EMERGING TRENDS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

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1 International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET) ISSN (Print), ISSN (Online) Volume 1, Number 1, Sep - Oct (2010), pp IAEME, International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), IJECET I A E M E EMERGING TRENDS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ABSTRACT: BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING Ms.Kavita L.Awade Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Raigad Kavitaawade@hotmail.com This paper main objective is to introduce the different applications of nanotechnology. The introduction of Nanotechnology along with basic terms are included in the paper. The method of generation of nanomaterial like nanoparticals, Ultra nanoparticals, engineered nanoparticals and nanoaresol etc. is discussed. The potential of the nanotechnology in the field og biomedical is explained in detail with the help of nanorobots, etc is discussed in the paper. INTRODUCTION: Nanotechnology involves development of materials (and even complete systems) at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular levels in the dimension range of approximately nanometers. It is the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials, and devices. This technology has the ability to transform many industries and to be applied in many ways to areas ranging from medicine to manufacturing. What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter at nanometer-length* scales to produce new materials, structures, and devices. A technology is defined as Nanotechnology only if it involves all of the following: 1. Research and technology development involving structures with at least one dimension in the range of 1 to100 nanometers (nm), frequently with atomic/molecular precision 25

2 2. Creating and using structures, devices, and systems that have unique properties and functions because of their nanometer-scale dimensions 3. The ability to control or manipulate on the atomic scale Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that offers the potential for unprecedented advances in many diverse fields. The ability to manipulate matter at the atomic or molecular scale makes it possible to form new materials, structures, and devices that exploit the unique physical and chemical properties associated with nanometer-scale structures. The promise of Nanotechnology goes far beyond extending the use of current materials. New materials and devices with intricate and closely engineered structures will allow for (1) new directions in optics, electronics, and optoelectronics; (2) development of new medical imaging and treatment technologies; and (3) production of advanced materials with unique properties and high-efficiency energy storage and generation. Although Nanotechnology-based products are generally thought to be at the pre-competitive stage, an increasing number of products and materials are becoming commercially available. These include nanoscale powders, solutions, and suspensions of nanoscale materials as well as composite materials and devices having a nonstructural. *1 nanometer (nm) = 1 billionth of a meter (10-9 ). Nanoscale titanium dioxide, for instance, is finding uses in cosmetics, sun-block creams, and self-cleaning windows. And nanoscale silica is being used as filler in a range of products, including dental fillings. Recently, a number of new or improved consumer products using Nanotechnology have entered the market for example, stain and wrinkle-free fabrics incorporating nanowhiskers and longer-lasting tennis balls using butyl-rubber/nanoclay composites. METHOD OF GENERATION OF NANOPARTICALS: The power of Nanotechnology can be encapsulated in an apparently simple device called a nanofactory that may sit on your countertop or desktop. Packed with miniature chemical processors, computing, and robotics, it will produce a wide-range of items quickly, cleanly, and inexpensively, building products directly from blueprints. 26

3 Nanotechnology not only will allow making many high-quality products at very low cost, but it will allow making new nanofactories at the same low cost and at the same rapid speed. This unique ability to reproduce its own means of production is why nanotech is said to be an exponential technology. TERMINOLOGY A. Nanoparticles Nanoparticles are particles with diameters between 1 and 100 nm. Nanoparticles may be suspended in a gas, suspended in a liquid, or embedded in a matrix. B. Ultra fine particles The term ultra fine is frequently used in the context of nanometer-diameter particles that have not been intentionally produced but are the incidental products of processes involving combustion, welding fume, or diesel exhaust. C. Engineered nanoparticles Engineered nanoparticles are intentionally produced, engineered nanoparticles are designed with very specific properties, and collections of the particles in an aerosol, colloid, or powder will reflect these properties. D. Nanoaerosol A nanoaerosol is a collection of nanoparticles suspended in a gas. The particles may be present as discrete nanoparticles, or as agglomerates of nanoparticles. These agglomerates may have diameters larger than 100 nm. POTENTIAL CONCERN: Nanotechnology is an emerging field. As such, there are many uncertainties as to whether the unique properties of engineered nonmaterial also pose occupational health 27

4 risks. These uncertainties arise because the characteristics of nonmaterial may be different from those of the larger particles with the same chemical composition and because of gaps in knowledge about the factors that are essential for predicting health risks factors such as routes of exposure, movement of materials once they enter the body, and interaction of the materials with the body s biological systems. In the case of nonmaterial, the uncertainties are great. A. Exposure routes: The most common route of exposure to airborne particles in the workplace is by inhalation. Like deposition of other types of airborne particles, discrete nanoparticle deposition in the respiratory tract is determined by particle diameter. Agglomerates of nanoparticles will deposit according to the diameter of the agglomerate, not constituent nanoparticles. B. Effects Seen in Animal Studies: Experimental studies in rats have shown that at equivalent mass doses, tested insoluble ultra fine particles are more potent than larger particles of similar composition in causing pulmonary inflammation, tissue damage, and lung tumors. C. Observations from Epidemiological Studies Involving Fine and Ultra fine Particles Epidemiological studies in workers exposed to aerosols including fine and ultra fine particles have reported lung function decrements, adverse respiratory symptoms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibrosis. WORKING WITH ENGINEERED NANOMATERIALS: EXPOSURE CONTROL PROCEDURES A. Engineering controls In general, control techniques such as source enclosure and local exhaust ventilation systems should be effective for capturing airborne nanoparticles, based on what is known of nanoparticle motion and behavior in air. B. Dust collection efficiency of filters Current knowledge indicates that a well-designed exhaust ventilation system with a high- efficiency particulate air filter should effectively remove nanoparticles. 28

5 C. Work Practices The incorporation of good work practices in a risk management program can help to minimize worker exposure to nonmaterial. D. Respirators In the hierarchy of controls, respirators may be necessary when engineering and administrative controls do not adequately keep worker exposures to an airborne contaminant below a regulatory limit or an internal control target. APPLICATIONS: NANOROBOTS: Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the scale of a nanometer (10-9 meters) 1. Medical Applications Nano Alert Systems Nanobots would live in a person's bloodstream, and give an early alert to the individual's doctor should s/he contract some virus. -This is the most likely use of nanotechnology in near-future medicine, Fixed Function Prosthetic Nano Nanotech devices can also be implanted with a single fixed function, i.e for replacing some damaged or malfunctioning biological system like nano - restoring sight or hearing, generating insulin, etc. Nanobots could also be used one day to fight disease. They are small enough to destroy a virus, even to enter and repair a cell. It may in fact be possible for nanobots to create new tissue. Permanent Nanobot Defense System Disease would be handled before people have to suffer. Many lives could be saved. Immune systems could be constantly updated to new pathogen. 29

Related work Vasculoid is a rather futuristic medical appliance, It would line the interior of the blood vessels, taking over the transport function of the blood.

6 Related work Vasculoid is a rather futuristic medical appliance, It would line the interior of the blood vessels, taking over the transport function of the blood. In other words, it would replace the blood, but not replace the tubes. This should reduce blood borne infections and should eliminate metastasizing cancer. IMPLANTABLE DEVICS Retina Implants Retinal implants are in development to restore vision by electrically stimulating functional neurons in the retina One approach has been developed by various groups in an artificial retina implanted in the back of the retina. The artificial retina uses a miniature video camera. Surgicals Aids Surgical Robotics Robotic surgical systems are being developed to provide surgeons with unprecedented control over precision instruments. This is particularly useful for minimally invasive surgery. Instead of manipulating surgical instruments, surgeons use their thumbs and fingers to move joystick handles on a control console to maneuver two robot arms containing miniature instruments that are inserted into ports in the patient. DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS Genetic Testing: Nano and micro technologies provide new solutions for increasing the speed and accuracy of identifying genes and genetic materials for drug discovery and development. 30

Ultra-sensitive Labeling and Detection Technologies Several new technologies are being developed to improve the ability to label and detect unknown target genes.

7 Ultra-sensitive Labeling and Detection Technologies Several new technologies are being developed to improve the ability to label and detect unknown target genes. The device would circulate freely throughout the body, and would periodically sample its environment by determining whether the binding sites were or were not occupied. 2. Space Science Another avenue being investigated is a concept of nano robotics called "Swarms". Swarms are nano robots that act in unison. They will act as a flexible cloth like material; this cloth will be as strong as diamond. Smart cloth could be used in the astronaut s space suits. A.I computer capable of creating the science experiments needed reroute to its destination and capable of not only making changes in mission plans but creating even new experiments as they are needed or wanted. 3. Smart Materials One proposed application of MNT is the development of so-called smart materials. This term refers to any sort of material designed and engineered at the nanometer scale to perform a specific task, and encompasses a wide variety of possible commercial applications. 4. Utility Fog Another proposed application of nanotechnology involves utility fog in which a cloud of networked microscopic robots changes its shape and properties to form macroscopic objects and tools in accordance with software commands. Rather than 31

8 modify the current practices of consuming material goods in different forms, utility fog would simply replace most physical objects. 5. Phased-Array Optics Yet another proposed application would be phased-array optics (PAO). PAO would used the principle of phased-array millimeter technology but at optical wavelengths. This would permit the duplication of any sort of optical effect but virtually. CONCLUSION: While Nanotechnology is based in the research labs today, the advances made to date have illustrated the significant value this technology will bring. The enhanced characteristics of materials will allow us to create new and innovative devices to protect all of us from terrorism, both directly through safer construction designs and indirectly through intelligence and surveillance. With each passing day, the promise of Nanotechnology becomes increasingly apparent. There is a long way to go before the Nonmaterial production techniques can provide adequate supply of high quality materials at affordable prices. This is one technology that requires close monitoring to properly time the significant opportunities that will be created in it wake. REFERENCES There's plenty of room at the bottom, by Richard P. Feynman, is a classic 1959 article Molecular engineering: an approach to the development of general capabilities for molecular manipulation, by K. Eric Drexler Drexler and others have extended the ideas of molecular nanotechnology with two more books, Unbounding the Future: the Nanotechnology Revolution [10] and Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing, and Computation [11]. Other notable works in the same vein are Nanomedicine Vol. I and Vol. IIA by Robert Freitas and Kinematic Self-Replicating Machines [12] by Robert Freitas and Ralph Merkle. Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance Edited by BC Crandall offers interesting ideas for MNT applications. 32

The U.S. NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Program: Meeting the Challenge for a Safer Workplace

The U.S. NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Program: Meeting the Challenge for a Safer Workplace Charles L. Geraci, Jr., Ph.D., CIH Centers for Disease control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational