Participent Name:-B.P.Kiran                                              Enrollment No:-0306NS315

Abstract:-

            Substantial benefits to environmental quality and sustainability through pollution prevention, treatment, remediation and information can be derived by harnessing the immense potential of nanotechnology (nano is Greek for dwarf). Such benefits include improved pollutant detection and removal, and the creation of novel green processes that minimize waste products.

            The interaction of nanomaterials with the environment is still largely unknown. Such interactions coupled with the increasing scale up of nanotechnology might increase environmental emissions which might result in the creation of a host of environmental problems. This article discusses the advantages and the pitfalls of nanotechnology from an environmental perspective.

Introduction:-

            Richard Feynmans vision [[i]] has now grown to such point that leadership in nanotechnology is considered to be central to the future growth and security of several countries including the USA. Recognizing its tremendous economic potential, initiatives such as the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) [[ii]] have been have been established in the USA to oversee research activities in this area. The estimated 2007 federal funding for nanotechnology is $ 1.2 billion [[iii]].

            Most of us have already encountered some likeness of nanotechnology, although perhaps unknowingly. The discovery that ancient glass artifacts (Figure 1) were colored by nanoscale silver and gold colloids seemingly suggests that there is nothing new under the sun. Similarly nanosized particles form the basis of catalysts in petrochemical and other industries. Nanoscale carbon and silver have also been used to improve mechanical properties in automobile tires and initiate photographic film development respectively. 

Figure 1: Lycurgus Cup Roman glass colored with nanoscale gold colloids [[i]]

Nanomaterials are materials having at least one dimension of 100 nm or less, and the capability of creating and manipulating such materials so as to maximize the exploitation of their unique chemical, physical, magnetic, and electrical properties is called nanotechnology.Nanoparticles behave neither like solids, liquids, nor gases. They are denizens of the realm of quantum physics and are small enough to escape the laws of Newtonian physics, thus allowing them to perform their almost magical feats of conductivity, reactivity, and optical sensitivity. Being in this quantum regime enables new properties to emerge that are not exhibited by those same materials when they are either much larger or smaller.The power of nanotechnology is such that either or all of the electronic, magnetic or mechanical properties (depending on the particle) [[i]] can be altered at the nanoscale. This revolutionary approach affects the infrastructure of consumer goods and materials usage, and has the potential to impact the environment, either positively or negatively. This article will elaborate on the specific areas of pollution prevention via green chemistry and green manufacturing, pollution treatment, remediation, and sensing. This article will also discuss the drawbacks that nanotechnology research has on the environment.