Nanoscience in the
Environment
From lakes to oceans, from air to
soil, from forests to deserts,
from farms to cities.
How can
small
science help us
protect such a big beautiful
world?
How Big Is Nano?
This is one
nanometer!
http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html
http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html
Environment
Nanotechnology is making significant improvements
in technologies for protecting the environment.
Nanoscale devices are being used for enhanced
sensing, treating and remediating environmental
contaminants.
Someday we may be able to prevent pollution
with the help of nanotechnology.
On the other hand, nanotechnology's unique
characteristics may also lead to unforeseen
environmental problems.
http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/environment/images/opener.jpg
Nanoscale Developments
in the Environment
1.
Nanosensors can be used to detect and
track pathogens (germs), contaminants,
nutrients, environmental characteristics
(light/dark, hot/cold, wet/dry), heavy
metals, particulates, and allergens.
Nanotools can track agricultural products
and improve their quality by detecting
pesticides, fertilizers, and biological events.
2. Veterinarians can use
gene insertion and gene
therapy.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2005/Nov/10/FPI511100313V2_b.jpg
http://europa.eu/abc/europein2005/photos/7.jpg
cmcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/webquest/sidelsky/dna75.jpg
Waste…
Not
3. Nanodevices can be used to extract
unwanted agricultural byproducts
from soil and water.
4. Nanocatalysts will bioprocess waste
into food, feed, industrial chemicals,
biofuels and energy. (Catalysts are
molecules that can quicken the pace
of a chemical reactions by factors of
billions. Additionally the benefit of
nanosized particles increases
the rate exponentially!)
http://images.pennnet.com/articles/cr/thm/th_0604cr_biosensor01.jpg
http://www.walesenvtrust.org.uk/uploaded_documents/736/cows_sm_4453.jpg
Clean
It Up!
5. Nano-filters and nano-bioreactor
can be used to study enzymes
and microbes in compost
systems.
Toxic Waste Cleanup
6. Trends in nanotechnology
can be utilized to clean up
toxic waste sites.
Researchers have
developed sponge-like
nanoporous materials that
will mop up pollutants in air
and water, and break
down noxious wastes
therefore reducing
greenhouse gases.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/img/nanop.jpg
Cleaner Water with
Nanotechnology
1. Nanotechnology can clean arsenic contaminated
drinking water cheaply and simply enough to use in
developing countries.
2. Researchers have developed nanocrystalline
photocatalysts that purify water by accelerating a
reaction that requires light. Nanoparticles use
sunlight to break down organic pollutants, such as
those in the oil industry. The performance of the
nanocrystals has improved as well as the ability to
recover them. Therefore they are more cost effective
than previous nanocrystals.
http://cohesion.rice.edu/CentersAndInst/CBEN/emplibrary/Rice%20NSEC%20EEC0647452%20Arsenic%20removal%20using%20nanorust%20(summary).pdf www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-05zg.html
http://filterwaterdirect.com/best_source_of_drinking_water
http://danielforsbakk.com/index.php?showimage=118
Nanochemicals and
Nanocatalysts
1. Nanochemicals and nanocatalysts can be used to
purify exhaust.
1. Researchers are working on a method to replace
expensive platinum in catalytic converters with
nickel.
2. Gold is an inactive atom, but when gold is less than
6 nanometers, it becomes an active catalyst,
helping oxygen combine with carbon monoxide to
make carbon dioxide.
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-05zg.html
So, Isn’t This Great
News?
1.
2.
3.
To summarize and elaborate
on positive points already
made which promote the
use of nanoparticles in the
environment Nanoparticles in nature can
be used to clean up polluted
environments by weakening
pollutants and hazardous
organisms in the ground, air
or water.
Pipes might be coated with
nanoparticles to weaken
pollutants as they pass
through.
Nanoparticles could also
monitor biochemical threats
which would increase public
safety.
But…
What might happen to the environment if they
get out of control? They could cause unexpected
and dangerous reactions in plants, animals or the
environment.
What is the cost to the environment when we
manufacture and use these nanomaterials and
techniques?
Environmental
Precautions
Technological advances
which benefit and protect
the environment are one
reason to invest in
nanotechnology research
related to the environment.
A second reason to invest in
nano-environmental
research is because of the
potential impact of
nanoparticles in the
environment.
Why Do Nanoparticles
Have a Greater Impact?
1. The amount of surface area of a
substance affects the interaction of
chemicals in that substance with the
environment. Smaller particles,
nanoparticles, would result in a great
deal of surface area. Thus there will be
a dramatic increase in the
interaction between that
substance and the
environment if its particle
size changes from macro
to micro to nano!
http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/~geograph/rainbow_falls.jpg
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/People-and-Society/Mysteries-and-Astrology/Magic/Tricks/Tricks-351.html
According to Professor Joel Pederson,
Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program,
UW-Madison, there are three main factors affecting
the impact of nanoparticles in an environment:
1. For a given amount of matter,
there’s a great deal more
surface area when the
paper/particles are smaller. To
illustrate the increased amount
of surface area when a material
is ‘nanosized’, take a piece of
paper and measure the
perimeter of the paper. Then
cut or tear the paper into
smaller and smaller pieces.
Calculate the total perimeter for
that amount of paper now.
Environmental Factors
2.
A second concern is that some core materials
of the nanoparticles can be toxic to the
environment.
3.
Nanoparticles are often coated with a different
material than the core. These coatings are
expected to interact with the environment. But
the core material may become exposed to the
environment when the coating is worn away. (In
the same way chocolate in an M&M is exposed
when the coating melts away on a hot day.) For
example, microscopic organisms, such as
daphnia in water, digest the coating and expel
the core material back into the environment.
3. Lastly, the environment itself affects the toxicity and
fate of the nanoparticles.
Soil, water or particles in the air can interact with
nanoparticles and affect what these particles become
and where they eventually end up.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pds-rings.seti.org/saturn/artwork/plate_07-med.gif&imgrefurl=http://pdsrings.seti.org/saturn/artwork/plate_07.html&h=349&w=350&sz=62&hl=en&start=21&tbnid=zXj2OuoVdvemoM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images
%3Fq%3Dparticle%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
http://www.magnecell.com/images/Nanoparticle.jpg
http://www.bokashi.co.nz/soil-enhance.htm
Evaluation Needed
Three main areas of nanoscience in the environment
need to be researched to evaluate the impact of
nanoparticles:
1. The appropriateness and effectiveness of
present plans to identify and manage
nanomaterials which have the greatest
risk to the environment.
2. Evaluate our ability to minimize hazards and
exposure to high-risk nanoparticles.
3. Evaluate present risk management plans
for all nanomaterials.
Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee on Technology, National Science And Technology Council, September 2006 report on Environmental, Ealth and
Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials.
Social, Environmental and
Ethical Concerns
1. Might these nanotechnology developments in the
environment infringe on human rights?
2. Could any of them decrease privacy of
individuals?
3. Could the use of nanotechnology have unwanted
and negative environmental effects?
4. What economic impact could the use of
nanotechnology in the environment have on
producers, consumers, and other industries? Might
they be negative or positive?
What About Your Rights?
If so, are these developments
more important than
•Your privacy?
•Your rights as a citizen?
•Your rights as a human being?
Are the answers somewhere in between?
Research Questions
To prepare for your presentation,
answer the following questions
using reference materials which
can include the websites linked
to this webquest:
1. What can be done to maximize the
chances that humans will benefit from,
rather than be harmed by, new
developments?
2. If we can develop these technologies,
should we? Why?
Environment Websites
These websites can help you find more information
on nanotechnology in the environment. The last link
connects you to general nanoscience sites.
http://cben.rice.edu
http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2006/02/a_call_for_more.html
http://watersecretsblog.com/archives/2006/11/index.html
http://scienceline.org/2006/09/22/env-cosier-nanotech/
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2007/2007-04-26-01.asp
http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2007/05/nanotechnology.html
http://www.nanocafes.org/environment
http://www.hpl.hp.com/environment/nanotechnology.html
http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?cat=82
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408132129.htm and/or do a search at
this site
http://www.blonnet.com/businessline/blnus/34065012.htm
http://www.smalltimes.com/Articles/stm_category_display.cfm?c=Envir&CatName=Enviro
nment http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=12723
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Nanotech/nanotech.htm
http://www.mos.org/topics/nanotech_and_nanomedicine
http://www.nano.gov/html/news/current.html
http://www.nano.gov/
http://www.safenano.org/
A Presentation from Cynthia Folsom Murphy and David Allen, University of Texas, October
4, 2004
Numerous nanoscience sites are linked here: Websites
More Help
If you would like help breaking down your
research into steps, click on the help button
for an outline.