The Birth of Nanotechnology

The idea of nanotechnology was first introduced in a lecture titled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” by physicist Richard Feynman in 1959. However, the term "nanotechnology" was coined by Professor Norio Taniguchi. In 1981, the groundbreaking invention of the scanning tunneling microscope allowed us to visualize individual atoms. This, along with the invention of the atomic force microscope (AFM), laid the foundation for nanotechnology to take flight. Today, nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that brings together various streams of engineering and science.

The Widespread Applications of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology has found its way into various fields today. Let's take a look at some of the ways in which nanotechnology is being used.

Electronics

• Nano-RAM: This is a type of non-volatile RAM (Random Access Memory) that is based on carbon nanotubes deposited on a chip-like substrate. The small size of these components allows for the creation of very high-density memories.
• Nano optomechanical SRAM (Static RAM): This technology offers faster read/write times compared to traditional MEMS memory. Additionally, the processes occur without interference, further reducing time when compared to traditional electrically enabled SRAM.

Healthcare and Medicine

• Nanotech detectors for early detection of diseases
• Nanochips for monitoring cholesterol levels in the body
• Nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in chemotherapy and other treatments
• Diabetic pads for monitoring and regulating blood sugar levels
• Nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain – for the therapeutic treatment of neurological disorders
• Nanosponges – polymer nanoparticles coated with a red blood cell membrane, can be used for absorbing toxins and removing them from the bloodstream
• NanoFlares – used for detection of cancer cells in the bloodstream
• Nanopores – use in making DNA sequencing more efficient.

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Energy

• Solar paints or photovoltaic paints – can replace solar panels. Applying solar paints to any surface will enable it to capture energy from the sun and transform it into electricity. This can be used in houses and cars.
• Wind power generations – nanogenerators – these are flexible thin sheets which when bent can generate potential power.
• Nanobatteries – these are used to help rechargeable lithium-ion batteries last longer.

Agriculture and Food

• Nano fertilizers
• Hybrid polymers are used in packaging and to reduce spoilage
• Sensors for food-borne pathogens
• Nanoemulsions – to reduce bacteria on produce
• Nanoparticles based on titanium dioxide – used as antimicrobial agents

The Progress of Nanotechnology in India

The journey of nanotechnology in India began in 2001 with the establishment of the NanoScience and Technology Initiative with an initial funding of Rs. 60 crores. In 2007, the Government of India launched a 5-year program called Nano Mission , with a budget of Rs 1,000 crores. This mission was more comprehensive in its objectives and had significantly larger funding. The mission involved various fields such as basic research in nanotechnology, infrastructure development, human resources development, and global collaboration. Several institutions and departments, including the Department of IT, DRDO , Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), were involved in the mission. National Centers for Nanofabrication and Nanoelectronics were established in both IIT Bombay and IISC Bangalore.

The Impact of these Initiatives

• India has published over 23,000 papers in nanoscience.
• In 2018, India ranked 3rd in the number of papers published, trailing only the USA and China.
• A considerable number of patent applications have been filed in this field.

Challenges and Concerns

• India's spending on nanotechnology is only a fraction of what countries like the USA, China, and Japan invest.
• The quality of research needs significant improvement. Only a small percentage of papers from India are featured in the top 1% of publications.
• Only 0.2% of the patents filed in the US Patent Office are from India in this field.
• There are very few students who choose to specialize in this field.
• The Ministry of HRD has set a target of 10,000 PhDs in nanotechnology per year.
• The private sector's contribution in this domain is minimal. Despite the significant potential, the private sector has yet to show great enthusiasm.
  • Potential opportunities:
    1. A team from IIT Madras used nanotechnology to purify arsenic-contaminated water.
    2. A team from IIT Delhi has developed a self-cleaning technology for use in the textile industry.

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