Nanotechnology Tim Tice March 6, 2006

What is Nanotechnology? Two components of Nanotechnology Two components of Nanotechnology Processing and production on a scale of 1 – 100 nm Processing and production on a scale of 1 – 100 nm Molecular manipulation at an atomic scale Molecular manipulation at an atomic scale

Precursors to Nanotechnology “Microtechnology” has existed for decades “Microtechnology” has existed for decades Miniaturization of computers Miniaturization of computers Computer chips Computer chips Transistor density has doubled every 1.5 years since 1960 Transistor density has doubled every 1.5 years since 1960 Current chips contain about 50 million transistors Current chips contain about 50 million transistors Hard Drives Hard Drives Contain film layers designed to be 1nm ± 0.1 nm thick Contain film layers designed to be 1nm ± 0.1 nm thick CDs and DVDs CDs and DVDs Surface contains bumps and grooves on the order of several hunder nm Surface contains bumps and grooves on the order of several hunder nm Older records with grooves approximately 0.1 mm thick Older records with grooves approximately 0.1 mm thick This technology does not really involve atomic manipulation This technology does not really involve atomic manipulation

Molecular Machines Molecular machines are one of many areas of nanotechnology research Molecular machines are one of many areas of nanotechnology research Large Macromolecules which can be used as “assemblers” for other molecules Large Macromolecules which can be used as “assemblers” for other molecules Commonly produced in living cells using protein structures Commonly produced in living cells using protein structures Protein complex: ATP Synthase Protein complex: ATP Synthase

ATP Synthase ATP ATP Primary energy source for the cell Primary energy source for the cell ATP  ADP + P i ATP  ADP + P i ATP Synthase is one part of a complex system to regenerate ATP via the reverse reaction ATP Synthase is one part of a complex system to regenerate ATP via the reverse reaction

Macromolecule Design Protein chemistry is extremely promising based on studies of biochemical mechanisms Protein chemistry is extremely promising based on studies of biochemical mechanisms Many proteins can be synthesized using current technology Many proteins can be synthesized using current technology Could we design a complex molecule like this? Could we design a complex molecule like this?

Nanotech VS. Biotech Biotechnology Biotechnology Based on cellular mechanisms in living organisms Based on cellular mechanisms in living organisms Complex systems generally at the molecular scale Complex systems generally at the molecular scale Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Design of highly specialized molecules Design of highly specialized molecules Refers to all science relating to atomic scale manipulation Refers to all science relating to atomic scale manipulation In summary In summary Nanotechnology is more of a broad tool to be adapted to many fields of study including biotech Nanotechnology is more of a broad tool to be adapted to many fields of study including biotech

Carbon Nanotubes Carbon Nanotubes Carbon Nanotubes Variety of potential uses Variety of potential uses Nanowires for use in molecular electronics Nanowires for use in molecular electronics High strength materials High strength materials Properties vary drastically from tube to tube and with defects Properties vary drastically from tube to tube and with defects Modern production methods require Modern production methods require Highly controlled atmospheric conditions (Helium atmosphere) Highly controlled atmospheric conditions (Helium atmosphere) High temperatures (>600°C) High temperatures (>600°C) Low Pressure (≈500 Torr) Low Pressure (≈500 Torr) Metal catalysts (Vaporized with an electric arc) Metal catalysts (Vaporized with an electric arc)

Other current research Cheap durable solar cells Cheap durable solar cells New plastic solar cells could replace brittle silicon cells in 5 years New plastic solar cells could replace brittle silicon cells in 5 years Improved drug delivery systems Improved drug delivery systems Nanoscale particles are improving drug delivery by eliminating solvents and side effects Nanoscale particles are improving drug delivery by eliminating solvents and side effects Virus detection methods Virus detection methods Some viruses which previously took days to detect may now be able to be identified in hours Some viruses which previously took days to detect may now be able to be identified in hours

Research Funding

State of Nanotech Research Pre-competitive stage Pre-competitive stage Much of current research provides limited immediate application Much of current research provides limited immediate application Also facilitates more collaborative work due to lack of immediate commercial applications Also facilitates more collaborative work due to lack of immediate commercial applications Government funding is quickly increasing Government funding is quickly increasing 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act Will allow for $3.7 billion in research funding over 3 years starting in 2005 Will allow for $3.7 billion in research funding over 3 years starting in 2005 Unfortunately the broad definition of “nanotechnology” means this money will be spread over a huge range of applications Unfortunately the broad definition of “nanotechnology” means this money will be spread over a huge range of applications

The Future of Nanotechnology Great potential Great potential Huge obstacles Huge obstacles Difficult to predict when next breakthrough could come Difficult to predict when next breakthrough could come Requires funding but how much can we afford? Requires funding but how much can we afford? Is this funding being spent appropriately? Is this funding being spent appropriately? Are we making progress or just chasing a dream? Are we making progress or just chasing a dream? Is the right research receiving money? Is the right research receiving money? How much will this really change our lives and industry? How much will this really change our lives and industry?

Sources National Nanotechnology Initiative National Nanotechnology Initiative nd_1.html nd_1.html nd_1.html nd_1.html Investing in Nanotechnology, Chemical & Engineering News, 84(9), February 24, 2006 Investing in Nanotechnology, Chemical & Engineering News, 84(9), February 24, 2006