1. Nanotechnology
&
Its Industrial
Applications
Dr. Narendra Kumar Agnihotra
TCE QSTP-LLC, Doha, Qatar
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2. What is Nano?
 Greek word “Nano” means “Dwarf”
 1 Nanometer = 10-9 meter
 1 billion nanometers (nm) make one meter
 Virus are typically 75 times larger than a nm
 DNA molecule is roughly 1 – 2.5 nm wide
 Dimension of a small molecule like methane (CH4) ~ 0.5 nm
 One human hair is around 100 thousand times thicker
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3. Size Comparisons
Nanometer Scale
An atom's nucleus is much smaller ~ 0.00001 nm
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4. What is New in Nanotechnology ?
 Nanotechnology is Engineering with molecules and atoms
 Control / manipulation of materials on an atomic / molecular scale
- Normally dealing with sizes of 1 to 100 nanometers
- Fabrication of device / system within the nanometer length scale
 New behavior at nanoscale is not necessarily predictable from what
we know at macroscales
Unique Properties of
Nanoscale Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Physical
Chemical
Electrical
Mechanical
Optical
Magnetic
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5. How can we achieve nanoscale ?
Possibilities:
- Bottom Up Approach
- Top-down Approach
Device size (nm)
109
-
Nanotechnology: Selfassembly, Growth,
Precision engineering
100 -
Time
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6. Nanoscale ≈ High Surface Area
For example, 5 cubic centimeters
~1.7 cm per side
of material divided 24
times will produce 1 nanometer cubes and spread in a single layer could cover a
football field
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7. Size Dependence of Properties
• Delocalization of valence electrons can be extensive. The extent of delocalization
can vary with the size of the system
• Structure also changes with size
• The above two changes can lead to different physical and chemical properties,
depending on size
• Optical properties
• Bandgap (for semiconductors such as ZnO, CdS, and Si, bandgap
changes with size)
• Surface reactivity
• Specific heat
Nanocrystalline materials are higher than their bulk counterparts
Pd: 48%  from 25 to 37 J/mol.K at 250 K for 6 nm crystalline
Cu: 8.3%  from 24 to 26 J/mol.K at 250 K for 8 nm
Ru: 22%  from 23 to 28 J/mol.K at 250 K for 6 nm
• Melting point
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8. Gold Particles at Nano Scale
Well! . . . . strange things happen at the small scale – If you keep cutting
until the gold pieces are in the nanoscale range, they don‟t look gold
anymore… They look RED!
Smaller Size of Gold Particle
Melting point of Bulk gold 1064oC.
But, at nanoscale gold melts at 300oC !!!
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9. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)
 CNTs are a tubular form of carbon with diameter as small as 1 nm
Extraordinary properties:

Electrical conductivity higher than copper

Very high current carrying capacity
(107 - 109 A/cm2)

Young‟s modulus over 1 T Pa
 As

stiff as diamond
Tensile strength ~ 200 GPa
Double wall CNT
Single wall CNT
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10. Unexplained Properties
 Silver / gold nanoparticles are less effective as disinfectants in their bulk form
 Development of antibacterial, water purifiers, food / drink packaging materials
etc.
 “Swarna Bhasma” (gold ash) nourishes the body and cures psychic disorders,
apasmaram (epilepsy)
 Some scientist defined these effects as an
oligodynamic effect but, some mechanisms are not
appropriate to define the cause of antiviral and
antibacterial effects
Gold ash
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Silver nanoparticles
with water

11. Influence of Nanotechnology
„Surface science‟ is a mature science. But the application of
nanotechnology provides it with new directions and dimensions
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12. Evolution of Nanotechnology?
 1959…"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom"
 1974… Norio Taniguchi uses term “Nano-technology”
 1977… Prof. Eric Drexler originates Molecular
Nanotechnology concepts and later wrote a book
“Engines of Creation” in 1986
 1981… Invention of Scanning
Tunneling Microscopy
Dr. Gerd Binnig &
Dr. Heinrich at
Dr. Richard Feynman
IBM Zurich Research Lab
First breakthrough experiment
by IBM researcher Dr. Don Eigler
STM
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13. More Milestones………..
1985
Discovery of Fullerene, C60
Prof. Richard Smalley, Dr. Robert Curl & Dr. Harold
Kroto at Rice University
1986
Invention for Atomic Force
Microscope by Dr. Gerd Binnig
Fullerene, C60
1991
Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes
Japanese physicist Prof. Sumio Iijima
AFM
2005
Graphene, one-atom-thick planar sheets
Prof. Andre Geim and Dr. Konstantin Novoselov
Graphene
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14. Is Nanotechnology New ?
 Maya Blue (Maya civilization) AD 500
hybrid organic and inorganic pigment,
to decorate pots, sculpture, codices and panels.
 Combination of ingredientsIndigo plant and Palygorskite ore - circa150 - 200oC
 Chinese Porcelain known as famille rose contains
gold particles 20-60 nm size
Mural at Bonampak,
Chiapas, Mexico
 Gold salt with Tin Chloride
Porcelain Plates
Purple of Cassius
The Lycurgus Cup
in British Museum
The Lycurgus cup is dichroic;
- an opaque greenish-yellow tone,
- Light shines turns it into a ruby colour
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15. Wonders in Iron & Steel
Damascan knife / blade
Rustless Wonder
Smelted iron with tiny amount of foreign matter
(V, Cr, Mg, Co, Ni & some rare elements)
Gupta era Iron Pillar
(400-420 AD)
7 metres tall made of
98% pure wrought iron
Characteristic wavy pattern known as damask
Extraordinary mechanical properties
Exceptionally sharp cutting edge
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16. Applications of Nanotechnology
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17. Energy Industry
We need revolutionary breakthroughs in energy science & technology
Conventional Energy
Coal & Gas Based Power Plants
• Light weighted materials for turbine
• Ceramic and intermetallic nanocoatings
• Metallic components from corrosion
• Increase life of components
• Increasing the output
• Reducing the energy consumption
Energy distribution
High voltage transmission
• Nanofillers for electrical isolation systems
• Soft magnetic nano-materials for efficient
current transform
• CNT power lines ;Superconducting cables
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18. Alternative Energy
 Photovoltaic Solar Cells/Solar Thermal Energy
Nanomaterials, thin films, DSC, Concentrating solar cells
 Wind Energy
Nano-composite based Light weighted blades
 Geothermal
Nano coatings /composites for wear and
resistant drilling
 Biomass Energy
Nano catalysts/ sensors for optimum yield
 Hydrogen Generation
Nanocatalyst and new process Electrolysis,
Photo-catalytic, Biophotonic
 Fuel cells/Storage Batteries
Nano-optimized membranes/electrode,
Nano-porous,nanolayered structures
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19. Oil & Gas Industry
 Better Equipment
 Nanomaterials : Lighter, stronger, and more corrosion-resistant
structural materials in platforms for offshore drilling
 Graphene: Nano structured filters, Nano membranes; remove volatile
organic compounds from oil vapor and mercury from soil and water
 Smart Fluids/Nano fluids
 Properties can be changed by applying an electric field / magnetic field
 Improve properties of crude oil in the reservoir- density,
surface tension, reduce interfacial tension, viscosity etc
 Improved oil recovery (IOR)/EOR
 New Sensors for Improving Exploration
 Reliable/economical sensors from optical fibers for measuring
temperature, pressure, oil-flow rate and acoustic waves in oil wells
Explore more oil reserves
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20. Electronics & Communication Industry
 CNT quantum wire interconnects
 Diodes and transistors for computing
 Data Storage (Hard Disk, Flash drive etc)
 Capacitors
 Sensors
 Flat panel displays
 Wireless Technology
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21. Glass Industry
 TiO2 is used in nanoparticles form to coat glazing for sterilizing and anti-fouling
 Fire-protective glass, Smooth Rubbing, Anti-scratch , Anti-Fingerprint
 Thermochromic technologies
block light and heat coming in through windows
prevent UV rays
 Thin film coatings, to prevent visibility in night in building
 Electrochromic coatings, tungsten oxide; becoming more opaque when
applied voltage
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22. Building & Construction Industry
 Ceramic Coating (stainz-free/anti-microbial - water savings & hygienic)
 Humidity, high temp, dust damages the surface and paints, wall putty, coating
 Cement at nano scale reinforcement of concrete in batter way
 Nano Paints can protect the building for long period of time
 Water Proof Paints, Self-cleaning Building
 Anti-graffiti Paints
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Anti-graffiti
Paints

23. Transport Industry
 Nanotechnology will make transportation safer, faster and cheaper
 Anti fog Glasses for Aircraft, Ships & Cars
 Eco-friendly fuels (GTL)
 Less fuel consumption (fuel additives like CeO2)
 Nanographite, Nanosilica for rubber gasket /sealants
 Nano ceramic breaks are used for SUV vehicle
 Carbon black nanoparticles used as a filler to reinforce car tyres
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24. Natural Nano Products
Nature takes brittle materials, forms them together to make very strong
and beautiful products
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25. Textile Industry
Lotus Effect
 Stain-resistance fabrics
 Anti-bacterial fabrics
No body odor
No need to wash socks daily
 Heat resistive
Cool in summer and warm in
winter
 Wrinkle free textile
No need to iron
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Lotus leaf

26. Agriculture & Food Industry
 Genetically modified seeds
 Rapid disease detection
 Molecular treatment of diseases
 Improving nutrients /fertilizers for high yield
 Taste of peanut butter/mayonize is affected by particle size
 Extremely fine amorphous silica is added to control the ketchup flow
 Portable instruments for checking fat, Na, Allergic substance in food
 Smart packaging of food
 Nanocapsules food for Astronomers
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27. Sports Industry
 Thin, flexible and fracture-resistant and durable sports utilities
 Montreal Sports Oy developed new composite stick
 60 -70% better impact resistant than the traditional composite stick
Wilson Nano Tennis Racquet
- Made With Nanotechnology
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28. Cosmetic Industry
 Application of various personal care and cosmetics products, such
as sunscreens, anti-aging creams, toothpastes, hair care and perfumes
 Nano sized TiO2 and SiO2 have strong absorption of ultra violet rays
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29. Defense & Security Industry
 Highly sophisticated cameras/sensors/radar system technology
to capture abnormal activities at the border
 Fire resistant cloths, high quality bullet proof jackets
 Strong and Light weighted military vehicles
 Light weight sophisticated weapons, anti-missiles
 Lighter metals/composites artifacts to carry in the war zone
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30. Soft Lithography
Non-photolithographic strategy based on self-assembly and replica molding for
carrying out micro and nanofabrication
Technique : Replica molding , Embossing, Microcontact printing: transfers
pattern from the stamp at contact regions with the surface
Nanoimprint
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31. Biomedical Industry
 Drug delivery
- Targeted delivery, controlled release (either timed or in response to
an external signal)
 BioSenser
- Incorporating sensors would allow release of drugs
 Nano robot for Brain surgery
- for brain surgery
 Cancer Therapy
- Fe2O3 nanoparticles used for cancer treatment
Nano Robot s
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Cancer Cells

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