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Day 50 – Q 4.What are the applications of nano-tubes? Discuss.

4. What are the applications of nano-tubes? Discuss. 

नैनो-ट्यूबों के अनुप्रयोग क्या हैं? चर्चा करें।

Synopsis:

Nanotechnology is the study of matter at a miniature level called the nano scale. A nano meter is equal to one billionth of a meter. Nanotechnology facilitates research on particles less than one billionth of a meter in diameter, and thus paves way to some amazing inventions and discoveries. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an allotrope of carbon- they are cylindrical hollow fibres, comprised of a single sheet of pure graphite (a hexagonal lattice of carbon), having a diameter of 0.7 to 50 nanometres with lengths generally in the range of 10’s of microns.

Application of Nanotechnology

Nano Medicine: Nano medicine is the medical application of Nano technology. Nano medicine ranges from medical application of Nano materials and biological devices to nano electronic bio sensors and future biological machines.

  • Drug delivery system
  • Diagnosis of diseases as well as DNA structural changes
  • Tissue engineering
  • In sensing the biological cells (Biosensors)
  • Nano robotics

Electricals: The electrical resistance of Nano tubes changes significantly when other molecules attach themselves to the carbon atom. Companies are using this property to develop sensors that can detect chemical vapors such as carbon monoxide or biological molecules.

IT and electronics: NT can be used to make tiny transistors of CNT which help in developing Nano circuits. This will lead to further miniaturization of computer making them even faster and compact the use of CNT will strongly increase the data storage density of hard disk.

Green energy: Light weight windmill blades made with an epoxy containing carbon Nano tubes. This increase the amount of electricity generates by each windmill.

Heavy Industry: Lighter and Stronger carbon NT (CNT) are of immence use to aircraft manufacturer leading to increase performance.

Pollution: Nano particles of iron oxide are extremely effective & binding & removing arsenic from ground water.

Environment: Nano filtration under NT can be helpful in waste water treatment, producing safe and clean drinking water. The extremely small size of pores enables filtration of bacteria, protozoa and other infectious agents. New antimicrobial coatings and dirt repellent plastic bags are a remarkable improvement in ensuring the safety & security of packaged foods.

Agriculture: The major role of NT enable devices will be the increased use of Nano sensors linked to GPS for real time monitoring Nano sensors distributed throughout the field where they can monitor soil condition, crop growth including rapid disease detection.

Space research uses: CNT can be used in making cost effective Nano satellites. Space craft due to use of lighten CNT becomes fuel efficient & size of equipment is reduced effectively than the existing one & thus enabling increased activity.

Packaging & food safety: NT will help to develop smart packaging to optimize product shelf life. Nano composite protein process could improve (food packaging by placing anti-microbial agents directly on the surface of coated film).

Pesticide Reduction: A cloth saturated with nano fibers slowly releases pesticides, eliminating need for additional spraying and reducing chemical leakage into the water supply.

Cosmetics industry: NT can be used in sun screen based cosmetics like using Nano particles of titanium oxides which impart long term stability & also protects from UV rays.

Conclusion:

Government has recognised the importance of nano technology and came up with The Nano Mission, which has been structured in a fashion so as to achieve synergy between the national research efforts of various agencies in Nano Science and Technology and launch new programmes in a concerted fashion. International collaborative research efforts will also be made wherever required.

Best Answer: Ankita Munshi

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