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Nanotechnology can be revolutionary in the development of ‘cleaner’ and ‘greener’ technologies. In this context, discuss the significance of Green Nanotechnology?
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Introduction:
Nanotechnology, popularly called as Nanotech, involves the manipulation of matter on atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scales. This includes particles of a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. Green nanotechnology refers to the use of nanotechnology to enhance the environmental sustainability of processes producing negative externalities. It also refers to the use of the products of nanotechnology to enhance sustainability. It includes making green nano-products and using nano-products in support of sustainability.
Body:
Significance of Green nanotechnology:
Green nanotechnology can help in keeping the environment cleaner and greener through the following possible strategies:
Cleaning pollution:
It can aid in cleaning up the existing pollution in the environment.
Example:
Fe i.e. Iron nanoparticles are known to cause digestion of organic pollutants from water, a process called bioremediation.
Sensors based on nanotechnology have the potential to detect, identify, filter and neutralize the dangerous chemical and biological agents in the air and soil.
Clean drinking water:
nanotechnology can aid in providing affordable, clean drinking water through easy detection of impurities and purification of water.
For example, A team from IIT Madras used nanotechnology to decontaminate arsenic from water.
Sustainable manufacturing process
It aids in improving upon the conventional manufacturing method in order to reduce pollution generated from the traditional method.
Example:
usage of silver nanoparticles as a catalyst, reduce the polluting byproduct in plastic and paint industries.
A team from IIT Delhi has engineered a self-cleaning technology to be used in the textile industry.
Alternate source of energy:
It assists in the development of alternate sources of energy which is more cost-effective and efficient.
Example:
CNT ( carbon nanotube) based windmills would be lighter and stronger. hence it will lead to increased energy production.
Graphene-based solar cells offer many advantages over the conventional one.
Iron nanoparticles would be used to make hydrogen fuel cells more effective.
Challenges involved in the implementation of nanotechnology:
India-specific challenges of Green Nanotechnology:
Meager Investment: India spends only a minuscule amount of money if compared with countries such as the USA, China, Japan, etc. on nanotechnology.
Poor quality of research: The quality of research needs to be improved significantly. As only a few papers from India figures in the top 1% of publications.
Fewer Patents: Only 0.2% of the patents filed in the US Patent Office are from India in this field.
Less student participation:
There are very few students who take up the field of nanotechnology due to less advancement in India.
The Ministry of Education has set the target number of PhDs in nanotechnology at 10000 per year.
Lower private participation: The contribution of the private sector is minimal in the field of nanotechnology. Despite the fact that there is a lot of potential, the private sector is yet to show tremendous enthusiasm.
Global Challenges in Green Nanotechnology:
The risk to the environment:
Nanotechnology might pose threat to the environment, health and other safety issues. However, as the technology is at the nascent stage the likely risk is contentious.
The regulatory authority like the UN environmental protection agency is assessing its risk.
The risk to human health: the particle size of nanoparticles is so small that it can easily enter the human body.
Lack of adequate research about the nanoparticles: the behaviour and properties of nanoparticles dependent upon their size, shape and surface reactivity. Thus they must be analyzed before launching into the market.
Conclusion:
Green Nanotechnology holds a lot of promises for a sustainable future and development. However, its risks must be thoroughly studied before developing any policy framework on nanotechnology.
Introduction:
Nanotechnology, popularly called as Nanotech, involves the manipulation of matter on atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scales. This includes particles of a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. Green nanotechnology refers to the use of nanotechnology to enhance the environmental sustainability of processes producing negative externalities. It also refers to the use of the products of nanotechnology to enhance sustainability. It includes making green nano-products and using nano-products in support of sustainability.
Body:
Significance of Green nanotechnology:
Green nanotechnology can help in keeping the environment cleaner and greener through the following possible strategies:
Cleaning pollution:
It can aid in cleaning up the existing pollution in the environment.
Example:
Fe i.e. Iron nanoparticles are known to cause digestion of organic pollutants from water, a process called bioremediation.
Sensors based on nanotechnology have the potential to detect, identify, filter and neutralize the dangerous chemical and biological agents in the air and soil.
Clean drinking water:
nanotechnology can aid in providing affordable, clean drinking water through easy detection of impurities and purification of water.
For example, A team from IIT Madras used nanotechnology to decontaminate arsenic from water.
Sustainable manufacturing process
It aids in improving upon the conventional manufacturing method in order to reduce pollution generated from the traditional method.
Example:
usage of silver nanoparticles as a catalyst, reduce the polluting byproduct in plastic and paint industries.
A team from IIT Delhi has engineered a self-cleaning technology to be used in the textile industry.
Alternate source of energy:
It assists in the development of alternate sources of energy which is more cost-effective and efficient.
Example:
CNT ( carbon nanotube) based windmills would be lighter and stronger. hence it will lead to increased energy production.
Graphene-based solar cells offer many advantages over the conventional one.
Iron nanoparticles would be used to make hydrogen fuel cells more effective.
Challenges involved in the implementation of nanotechnology:
India-specific challenges of Green Nanotechnology:
Meager Investment: India spends only a minuscule amount of money if compared with countries such as the USA, China, Japan, etc. on nanotechnology.
Poor quality of research: The quality of research needs to be improved significantly. As only a few papers from India figures in the top 1% of publications.
Fewer Patents: Only 0.2% of the patents filed in the US Patent Office are from India in this field.
Less student participation:
There are very few students who take up the field of nanotechnology due to less advancement in India.
The Ministry of Education has set the target number of PhDs in nanotechnology at 10000 per year.
Lower private participation: The contribution of the private sector is minimal in the field of nanotechnology. Despite the fact that there is a lot of potential, the private sector is yet to show tremendous enthusiasm.
Global Challenges in Green Nanotechnology:
The risk to the environment:
Nanotechnology might pose threat to the environment, health and other safety issues. However, as the technology is at the nascent stage the likely risk is contentious.
The regulatory authority like the UN environmental protection agency is assessing its risk.
The risk to human health: the particle size of nanoparticles is so small that it can easily enter the human body.
Lack of adequate research about the nanoparticles: the behaviour and properties of nanoparticles dependent upon their size, shape and surface reactivity. Thus they must be analyzed before launching into the market.
Conclusion:
Green Nanotechnology holds a lot of promises for a sustainable future and development. However, its risks must be thoroughly studied before developing any policy framework on nanotechnology.
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