Nanobiotechnology And Environment

Nanobiotechnology and Environment By

MUHAMMAD SALMAN M.Phil leading to PhD National institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN [email protected]

Outline       

What is Nanotechnology? Biotechnology. Nanobiotechnology. Nano-materials. Characterization of Nano-materials. Nanobiotechnology and Environment. Applications.

Nanotechnology “The design, characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at nanometer scales” (~ 10-9 meter). OR Research and technology development at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length scale of approximately 1 - 100 nanometer range.

Biotechnology Biotechnology is the integration of natural sciences and engineering in order to achieve the applications of organisms, cells, part there of and molecular analogue for productions and services. Nanobiotechnology Applies the tools and processes of nanofabrication to build devices for studying biosystems or biomaterials.

Description of Nanobiotechnology Nanobiotechnology is an emerging field  cells discovered 1665  electron microscope 1950s  Watson and Crick discover DNA double helix 1953  Mapping of Human Genome 2003 Where is nanobiotechnology going? Applications?  Cell structure and physiology  Virus Detection  Radiation/Chemotherapy  Drug delivery  Neurological functions of the brain  Biomedical engineering research  Study of molecular behavior  Utilization of imaging devices

Nano-materials Nanostructure

Size

Example Material or Application

Clusters, nanocrystals, quantum dots

Radius: 1-10 nm

Insulators, semiconductors, metals, magnetic materials

Other nanoparticles

Radius: 1-100 nm

Ceramic oxides, Buckyballs

Nanowires

Diameter: 1-100 nm

Metals, semiconductors, oxides, sulfides, nitrides

Nanotubes

Diameter: 1-100 nm

Carbon, including fullerenes, layered chalcogenides

Characterization of Nanomaterials There are several important tools to characterize nonmaterial, Nanobiotechnology is incomplete without characterization. Characterization Tools  Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)  Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)  Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

Nanotechnology and the Environment  Nanotechnology

has the potential to substantially benefit environmental quality and sustainability through  Pollution prevention  Treatment  Remediation

Nanotechnology for pollution prevention Synthetic or manufacturing processes which can occur at ambient temperature and pressure. Use of non-toxic catalysts with minimal production of resultant pollutants. Use of aqueous-based reactions.

Involved in making a manufacturing process environmentally benign. An environmentally benign material or manufactured product that replaces toxic substances or minimizes raw materials.

Treatment & Remediation Iron Treatment Walls… 

End-of-pipe management and cleanup of pollution

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Used in groundwater treatment for many years. Iron chemically reduces organic and inorganic environmental contaminants. Currently involves granular or “microscale” iron (≥ 50 mm or 50,000 nm).

and Nanotechnology

• Nanosized iron enhances the reaction. Enhanced further by coupling with other metals (Fe/Pd)* on the nanoscale. • Nano Fe0 is more reactive and effective than the microscale. • Smaller size makes it more flexible penetrates difficult to access areas.

“Sense and Shoot” Approach to Pollution Treatment

• Nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO) “senses” organic pollutants indicated by change in visible emission signal. • The ZnO “shoots” the pollutants via photocatalytic oxidation to form more environmentally benign compounds. Sensing capability means that the energy-consuming oxidation stage only occurs when the pollutants present.

Dual role of ZnO semicondouctor film as a sensor and photocatalyst

• Multifunctionality and “smartness” is highly desirable for environmental applications.

Applications Medicine 

Drug delivery system

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Antimicrobial agents and coating Agents in cancer therapy

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Food and drinks    

package materials storage of life sensors Additives Clarification of fruit and juices

Green Manufacturing  Atom-by-atom construction (less material waste)  Elimination of waste products and streams for all types of products by designing in pollution prevention at the source using nanotechnologies  Manufacture of nanomaterials themselves in a benign manner

Green Energy  Solar and fuel cells that use nanomaterials  Energy savings via light weight composites, embedded systems