Nanotechnology
Science, Technology and Public Affairs
PAF 547
S. Tom Picraux
Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering
Fulton School of Engineering
picraux@asu.edu
Arizona State University
This presentation has 2 objectives:
- Overview the scientific basis of nanotechnology
- Highlight the government’s role and current public
policy issues in nanotechnology
Nanotechnology: a definition
— working with matter down to the molecular level to
create structures and devices ~1 to 100 nm in size with
fundamentally new organization, properties, and
performance
• takes us to the realm where the properties of materials are
dramatically different.
• demands new tools and new understanding.
• may hold the key to a 21st century industrial revolution.
What are the key challenges of nanoscale
science and technology?
Making nanomaterials
Self assembly, top down vs. bottom up
Characterizing nanostructures
Imaging and measuring small things
Understanding properties
“Nanoland” lies between macro world and
single atoms and molecules
Nanosystems integration & performance
- How do we assemble nanostructures into systems
(this is the high payoff area)
Self-Assembly:
Nature’s approach to nanotechnology
Photosynthesis centers
Living Cell Walls
• optical receptor molecules are precisely
aligned via spontaneous organization
• alignment promotes collection, storage,
and utilization of light energy
• “fluid” molecular arrays rearrange
in response to chemical stimuli
• changes in membrane structure
influence intercellular diffusion
3D molecular arrangements
promote resonant coupling.
Dynamic restructuring of molecular
arrays provides adaptive response.
How to build things at the nanoscale?
Conventional Machines
Build and assemble
Microelectronics
Top down - build in place
(m - mm)
Nanotechnology
Bottom up self assembled
(10 - 0.1 µm)
(1- 100 nm)
The Scale of Things – Nanometers and More
Things Natural
Things Manmade
10-2 m
Ant
~ 5 mm
Dust mite
200 mm
10-4 m
Red blood cells
with white cell
~ 2-5 mm
The Challenge
1,000,000 nanometers =
1 millimeter (mm)
MicroElectroMechanical
(MEMS) devices
10 -100 mm wide
0.1 mm
100 mm
O
-5
10 m
0.01 mm
10 mm
Infrared
Fly ash
~ 10-20 mm
Microworld
Human hair
~ 50-120 mm wide
Head of a pin
1-2 mm
Microwave
10-3 m
1 cm
10 mm
1,000 nanometers =
1 micrometer (mm)
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Zone plate x-ray “lens”
Outer ring spacing ~35 nm
Visible
10-6 m
Pollen grain
Red blood cells
P
O
~10 nm diameter
ATP synthase
0.1 mm
100 nm
Ultraviolet
Nanoworld
10-7 m
10-8 m
Fabricate and combine
nanoscale building
blocks to make useful
devices, e.g., a
photosynthetic reaction
center with integral
semiconductor storage.
0.01 mm
10 nm
Self-assembled,
Nature-inspired structure
Many 10s of nm
Nanotube electrode
10-9 m
Soft x-ray
1 nanometer (nm)
DNA
~2-1/2 nm diameter
Atoms of silicon
spacing ~tenths of nm
10-10 m
0.1 nm
Quantum corral of 48 iron atoms on copper surface
positioned one at a time with an STM tip
Corral diameter 14 nm
Carbon
buckyball
~1 nm
diameter
Carbon nanotube
~1.3 nm diameter
Office of Basic Energy Sciences
Office of Science, U.S. DOE
Nanomaterials: new physics and chemistry
revolutionizes materials performance
Single molecule
sensing
New phenomena associated with:
• Small size (e.g. quantized effects)
• Preponderance of surfaces
and interfaces
Lead to:
• New modes of electronic transport
• New chemical reactivities
• New mechanical properties
GPa strength from Ni
Al+O-im pl. Ni
5
Yield Strength
• Radical changes in collective
phenomena
6
4
3
2-nm Al2O3
particles
Type 440C
bearing steel
2
1
Ni
0
Practicing “alchemy” through structure
Carbon Nanotubes: example of extreme properties
The scale of nanostructures
Top down
armchair
(~200 nm)
zig-zag
Bottom up
(~1 nm)
Nanotubes for Electronics,
Scientific American, Dec. 2000
Why are nanomaterials attractive?
Information technology
Quantum electronics (logic, memory), magnetic memory, spintronics
Energy
Large scale, low cost nanoparticle-based solar energy collection
High efficiency solid state lighting
Health
In situ drug delivery
Diagnostics, active monitoring, performance enhancement
Environment
Low cost, nanosensor arrays for health, safety
Nanoparticle based waste destruction
Nanomanufacturing
Large area, bottom up assembly for low waste, energy efficient
manufacturing
Practical applications are at an early stage
The Top Ten Nanotech Products Of 2003
Robert Paull, The Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report, 12/29/03
1) High-Performance Ski Wax
2) Breathable Waterproof Ski Jacket
3) Wrinkle-Resistant, Stain-Repellent Threads
4) Deep-Penetrating Skin Cream
5) World's First OLED Digital Camera
6) Nanotech DVD and Book Collection
7) Performance Sunglasses
8) Nanocrystalline Sunscreen
9 & 10) High-Tech Tennis Rackets And Balls
It has been estimated that nanostructured
materials and processes can be expected to
have a market impact of over $340 billion
within a decade (Hitachi Research
Institute, 2001).
Public visibility is growing
Washington Post, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004
Nanotechnology and Society
• Are paradigm shifting consequences of nanotechnology
likely to occur?
• Are there areas where broad societal debate needs to
be carried out concurrent with research?
• What is the role of government?
• What are the responsibilities of scientists and
engineers?
Governments play a significant role in the development of Nanotech
National Nanotechnology Initiative
U.S. Funding
1000
Total 900
NNI 800
Funding 700
($M) 600
500
400
Pre-program
300
FY01 funding
200
100
0
FY01
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05 (req)
Fiscal Year
Worldwide nanotech funding ~$3.5B in FY03:
(Europe, Japan, US, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, …)
Nanotechnology cuts across a wide area of society
FY04 Funding by Agency
350
300
NNI 250
Funding
($M) 200
150
100
50
0
NSF
DOD
DOE
NIH
NIST NASA EPA Others
U.S. Government Agency
The enormous U.S. investment in nanotechnology is predicated
on economic competitiveness and societal impact
NNI Program Grand Challenges
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Nanostructured materials by design
Manufacturing at the nanoscale
Chemical-biological-radiological-explosive detection
Nanoscale instrumentation and metrology
Nano-electronics, photonics, and magnetics
Healthcare, therapeutics and diagnostics
Efficient energy conversion and storage
Microcraft and robotics
Nanoscale processes for environmental improvement
Governments respond to societal priorities and concerns
National Nanotechnology Bill
S189 signed Dec. 3, 2003
An authorization bill
Follows the NNI program directions
Emphasizes program:
- management
- coordination
- review/oversight
- and ethical, legal, environmental and societal concerns!
Specific societal-driven inclusions in the S189 Bill
The National Nanotechnology Bill creates:
American Nanotechnology Preparedness Center
1) “conduct, coordinate, collect, and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical,
environmental, educational, legal and workforce implications of
nanotechnology”
2) “identify anticipated issues related to the responsible research, development,
and application of nanotechnology, as well as provide recommendations for
preventing or addressing such issues”
Center for Nanomaterials Manufacturing
1) encourage, conduct, …. research on new manufacturing technologies for
materials, devices, and systems …
2) Develop mechanisms to transfer such manufacturing technologies to U.S.
industries
Nanotechnology and Society:
Nanoparticles – Potential Health Risks
• Properties change with size.
− Can some sizes + compositions have adverse health effects?
− Implications for gov’t regulatory system.
Same chemical, different forms: e.g., carbon black, diamond, buckyball, nanotube
Same chemical, different size: e.g. TiO2, quantum dots (CdS, CdSe)
• Can nanoscale particles cross biological barriers?
• What are our responsibilities and precautions?
− in the lab?
− in the factory or the environment?
− in consumer products?
Nanoscale Materials Categorizations
Naturally occurring “ultrafine particles”
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Virus – 10 to 60 nm
Bacteria – 30 to 10 µm
Dust from deserts - ~ 100 nm
Volcanic ash, Forest fire smoke
“Ultrafine particles” from established technologies or by
products of conventional Processes
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Combustion soot – 10 to 80 nm
Paint pigments – 80 to 100 nm
Welding fumes – 10 to 50 nm
Diesel exhaust particles – (Small mode) 7 to 40 nm
Carbon black for photocopier toner – 10 to 400 nm
Engineered nanoscale materials – “nanomaterials”
 Fullerenes – buckyballs – 1 nm: nanotubes – 1 to 5 nm x 10 µm
 Quantum dots for medical diagnosis– 5 to 20 nm
 Semiconductor wires for sensors – 10 to 100 nm diam. x 1 µm
NNI Clayton Teague presentation, 4/2/04
Some Initial Health Studies of Nanoparticles
• Lam et al. (2004) – washed 3 kinds of carbon nanotubes
into lungs of mice; all caused lung granulomas
• Dupont injected nanotubes into rat lungs; 15% died
(highest death rate seen in such studies)
• SMU – buckyballs cause extensive brain damage in fish
• Rice University – studies show nanoparticles
bioaccumulate in living tissues
Specific Federal Projects on Implications
NIH/ NIEHS – support of the new National Toxicology
Program, ~$3M multi-year project initiated in FY2004
 Studies to evaluate the toxic and carcinogenic potential of test
agents (quantum dots, nanotubes) in laboratory animals via
inhalation exposure
EPA – Impacts of manufactured nanomaterials on human
health and the environment, $4M in FY2004
 Toxicology of manufactured nanomaterials
 Fate, transport, and tranformation of manuf. Nanomaterials
 Human exposure and bioavailability
NNI Clayton Teague presentation, 4/2/04
Nanotechnology and Society: Public Debate
(continued)
Ubiquitous Nanosensors – Privacy of the
individual
• What if the walls have eyes and ears?
• What if sensors can be attached to me without my
knowledge?
• Is my health and genetic susceptibilities private
information?
Nanotechnology and Society: Public Debate
(continued)
“Bots” – Self replicating nanomachines
• Is it feasible?
• What previous experience can we draw upon?
• Is responsible action needed?
Nanotechnology and Society: Public Debate
(continued)
“NanoAssistors” – Human-machine interfaces
• Are human assistive devices for the disabled
appropriate nanotechnology to support?
• Should nanotechnology be used to enhance human
performance?
− for warfighters?
− for athletes?
− for my children?
• Who decides?