for ultracapacitors is currently an issue of research. 

2) Nanoporous carbon aerogel is one type of material that is being utilized for the design of ultracapacitors. These aerogels have a very large interior surface area and can have its properties altered by changing the pore diameter and distribution along with adding nanosized alkali metals to alter its conductivity

 

3) Fuel cells that are currently designed for transportation need rapid start-up periods for the practicality of consumer use. This process puts a lot of strain on the traditional polymer electrolyte membranes, which decreases the life of the membrane requiring frequent replacement. Using nanotechnology, engineers have the ability to create a much more durable polymer membrane, which addresses this problem. Nanoscale polymer membranes are also much more efficient in ionic conductivity. This improves the efficiency of the system and decreases the time between replacements, which lowers costs

 

Nanotechnology for 5G Communication field: -

The vision of using nanotechnology in the 5G communication field is to enhance mobile phones performance to which they referred as Nano-equipment.

The main goal is to improve the following properties: 1. Sensing. 2. Computing. 3. Communication. 4. Actuation. 5. Radio. 6. Intelligence. 7. Memory. 8. Energy Source. 9. Human Interaction.

 

 

One of the famous companies has new applications of nanotechnology in their mobile phones. The following properties of smart mobiles will be considered: 1. Size. 2. Storage. 3. Weight. 4. Hardness. 5. Speed.

 

 

Nanotechnology in information technology is implemented in many fields not only in computer and mobile devices. It is also implemented in medical fields, which can preserve human health by combining intelligent with low-cost products. Solving the mystery of CNT toxicity and proving that it's not toxic will step up the applications in nanotechnology fields. Testing CNT is more important than developing a new device that holds many risks on humans' health.

 

 

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Nanotechnology in Agriculture :-

Systems for sustainable intensification in Agriculture :

1)Sustainable intensification is a concept related to a production system aiming to increase the yield without adverse environmental impact while cultivating the same agricultural area.

 

2)In this context, novel nanomaterials based on the use of inorganic , polymeric, and lipid nanoparticles, synthesized by exploiting different techniques (e.g. emulsification, ionic gelation, polymerization, oxydoreduction etc.,) have been developed to increase productivity.

 

3)It is noteworthy to mention that nanomaterials could also be exploited to improve structure and function of pesticides by increasing solubility, enhancing resistance against hydrolysis and photodecomposition, and / or by providing a more specific and controlled – release toward target organisms.

 

Systems to improve the quality of the soil:-

i)Hydrogels, nanoclays, and nanozeolites have been reported to enhance the water-holding capacity of soil, hence acting as a slow release source of water, reducing the hydric shortage periods during crop season.

 

ii)Application of such systems are favourable for both agricultural purposes and reforestation of degraded areas.

 

iii)Organic e.g, such as polymer and carbon nanotubes and inorganic e.g., such as nano metals and metal oxides nanomaterials have also been used to absorb environmental contaminants, increasing soil remediation capacity and reducing times and costs of the treatments.

 

Nanomaterials as Agents to stimulate plant growth :

i)Carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of Au, SiO₂ ZnO, TiO₂ can contribute to ameliorate development of plants, by enhancing elemental uptake and use of nutrients.

 

ii)However, the real impact of nanomaterials on plants depends on their composition, concentration, size, surface charge, and physical chemical properties, besides the susceptibility of the plant species.

 

Nanosensors for the Management  of the Food Supply Chain :

i)Nanotechnology can find applications also in the development of analaytical devices dedicated to the control of quality , biosecurity, and safety not only in agriculture, but also along the food supply chain.

 

ii)In this context, nanosensors represent a powerful tool with advanced and improved features, compared to existing analytical sensors and biosensors.

 

iii)Nanosensors to aid decision-making in crop monitoring, accurate analysis of nutrients and pesticides in soil , or for maximizing the efficiency of water use for a smart agriculture.

 

iv)In this context, nanosensors could demonstrate their potential in managing all the phase of food supply chain, from crop cultivation and harvesting to food processing, transportation, packaging , and distribution.

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE :

Nanotechnology  is used or implemented for

1)Drug develivery

2)Diagnostic techniques

3)Antibacterial treatments

4)Wound treatment

5)Cell repair

6)Cancer Heat Therapy

7)Tissue engineering

 

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRONICS:

1)Cadmium selenide nanocrystals deposited on plastic sheets have been shown to form flexible electronic circuits.

2)Integrating silicon nanophotonics components into CMOS integrated circuits

3)Use of Nanomagnets as swits

4)To print prototype circuit boards using standard inkjet printers

5)Building transistors form carbon nanotubes

6)Developing a lead free solder reliable enough for space missions and other high stress environments using copper nanoparticles.

7)Combining gold particles like organic molecules to create a transistor known as a NOMFET

8)Using quantum dots to replace the fluorescent dots used in current displays. Displays using quantum dots should be simpler to make than current displays as well as use less power.

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENT :

1)Generating less pollution: Use of silver nanoclusters as catalysts can significantly reduce the polluting byproducts generated in the process used to manufacture propylene oxide

2)Propylene oxide is used to produce common materials such as plastics, paint, detergents and brake fluid.

3)To produce Solar Cells , using silicon nanowires

4)Increasing the electricity generated by windmills: Windmill blades  will be made with epoxy containing carbon nanotubes

5)Cleaning up Organic Chemicals polluting groundwater

6)Cleaning up of oil spills:Using photocatalytic copper tungsten oxide nanoparticles to break down oil into biodegradable compounds.

7) Researchers have demonstrated a catalyst that breaks down Volatile Organic Compounds from Air

8)Reducing the cost of fuel cells

9)Storing Hydrogen for Fuel Cell-Powered Cars:  using graphene layers to increase the binding energy of hydrogen to the graphene surface in a fuel tank results in a higher amount of hydrogen storage and a lighter weight fuel tank

10)Nanotechnology techniques to fabricate nanoscale thin membranes could lead to new membrane technology that could change the Carbon Dioxide Capture schemes

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS :

1)A nanoporous material called arogel is an excellent insulator

2)Knapsacks and briefcases that include flexible, nanoparticle based solar cells to charge your cell phone and other devices on the go.

3)Skin care products that use nanoparticles to deliver vitamins deeper into the skin

4)Sunscreens that use nanoparticles to block UV rays without leaving white residue on the skin.

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DEFENCE :

1)Use of Nano-Battlesuit

2)Nanotechnology allows smaller sensors which could find applications in various segments

3)Nano-drones

4)Nano-systems implanted within human bodies

5)Nano-satellites

6)Nano-nuclear, chemical and biological weapons

 

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN SPACE:

  

1)Propulsion System: Most of today’s rocket engines rely on chemical propulsion. All current spacecrafts use some form of chemical rocket for launch and most use them for altitude control as well the control of the angular position and rotation of the spacecraft, either relative to the object that it is orbing or relative to the celestial sphere.

2)Real rocket scientists though are actively researching new forms of space propulsion systems.

 

RADIATION SHIELDING :

Radiation shielding is an area where nanotechnology could make a major contribution to human space flight. A lot of research therefore focuses on developing countermeasures to protect astronauts from those risks.

 

To meet the needs for radiation protection as well as other requirements such as low weight and structural stability, spacecraft designers are looking for materials that help them develop multifunctional spacecraft hulls.

 

Advanced nanomaterials such as the newly developed, isotopically enriched boron nanotubes could pave the path to future spacecraft with nanosensor-integrated hulls that provide effective radiation shielding as well as energy storage

 

Another area of required radiation shielding is the protection of onboard electronics.