Nanotechnology: Applications, Impacts, Challenges, and Trends

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Nanotechnology Applications, Impacts,
Challenges, and Trends

• Joe Kostkowski
• Dan McDonald
• April 29, 2005

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Applications and Impacts
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Applications and ImpactsEnergy

• energy efficiency and supply
• provide food and water worldwide
• dwindling fossil-fuel reserves
• solar power
• Batteries
• nanotube technology

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Applications and ImpactsEnvironment and Health

• environmental protection
• source reduction
• manufacturing process
• raw materials
• As we enter the 21st century, nanotechnology
  will have a major impact on the health, wealth
  and security of the worlds people that will be
  at least as significant in this century as
  antibiotics, the integrated circuit, and man-made
  polymers.
• -Interagency Working Group on Nanoscience,
  Engineering and Technology Report (1999)

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Applications and ImpactsDefense

• Smart Uniforms
• Self-contained computer network
• Lighter, more durable body armor
• nanomuscle fibers to enhance a soldiers
  strength
• Nanomaterials in weapons
• Nanotechnology-based information systems

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Applications and ImpactsAerospace

• Size, weight, and power consumption are all
  critical factors
• Nanoelectronics
• Batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells

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Applications and ImpactsElectronics Industry

• Current lithography techniques have limitations
• Molecular electronics

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Applications and ImpactsSNAP

• Superlattice Nanowire Pattern Transfer
• Reliably creates small features cheaper than
  E-beam lithography

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Trends
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TrendsEnergy, Environment and Health

• renewable energies - Consumption, Dependence

• Liability Trust, wow to yuck trajectory

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TrendsAutomotive Industry

• Trends in safety and efficiency
• Nanomaterials in catalytic converters
• Fuel additives to increase fuel efficiency
• Lightweight materials

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TrendsIntellectual Property Rights

• Rapidly increasing number of patents containing
  nano
• Patent Office must protect intellectual property
  rights with-out stifling creativity

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Challenges
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ChallengesEnergy

• Research to consumers
• demand
• Clear schedule
• dot-com explosion
• Biotechnology
• Military
• Battery packs

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ChallengesElectronics

• Will nanowires or carbon nanotubes appear in
  next-generation transistors?
• CNTs
• Good performance
• High carrier mobility
• Nanowires
• Can be doped for specific applications

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ChallengesEnvironment and Health

• flow of nanoparticles into the environment
• quantum dots
• Bioaccumulation
• exposure to nanopollution
• inhalation, dermal, eye, and oral
• Examples
• Titanium Dioxide, Carbon Black, and Diesel
  particles
• Societal Activities
• transportation, urban development and information
  management

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ChallengesEthical Issues

• Will nanotechnology live up to the hype?
• Grey goo theory
• Ill-defined boundaries of nanotechnology will
  make regulation difficult

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Questions?