PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department
Bayambang, Pangasinan

Written Report
in GE 6
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
Unit 13: Nanotechnology

Presented by: BSE EL I-1 Group 6

Bandong, Zandrei
Capena, Kathleen Nicole
Ibuan, Kenneth Royce
Miranda, Christine
Ramos, Bianca Yssabel
Torio, Deejie
Valdez, Arianne
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

I. Introduction

As we engage in a technologically advanced modern world, advancements in the

fields of science and technology are inevitable. As such, one of the key features is
known as nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the near-atomic manipulation of matter to
create new structures, materials, and gadgets. The technique offers scientific
improvement in a variety of fields, including medical, consumer goods, energy,
materials, and manufacturing. However, too much of anything is dangerous. In so doing,
this unit will discuss all about nanotechnology, its concepts, principles, applications,
benefits, and positive and negative effects on the environment.

II. Body

Nanotechnology: A Small Solution to Bigger Problems

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

The word 'nano' refers to a Greek prefix that means 'dwarf' or 'very little' and
represents one thousand millionth of a meter (10-9 m). Nanoscience is the study of
structures and chemicals on nanometer sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm, and
nanotechnology is the technology that uses it in practical applications such as
electronics.

Nanotechnology is a discipline of science and engineering concerned with

creating, manufacturing, and deploying structures, devices, and systems by
manipulating atoms and molecules at the nanoscale.

A nanometer is a unit of length that is one billionth (10-9) of a meter. What

exactly is a nanometer (nm)? A single human hair measures between 80,000 and
100,000 nm in width.

Materials with unexpected characteristics can be found at the nanoscale scale.

When the size of a particle changes, it can change color, for example. Because the
arrangement of atoms in nanometer-scale particles reflects light differently. Silver might
seem yellowish or amber-colored, whereas gold can appear dark red or purple.

A material's surface area can be increased via nanotechnology. More atoms can
now interact with other materials. One of the primary reasons nanometer-scale
GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias
Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

materials can be stronger, more durable, and more conductive than their larger-scale
(called bulk) counterparts is their higher surface area.
When did the concept begin?
The ideas and concepts that underpin nanoscience and nanotechnology began
with physicist Richard Feynman's talk titled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" on
December 29, 1959, at an American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute
of Technology (CalTech), long before the term nanotechnology was used. In his
address, Feynman outlined a method for scientists to influence and control individual
atoms and molecules. Professor Norio Taniguchi created the term nanotechnology
more than a decade later while researching ultraprecision machining. Modern
nanotechnology did not begin until 1981, with the discovery of the scanning tunneling
microscope, which could "see" individual atoms.

Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials have length scales ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. Materials
begin to display distinct features that impact physical, chemical, and biological behavior
at this scale. The study, development, and use of these qualities is at the heart of
modern technology.

1. Natural Nanomaterials
These are processes which happen naturally in the world. These include volcanic
ash particles, smoke, and even molecules in our bodies, such as hemoglobin in our
blood.

2. Artificial Nanomaterials
They result from items or processes made by mankind. Exhaust from fossil-fuel-
burning engines and various kinds of pollution are examples.

3. Intentionally Produced Nanomaterials

There are four main types:

 Carbon-based nanomaterials

They are fullerenes that are created on purpose. Carbon nanotubes and buckyballs
are two examples. Carbon nanotubes are frequently created using a technique known
as carbon assisted vapor deposition. Scientists create a substrate, or base material, on
which the nanotubes grow in this procedure. Silicon is a widely used substrate. The
chemical process that produces the nanotubes is then aided by a catalyst. Iron is a

GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

popular catalyst. Finally, a hot gas must be blasted over the substrate and catalyst. The
carbon that develops into nanotubes is included in the gas.

 Metal-based Nanomaterials

Gold nanoparticles and quantum dots are examples of metal-based nanomaterials.

Different methods are used to create quantum dots. Under high temperatures, tiny
crystals of two distinct elements are produced in one manner. The size of the
nanometer-scale crystals may be precisely regulated by carefully managing the
temperature and other variables. The fluorescent color is determined by the size. These
nanocrystals are made up of quantum dots, which are small semiconductors floating in
a solution.

 Dendrimers

Dendrimers are complex nanoparticles made up of interconnected, branching

components. Each dendrimer is made up of three parts: a core, an inner shell, and an
outer shell. Furthermore, each dendrimer contains branching ends. A dendrimer's core,
inner shell, outer shell, and branching ends may all be programmed to fulfill a specific
chemical function.

 Nanocomposites

Nanomaterials are combined in nanocomposites with other nanomaterials or with

bigger, bulk materials. Nanocomposites are classified into three types: nanoceramic
matrix composites (NCMCs), metal matrix composites (MMCs), and polymer matrix
composites (PMCs).

Why is nanotechnology a small solution to bigger problems?

Nanotechnology is critical for enhancing goods, alleviating diseases, and helping

mankind in all aspects of life. Furthermore, it provides a tremendous deal of promise for
future scientific revolutions in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and other fields.
Its goal is to offer a new and improved method to cancer detection and therapy.

Finally, it covers numerous biological processes and tools, as well as quicker, smaller,
and more powerful computers and carbon nanotubes, which can be significant in
sustaining computer power development.

GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

Environmental Nanoparticles
Nature itself is a skilled nanotechnologist. Natural nanomaterials were abundant
during the earth’s formation and throughout its evolution over the past 4.5 billion years.
It can be found everywhere in nature (fullerenes and graphene have even been
discovered in space). Only with recent advances in instrumentation and metrology
equipment are researchers beginning to locate, isolate, characterize, and classify the
vast range of their structural and chemical varieties. Our drinking water is full of
polydispersed nanoscopic and microscopic solid materials of irregular shape (CaCO3,
CaSO4, and HS iron oxides). Researchers estimate that soils are the most prolific
generators of the earth’s nanomaterials and that oceans provide the largest collective
reservoir of these materials.
The main sources of nanomaterials are volcanic ashes, the formation of humic
substances, desert storms, and biological materials.

nanoparticle is a tiny particle with a size range between 1 and 100 nanometers. The
physical and chemical characteristics of nanoparticles, which are invisible to the human
sight, might differ dramatically from those of their bigger material counterparts.
Natural nanoparticles are generated in different environmental compartments
by various physical, chemical, and biological processes.

 Atmospheric

Volcanic ashes(inorganic)

 Terrestrial & Aquatic

Examples are silicates, oxides, carbonates, phosphates, and metal sulfides

(Inorganic) and macromolecules, biocollides, and cellular debris. (Organic)

Engineered nanoparticles are nanomaterials that are produced by all human activities
in the world, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Engineered nanoparticles may be

GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

bought from commercial vendors or generated via experimental procedures by lab

researchers.

 Unintentional: nanomaterials are unintentionally produced as a result of any form

of direct or indirect human influence or anthropogenic process. Examples are
wear and corrosion and waste and combustion products.
 Intentional: nanoparticles conceived, designed, and intentionally produced by
humans Such as Carbonaeeous NPs, metal oxides, semiconductor materials,
and nanopolymers.

EXAMPLES AND APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

1. ELECTRONICS
 In order to create quantum nanowires that are lighter, more conductive,
and stronger, as well as smaller, faster, and more efficient microchips and
gadgets, carbon nanotubes are quickly displacing silicon as the preferred
material. Due to its characteristics, graphene is a great choice for flexible
touchscreen development.
 Graphene- Because it is strong, adaptable, light, and has a high
resistance, graphene stands out. This substance is 200 times stronger
than steel and five times lighter than aluminum, according to calculations.
These characteristics make graphene useful in the fields of electronics,
construction, health care, and energy.

2. ENERGY
 Solar panels that convert twice as much sunshine into power are now
conceivable thanks to a new semiconductor created by Kyoto University.
Costs are decreased, stronger and lighter wind turbines are produced, fuel
efficiency is increased, and energy savings are possible due to some
nanocomponents' ability to insulate heat.
 These catalysts convert fuels like methanol into hydrogen ions. In fuel
cells, membranes are utilized to separate hydrogen ions from other gases
like oxygen. Nanotechnology is being employed to increase the
effectiveness of these membranes.
3. BIOMEDICINE
 Some nanomaterials' characteristics make them perfect for enhancing
early cancer or neurological disease diagnosis and treatment. They can
target cancer cells specifically without endangering healthy cells.
Additionally, certain nanoparticles have been employed to improve
medicinal goods like sunscreen.

GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

4. ENVIRONMENT
 Some of its environmentally friendly applications include heavy metal
nanofiltration systems, wastewater treatment with nanobubbles, and ion-
based air purification. There are also nanocatalysts available to improve
the effectiveness and reduce the pollution of chemical reactions.
5. FOOD
 In this area, nanocomposites and nanobiosensors could be utilized to
increase food production by reducing oxygen transfer in packed goods,
enhancing mechanical and thermal resistance, and detecting the presence
of pathogens in food.
 Nanocomposites- A multiphase solid substance called a nanocomposite
has one, two, or three dimensions that are fewer than 100 nanometers
(nm), or structures with nanoscale repeat distances between the various
phases that make up the material.
 Nanobiosensors- portable and accurate chemical and biological agent
detectors that are helpful for patient testing at the point of care.
6. TEXTILE
 Nanotechnology enables the creation of stronger, lighter, and more
durable materials for sports equipment and motorcycle helmets as well as
intelligent fabrics that are wrinkle- and stain-resistant. For instance, adding
nano-whiskers to pants-making fabric creates a thin, water- and stain-
resistant fabric.

BENEFITS FROM NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology has been regarded as a game-changer for a variety of

industries, including energy, electronics, and the medical field. In this emerging field of
science, materials and technologies with special features are created by manipulating
matter at the atomic and molecular level. Nanotechnology has attracted a lot of attention
from both investors and researchers due to its potential to impact several industries.
The following are some of the several benefits from nanotechnology:

1. Lower energy consumption: The use of graphene into a coating material resulting
in the need for only one layer, which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Two
applications for a graphene-based coating are to apply it to a blade used in wind
turbines or on the body of an airplane. It saves the weight increasing efficiency.
2. Cost saving on materials: An alternative energy method such as hybrid automobiles
will decrease the price by novel developments in nanotechnology.
3. Less waste on raw materials: large sample testing will be done on a smaller scale
and simultaneously use of raw materials will become more efficiency. Nanoscale
chemical reagents (or catalysts) increase the reaction rate and other efficiency of
chemical reactions.
GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias
Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

4. Environmental monitoring and protection: Utilizing advanced nanotechnology, a

detector was made to detect a nuclear leak faster and more accurate at the Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Which is one of the best radiation detectors in Washington
and can sense the faintest amount of radiation.
5. Biological applications: Developing ultra-small probes on planetary surfaces for
agricultural applications and control of soil, air, and water contamination.
6. Biomedical applications: This includes the medical diagnostic and treatments
While nanotechnology is seen as the way of the future and is a technology that a lot of
people think will bring a lot of benefit for all who will be using it, nothing is ever perfect
and there will always be pros and cons to everything.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

With nanotechnology being heralded as the next technological leap, scientists

are already hard at work developing a variety of uses for it. It is no longer a question of
if, but rather of when we will see more things developed using nanotechnology.
1. Health. Nanotechnology is described as a collection of Nanoparticles created
with an explicit objective of achieving a certain goal. Nanoparticles, by
definition, are incredibly tiny in size, making them ideal for medical
applications as a means of effectively delivering critical drugs. Some of the
best research laboratories are already working on giving a way of Nano
delivery that will aid in the treatment of severely ill patients. They are also
developing nanoparticles that can be coated with particular compounds to
target specific bodily cells for faster and more efficient therapy.
2. Pollution. This is one of the few sectors that is already using Nano agents to
assist clean up oil spills, although it is still in the beta stage. Nevertheless,
progress has been made in cleaning up pollutants such as oil and chemical
spills.
 Cleaner, more efficient industrial processes
 Improved ability to detect and eliminate pollution by improving air,
water, and soil quality
 High precision manufacturing by reducing amount of waste
 Clean abundant power via more efficient solar cells
 Removal of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from the
atmosphere
 Decreased need for large industrial plants
 Remediating environmental damages
3. Space. Another field where nanotechnology will see widespread application in
the near future. Many corporations have recognized the advantages of
GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias
Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

selecting for smaller sized satellites to counterbalance the cost, and from a
business standpoint, it makes perfect sense to choose for Nanosized
satellites that can still work as intended, without loss of functionality.
These are some of the positive effects of nanotechnology, and while it is true that
nanotechnology appears to present us with significant benefits, the truth remains that it
has to be researched more before we feel comfortable adopting it in commercial
applications.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Nanoecotoxicology defines dangerous exposure by taking into consideration the entry

routes (air/water/soil-via food) and the circuit of nanomaterials in the abiotic and biotic
environment. Researches are concentrated in areas such as nanopollution,
ecotoxicology or environmental chemistry. The information are used to evaluate the risk
of nanomaterial use in a certain environment.

The potential Impact of nanomaterials on the environment is manifested as:

1. Direct effect on invertebrates, fish, micro-organisms, and other species;
2. interaction with other types of pollutants, that modifies the bioavailability of toxic
compounds and nutrients;
3. influence on non-living environmental structures.

In conclusion, evidence continues to grow in every human domain that, in addition to

the positive advancements brought about by nanotechnologies, they may also have a
negative impact on human health and environmental security. The medical effects of
nanopollution are not yet completely understood, but toxic effects on the pulmonary,
reproductive, cardiac, digestive, cutaneous and immune levels are identified.
Nanomaterials can also cause air, water and most important a soil persistent form of
pollution, which is too small to be detected easily, making nano-pollution another
manmade unwanted environmental impact, with uncertain effects in the long term.

III. Conclusion

Nanotechnology is the study and manipulation of individual atoms and

molecules. It is concerned with the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale
scale. The so-called nanoscale deals with dimensions ranging from 1 to 100
nanometers. At its heart are applications from various fields like biomedicine, electricity,
food, agriculture, the environment, and others. In other words, as nanotechnology
studies small particles, it becomes a small solution to bigger problems in the world. But
GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias
Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

as they are applied in many fields, they also produce catastrophic and detrimental
effects on health, the environment, and eventually society. It is always inevitable that
with new inventions paved the way by science and technology, amassing dangers are
at their core. It is no more and no less than humanity should make a boundary to use
these new technologies while maintaining and allowing them to be beneficial to the
world and its people.

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GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor
 Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus
College of Teacher Education
Languages Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

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GE 6 –SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Shaina Mae A. Tobias

Instructor