Post on 28-Jun-2015
description
A Greener Wor ld V ia Nanotechnology
Increasing World Population: Currently 6.8 billion as of April 2010
Projected to be 9 billion by 2050
Malthus TheoryStated that population would eventually outgrow its ability to
sustain life and could not produce at appropriate levels (agriculturally and economically)
Has been proven inaccurate through innovations and technology
But as population increases… Increasing Pollution Increasing Health HazardsDecreasing Natural Resources
Call 911!
Which brings us to our problem…
How will humans be able to support the world’s
population growth rate, provide all the necessities required
for life, and not destroy the earth (or each other) in the in
the process?
…and our potential solution…
Nanotechnology
“Microscopic scale” manipulation of materials
Why It Is Important?
Increased strength
Better performance
Intelligent materials
Shrinking stuff
SEE THE PICTURE BELOW?
One Strand of Hair = One Billion Nano-Particles!
Energy Consumer goods Agriculture Healthcare
Our Procedure: The Nano Pie
Energy
Currently30 billion tons of carbon dioxide emitted yearly
Average American emits ~50,000 pounds of CO2 each dayIn 2004, world required 220 million barrels of oil per day to
run the world (equal to 14.5 terawatts)
Terawatt = 1,000,000 megawatts
The Future of Energy ConsumptionEstimated that we will need 60
terawatts by 2050!Nanotechnology is giving alternatives
to burning fossil fuels (solar and wind)And nanotechnology is enhancing
current energy generation methods
Conventional Methods of Energy Generation 70% of all energy generated in the world was done so by the
use of nonrenewable energy
45% was generated by coal, 24% by natural gas, and 1% from petroleum
All three of above forms of electricity generation are done so using mechanical energy that forces an electrical generator to rotate (called turbines) through the use of heat, albeit burning the fossil fuel
Nanotechnology is helping increase the operation temperatures of materials, and reduces cracking
Solar Energy Generation of electricity from sunlight
(either direct or indirect)
Direct method is referred to as photovoltaic (PV)
PV panels collect the suns energy and transform it into usable electric current
Has evolved from powering watches and calculators into big business
Has doubled in energy production every two to three years
Nanotechnology helps efficiency through nanostructured anti-reflection layers which yield more light
Wind Energy Converting the earth’s atmospheric
movements into useful energy using wind turbines, wind mills, and wind pumps
Very clean, renewable, distributed across globe, but it is also aesthetically unappealing ,loud, require frequent maintenance, and energy generated must be taken immediately
Nanotechnology is helping reduce weight, improve strength, and shed lightning strikes, and coating which reduce mechanical noise and increase longevity of parts
Nano’s Energy
Consumer & Intermediate Goods
Batteries – Disposal Problems
Currently
Nano
Higher energy content
Higher rate of recharging
Currently
Most Laundry Detergents Contain Phosphates
Groundwater pollution - Hazardous
Dirt & Stain Resistant Cotton!
Nano
Self-Cleaning
Stretchable into Numerous Shapes
Solar Charging
Nokia Research Centers - Because the World is Flat!
Agriculture & Water
Biocides: Harmful to Humans and Animals
Skin disorders
Respiratory problems
Various types of cancer
Currently
Better Biocides:
Lower Chlorine Level
Less Volatile
More Effective
Nano
• Filtration Methods
• Ineffective
• Microscopic virus undetectable
• Polluted water not re-usable
Currently
Nano
More Precise Filtration
Less Costly
Faster
Before After
HEALTHCARE
Expensive procedures
Very invasive procedures
Medical waste Let’s explore!
Human Cell
Currently
HEALTHCARE SPIN-OFFS
Benefits to Cancer Treatment
Greater ability to target cancer cells
Reduction of harmful side effects
Earlier detection
Future possibility of prevention
Nano
Nanoshells
Attach to antibodies
Kill tumors with near-infrared light
Body Surveillance Systems
Detect cancer mutations in earliest stages
Nano
Improved Heart Disease Control
World-wide benefits
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Cardiovascular disease
New Diagnosis Tests Nano
Sleep disorders
In Vivo Diagnosis
Within the body
Real-time monitoring
Alert medics sooner
Drugs released by nanoparticles
Reduce energy from in-lab tests
Smaller, more effective cardiac instruments
Less medical waste
Robotic arms
Less invasive
Greater accuracy
Treatment
Nanoburrs target basement membrane
Treat damaged site Release drugs to prevent
additional plaque build-up Replace artificial stent Artificial arteries mimic real
arteries Minimizes more expensive
procedures
Prevention
In Vivo Sensors Constantly Monitor O2 Levels
Visualize Heart Movements
Respirocytes – Elimination of CPAP?
Sleep Apnea
FUTURE OF NANO
Stop illness before it occurs Eliminate need to travel for treatments Personalized medication Site-specific drug delivery Devices that supplement organs
Future of Nano
Major Players
United States highest growth Europe & Japan second highest U.S. government funding University research Pharmaceutical companies
Major Players
Conclusion
Exploiting Nano
Increased efficiency
Cost reduction
Affordable & accessible
Mass production
Marketed to the world
Limitations
Still in developmental stage
Extremely technical field
Uncertain risks
QUESTIONS?