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More about Nanotechnology:
Physics,
biology and chemistry meet in nanotechnology.
Source: VDI-Technology Center, Future Technologies Division.
We are now at a threshold of a
revolution in the ways in which materials and products are created. This
has resulted from the convergence of the traditional fields of chemistry,
physics and biology to form the new field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology
is concerned with the fabrication and use of devices so small that the
convenient unit of measurement is the nanometer (a billionth of a meter).
At this very small scale the characteristics of individual molecules and
atoms in the material become more important than the material’s bulk properties
and thus new concepts need to be used. The theme of the field is “novel
performance through nanotechnology”.
We can define nanotechnology as “direct
control of materials and devices on a molecular and atomic scale”. Nanotechnology
covers a wide range including fabrication of functional nanostructures
with engineered properties, synthesis and processing of nanoparticles,
supramolecular chemistry, self assembly and replication techniques, sintering
of nanostructured metallic alloys, use of quantum effects, creation of
chemical and biological templates and sensors, surface modification and
films.
The opportunities for nanotechnology can be divided
into three main categories:
a)molecular engineering inspired by biology
The scale of living systems is in the
range from micrometers down to nanometers and it is possible to combine
biological units such as enzymes with manmade nanostructures. One of the
most significant impacts of nanotechnology is at the bio-inorganic
materials interface. By combining enzymes and silicon chips we can produce
biosensors. These could be implanted in humans or animals to monitor health
and to deliver corrective doses of drugs. They have the potential to produce
improved health care for humans at lower cost and to improve animal productivity.
Development of human biomedical replacements such as artificial skin,
‘smart bandages’, pacemakers, etc will also be dependent on nanotechnology.
Other applications of biosensors will be in environmental control
of food production and of water supplies.
b)electronic technology based on semiconductors
There is potential to increase the capacity
of microchips up to 1 billion bits of information per chip. However the
costs of production are increasing dramatically and there is intense
study around the world to determine the point in physical scaling where
it either becomes physically unfeasible or financially unattractive to
continue the trend towards reducing the size and increasing the complexity
of microchips. Research is focussing on the fabrication of electronic
structures on the nanometer scale based on entirely new physics. Devices
under development include lasers for optoelectronics, ultrafast switches,
memory storage devices for computers and, ultimately, devices controlled
by single electron events. These have the potential to revolutionise communications
and information technology with flow-on through all aspects of modern
life.
c)devices and processes
based on new materials
Creative materials and surface science
research is critical to further advancement of nanotechnology. One of
the interesting properties of materials such as metals and ceramics at
the nanometer size level is their very high surface area per unit volume
which has potential for speedingup catalytic reactions and biochemical
and pharmaceutical separations and improving the efficiency of many processes.
Such materials can be produced by either the ‘bottom-up’ approach, i.e.
building-up from individual atoms or molecules, or the ‘top-down’ approach,
i.e. breaking-up bulk materials into nanoparticles by mechanical milling
or nano-cutting. The bottom-up approach can produce films or clusters
for nanoscale devices while the top-down approach enables the fabrication
of micro-components with novel mechanical and magnetic properties by consolidation
of nanoparticles. Modification of surfaces to a depth of 1-100nm can lead
to significant changes in physical and chemical properties e.g. corrosion,
friction, and reactivity which would have major industrial applications.
Position Papers
There are 4 Position Papers prepared
for this study (see above for download). These papers provide valuable
background information for the Issues Paper, which highlight general issues
and cross-cutting themes. The 4 papers are on:
1.Nano - biosystems - Australia
2.Nano - electronics - Japan
3.Nano - photonics - Canada
4.Nano - structured materials - Chinese Taipei
Nano - biosystems: Australia
Author:
Dr Vijoleta Braach-Maksvytis
Senior Principle Research Scientist, Leader Nanoscience and Systems
Divisional Planner, CSIRO Telecommunications and Industrial Physics
PO Box 218 Lindfield NSW 2070, Australia
Nano - electronics: Japan
The authors of this paper, and their contributions, are:
(1) Device Scaling in Si VLSIs Field
Dr. Akira Toriumi, Professor, Department of Materials Science
Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo
(2) Compound Semiconductor Devices
Dr. Takuji Takahashi
Associate Professor, Department of Material and Life
Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo
(3) Future Electron Devices
Dr. Hiroshi Ishihara
Professor, Frontier Collaborative Research Center
Tokyo Institute of Technology
(4) Future Devices Based on New Principles
Dr. Toshiro Hiramoto
Associate Professor, VLSI Design and Education Center
Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo
(5) Future Technology
Dr. Yasuo Wada
Senior Research Scientist, Advanced Research Laboratory
Hitachi, Ltd.
Nano photonics: Canada
Author: National Research Council of Canada
Nano - structured materials: Chinese Taipei
Advisor:
Prof. Dr. Chung-Yuan Mou
Professor of Chemical Department, National Taiwan University
Authors:
Prof.Dr. Hsien-Chun Meng (Director General
of Science Technology Information Center STIC),
Dr. Fengtai Hwang (Post-Doctorate of STIC)
Dr. Antonio Balaguer (Post-Doctorate of STIC)
Dr. Hsu Yao (Post-Doctorate of STIC)
Ms. Ida Chen (Assistant Researcher)
Additional Paper
An additional paper on ‘Nanotechnology
- Issues for Developing Economies’ has been provided by the Philippines.
This topic was also discussed at a meeting on ‘Nanotechnology’ held at
Technomart IV in Suchow, China, from 21-25th September 01.
Authors:
Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit and Dr. Erwin P. Enriquez
Department of Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University
The Philippines
Issues Paper
This paper provides a general introduction
to the topic and draws on insights from the contributing papers to raise
cross-cutting issues such as nanomeasurement and standards, the need for
multi-disciplinary cooperation, and manufacturing challenges.
The Issues Paper lays the foundation for the discussions at the APEC-Wide
Experts Meeting.
Author:
Prof
Greg Tegart
Executive Advisor
APEC Center for Technology Foresight, Bangkok
Each APEC economy has been asked for
an economy paper, and although this may not be forthcoming from all, at
least all the economies attending the Experts Meeting should provide one.
These economy papers will be presented briefly by delegates at the Experts
Meeting. The economy papers should be absolutely not more than 2000
words (and less is welcome), and should cover the following areas:
- Investment in nanotechnology and contributory disciplines
(nanosystems science research, for example)
- Number of researchers involved
- Program areas / fields of study
- Future plans
- Local issues
Deadlines for
the Papers
1)Position Papers: 24 August 01
2)Additional Paper: Issues for Developing Economies: 24 August
3)Issues Paper: 30 September 01
4)Economy Papers: 29 October, if
possible (otherwise, at the Experts Meeting)
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