Nanotechnology in Greening the
Industry
Ajith de Alwis
Sri Lanka Institute of
Nanotechnology
University of Moratuwa
Today we are heading for
another industrial revolution
Nanotechnology
Understand the Industry
Pollution is Inefficiency
PROCESS
(Any Activity)
Nanotechnology for Environment with nano iron
Remediation of Groundwater
Environmental
Science & Technology
Wei-xian Zhang, Lehigh
Organic solvents (TCE, PCE)
Pesticides (DDT, lindane)
Fertilizers (nitrate)
Heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cr, As)
Explosives (TNT, RDX)
Radioactive materials (U)
Perchlorate (ClO4-)
TCE reduction with nano Iron
•Oxidation of pollutant enhanced by
coupling with (Fe/Pd)* on the nanoscale.
Environmental
Nanotechnology
PUBLISHED BY
THE AMERICAN
CHEMICAL SOCIETY
•Smaller size makes it more flexible -penetrates difficult to access areas.
R
m g T C E /m g F e/hr
1 mm
0.000186
1 µm
0.186
100 nm
1.86 (~0.16 lab)
1 nm
186
Layered Double Hydroxide / Anionic clay
Disruptive – Breakthrough Innovations
Show and Tell …
Five Nano Material Platforms

Ilmenite – Pulmoddai

Nano TiO2

Clay – Murunkan

Nano Clay (MMT)

Magnetite – Mathale.

Nano Magnetite

1 patent filed
Murunkan
Pulmoddai
Kahatagaha
Mathale
Bogala

Vein Quartz – Mathale, Ratnapura

Nano Silica

Vein Graphite – Bogala, Kahatagaha

Nano Graphite

1 patent filed
Ratnapura
11
SOLAR POWERED MODEL CATAMARAN SAIL BOAT
Greening Fertilization
(more from less and much less to pollute)
(Nilwala et al., 2010)
Hydrophobicity
Effect
Nanolubricants
Imp engine life
Saving emissions
Improving fuel efficiency
Source : www.nanotecproject.org (as at 30/08/2011)
www.nanotecproject.org
Green Nanotechnology
Sustainable
Nanotechnology
Two Main Intentions of GNT
• Creating products without harm to
environment and human health
• Creating products to solve environmental
issues (in the broadest possible manner)
Nanomaterials
Nanoservices
Nanointegrated
Manufacturing
Understand Scale UP Challenge!
Ensure that national resource bases
are protected and nurtured to enable
Sri Lanka to benefit from new
developments
Engage with the mindset of
‘End-in-Mind’
Paradigm Shift needed …..