Nanotechnology is highly interdisciplinary, involving physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and the full range of the engineering disciplines. The word nanotechnology is widely used as shorthand to refer to both the science and the technology of this emerging field. Narrowly defined, nanoscience concerns a basic understanding of physical, chemical, and biological properties on atomic and near-atomic scales. Nanotechnology, narrowly defined, employs controlled manipulation of these properties to create materials and functional systems with unique capabilities.
In contrast to recent engineering efforts, nature developed “nanotechnologies” over billions of years, employing enzymes and catalysts to organize with exquisite precision different kinds of atoms and molecules into complex microscopic structures that make life possible. These natural products are built with great efficiency and have impressive capabilities, such as the power to harvest solar energy, to convert minerals and water into living cells, to store and process massive amounts of data using large arrays of nerve cells, and to replicate perfectly billions of bits of information stored in molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
There are two principal reasons for qualitative differences in material behaviour at the nanoscale (traditionally defined as less than 100 nanometres). First, quantum mechanical effects come into play at very small dimensions and lead to new physics and chemistry. Second, a defining feature at the nanoscale is the very large surface-to-volume ratio of these structures. This means that no atom is very far from a surface or interface, and the behaviour of atoms at these higher-energy sites have a significant influence on the properties of the material. For example, the reactivity of a metal catalyst particle generally increases appreciably as its size is reduced—macroscopic gold is chemically inert, whereas at nanoscales gold becomes extremely reactive and catalytic and even melts at a lower temperature. Thus, at nanoscale dimensions material properties depend on and change with size, as well as composition and structure.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology is an innovative field of research that has accomplished a great deal in the decades since Nobel Prize Laureate Richard Feynman introduced the concept in 1959. In the simplest terms, it deals with materials and devices with nanometer dimensions.
What Can Nanotechnology Do?
Over the past two decades, research and development have led to nanotechnology innovations, producing tailored materials with specific properties at the nanoscale. This has significantly expanded the materials science toolkit available to researchers, process engineers, and companies.
Lighter, stronger, more durable, and more reactive nanomaterials have been manufactured. Research has produced materials with enhanced electrical conductivity and complex architectures, making them suitable for multiple applications at the cutting edge of materials science and in numerous scientific fields.
Nanotechnology is a broad discipline that includes diverse scientific fields such as surface science, molecular biology, molecular engineering, organic chemistry, energy storage, and semiconductor physics.
The field has undergone a rapid evolution, with many nanoscale materials and processes making their way out of the laboratory and into everyday commercial products. Specifically, nanotechnology holds the greatest promise for electronics, energy, biomedicine, the environment, and food.
Carbon nanotubes are predicted to replace silicon as the key material for developing next-generation products in electronics. Carbon nanotubes can produce faster and more efficient microchips and quantum nanowires with strength and high conductivity. Carbon nanotubes can create electronics with greater storage capacities, longer battery life, and increased security.
Energy, specifically clean energy, has greatly benefited from nanotechnology. Nanostructured catalysts, for example, are used to improve the efficiency of fuel cells, nanofluids are used to enhance the transfer efficiency of solar connectors, and quantum dots and carbon nanotubes are used to boost energy absorption in solar cells. Nanotechnology will undoubtedly be fundamental to helping the world switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
TEHRAN –The tenth international congress on nanoscience and nanotechnology is scheduled to be held from January 29 to 30 in Rafsanjan, a city in the southern Kerman province.
The congress will mainly cover chemistry, physics, and modern nanotechnology fields, ISNA reported.
Themed ‘nanoscience development through the application of achievements’, the congress seeks to increase the relevance and applicability of nanoscience in daily life, particularly in the industrial sector.
The 10th congress also aims to demonstrate the impact of innovative science by showcasing the most recent research in the field of nanotechnology.
It will center around Nanostructural Material Characterization, Nanoelectronics and Nanophotonics, Nanochemistry and Nanophysics, Nanotechnology in Medical Science and Clinical Medicine, Nanotechnology in Industrial Processes.
Nanotechnology for Energy and Environment, Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Network, Nanotechnology Safety Considerations, Nanofabrication, Nanoassemblies and Nanoprocessing,
Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Science, Nanotechnology in Information Technology, as well as Nanobiotechnology are also among main topics.
Iran a global leader in nano-tech
Iran’s achievements in nanotechnology are noteworthy. The increase in scientific publications and sales of nano products proves Iran’s rise as a global leader in this field.
One of the industries that have experienced good growth in Iran in recent years is the nanotechnology industry, a subject area that has brought Iran to the impressive fourth place worldwide.
According to StatNano, a leading nanotechnology website, Iran has made great strides in the field of nanotechnology being ranked fourth in terms of nanotechnology publication.
This ranking proves the country’s remarkable scientific development.
The site considers the number of scientific articles to compare scientific progress in nanoscience, technology, and industry.
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials, and devices. The technology promises scientific advancement in many sectors such as medicine, consumer products, energy, materials, and manufacturing. Nanotechnology refers to engineered structures, devices, and systems.
In the past two decades, the world has observed a steady increase in the number of industries producing nano-based products and the number of countries promoting nanotechnology.
More importantly, the ratio of nanotechnology to nominal GDP has increased significantly, suggesting that the contribution of nanotechnology to World GDP has increased. Nanotechnology has also played a key role in the creation of new jobs, Press TV reported.
The nanotechnology sector is a prime example of success in Iran, an arena consisting of expert and program-oriented human resources with significant goals that shine like a jewel in the country’s innovation and technology ecosystem.
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