Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 7
Nanostructure
A nanostructure is a structure of intermediate size between microscopic and
molecular structures. Nanostructures are engineered structures with features at the nanoscale — between 1 and 100 nanometers. They include nanotextured surfaces, nanoparticles and nanotubes, as well as more complex nano-scale structures. Nanofabrication Nanofabrication refers to the design process of nanomaterial and devices that are measured in nanometers. One nanometer is one millionth (10-9) of a meter. Nanofabrication deals with the properties of atoms in a material and finding ways to save space, time and money compared to large devices. Silicon is a conventionally used material for micro and nanofabrication. Electron beam lithography is the principal nanofabrication technique used to create features at the nanoscale level on a material. Nanotechnology Nanotechnology refers to the branch of science and engineering devoted to designing, producing, and using structures, devices, and systems by manipulating atoms and molecules at nanoscale. The branch of technology that deals with making structures that are less than 100 nanometres long. Scientists often build these structures using individual molecules of substances. A nanometer is an extremely small unit of length—a billionth (10-9) of a meter. Nanotechnology can increase the surface area of a material. Using nanotechnology, materials can effectively be made stronger, lighter, more durable, more reactive, more sieve-like, or better electrical conductors. The American physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Richard Feynman introduce the concept of nanotechnology in 1959. Nanomaterials
There are four main types of intentionally produced nanomaterials: carbon-
based, metal-based, dendrimers, and nanocomposites.
Carbon-based nanomaterials
Carbon-based nanomaterials are intentionally produced fullerenes. These
include carbon nanotubes and buckyballs.
Carbon nanotubes are often produced using a process called carbon assisted vapor deposition. (This is the process NASA uses to create its "blacker than black" satellite color.) In this process, scientists establish a substrate, or base material, where the nanotubes grow. Silicon is a common substrate. Then, a catalyst helps the chemical reaction that grows the nanotubes. Iron is a common catalyst. Finally, the process requires a heated gas, blown over the substrate and catalyst. The gas contains the carbon that grows into nanotubes.
Metal-based nanomaterials
Metal-based nanomaterials include gold nanoparticles and quantum dots.
Quantum dots are synthesized using different methods. In one method, small crystals of two different elements are formed under high temperatures. By controlling the temperature and other conditions, the size of the nanometer- scale crystals can be carefully controlled. The size is what determines the fluorescent color. These nanocrystals are quantum dots—tiny semiconductors —suspended in a solution.
Dendrimers
Dendrimers are complex nanoparticles built from linked, branched units. Each dendrimer has three sections: a core, an inner shell, and an outer shell. In addition, each dendrimer has branched ends. Each part of a dendrimer—its core, inner shell, outer shell, and branched ends—can be designed to perform a specific chemical function.
Dendrimers can be fabricated either from the core outward (divergent
method) or from the outer shell inward (convergent method).
Like buckyballs and some other nanomaterials, dendrimers have strong, cage- like cavities in their structure. Scientists and researchers are experimenting with dendrimers as multi-functional drug-delivery methods. A single dendrimer, for example, may deliver a drug to a specific cell, and also trace that drug's impact on the surrounding tissue.
Nanocomposites
Nanocomposites combine nanomaterials with other nanomaterials, or with
larger, bulk materials. There are three main types of nanocomposites: nanoceramic matrix composites (NCMCs), metal matrix composites (MMCs), and polymer matrix composites (PMCs).
NCMCs, sometimes called nanoclays, are often used to coat packing materials. They strengthen the material’s heat resistance and flame-retardant properties.
MMCs are stronger and lighter than bulk metals. MMCs may be used to reduce heat in computer "server farms" or build vehicles light enough to airlift.
Industrial plastics are often composed of PMCs. One promising area of
nanomedical research is creating PMC "tissue scaffolding." Tissue scaffolds are nanostructures that provide a frame around which tissue, such as an organ or skin, can be grown. This could revolutionize the treatment of burn injuries and organ loss.
Application of nanotechnology
Nanomaterials can be used in different applications such as in medicine,
electronic device, sunscreens, military applications, photovoltaic cells, paints, catalysts, etc.
Nanoparticles are now being used in the manufacture of: scratchproof
eyeglasses, crack- resistant paints,anti-graffiti coatings for walls, transparent sunscreens, stain-repellent fabrics, self-cleaning windows and ceramic coatings for solar cells. Techniques of nanoparticle synthesis There are two general methods of nanoparticle synthesis: top-down method and bottom-up method
Top-down method In the top-down method, the larger compounds are broke down into nano-scaled materials using mechanical and chemical forces. Mechanical milling, lithography, electrospinning, etching, sputtering, laser ablation is the most common top-down approaches to nanoparticle synthesis.
Bottom-up method The bottom-up method is to synthesize the nanomaterial from atomic or molecular species via various processes. Chemical vapor deposition, sol- gel, solvothermal and hydrothermal method, reverse micelle methods are different methods used for nanoparticle preparation. Waste management Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process and waste-related laws, technologies, economic mechanisms. Waste can be solid, liquid, or gases and each type has different methods of disposal and management. Waste management deals with all types of waste, including industrial, biological, household, municipal, organic, biomedical, radioactive wastes. In some cases, waste can pose a threat to human health.
Sustainable packaging
Sustainable packaging is packaging that produces the most negligible impact
on the natural environment. Sustainable packaging is any type of eco-friendly material used to wrap, store, ship or shelve products. Eco-friendly packaging includes recyclable materials, such as PET or HDPE plastic, cardboard and paper wrappings. These materials, once sorted correctly for recycling, can be shredded, pulped, or melted down and remolded to begin anew as raw material for new packaging or other uses. Other eco-friendly materials, such as industrially compostable PLA (starch) and cellulose-based materials, are used for sustainable packaging because they have similar characteristics to plastic, but will biodegrade in compost. Carbon footprint A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. Carbon footprint has a negative impact on the environment in multiple ways: It is the main cause of human-induced climate change, it contributes to urban air pollution, it leads to toxic acid rain, it adds to coastal and ocean acidification, and it worsens the melting of glaciers and polar ice.
COMPASS COMPASS (Comparative Packaging Assessment) is a cloud-based streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) solution tailored for packaging design evaluations. COMPASS is a design assessment software that compares the environmental impacts of packaging. With this tool, companies can determine the sustainability of a packaging product based on three pillars: recyclability, circularity and environmental impact.
COMPASS was conceived, funded and launched by the SPC (sustainable
packaging coalition) in 2006.
Cross functional team from brand manufacturers, packaging suppliers, retailers
and LCA professionals defined the COMPASS methodology.
