Nanotechnology-and-Climate-Change NSTP PDF

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Nanotechnology-and-Climate-Change NSTP...

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What are the latest developments about Nanotechnology and Climate Change? Nanotechnology deals with the creation and use of nanoscale-dimensional materials in various areas of life. Due to their Nano scale dimensions, nanoparticles have high surface-to - volume ratios and, thus, very precise properties. The key applications of nanotechnology are the production of novel methods for the manufacture of new products, the formulation of new chemicals and materials, and the replacement of the current generation of equipment with improved performance equipment, resulting in lower consumption of materials and resources and reduced harm to the environment, as well as the provision of improved performance equipment for the environment This chapter discusses the applications of nanotechnology in the fields of animal, environmental, nutritional, medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences, catalysis and remediation of the environment. The chapter offers explanations of the most recent nanotechnology applications that affect various aspects of human life. According to Wilson, Lauren (2018), the five latest advancenment in nanotechnology are: (1) Health and Drug Delivery, as he states that cancer patients have three treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. While the methods vary, the goal for the three treatment options is the same: eradicate the targeted cancer cells with minimal damage to normal tissue. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, “All three methods risk damage to normal tissue or incomplete eradication of the cancer.” For example, during chemotherapy, cytotoxic drugs are released to kill cancerous cells, but often kill healthy cells during the process. This process can result in side effects including hair loss, nausea, pain, nervous system effects, appetite loss and fatigue. Treatments and reactions vary from patient to patient, but these side effects are frequent and common in most cancer patients. Nanoparticles for chemotherapy drug carriers have made some of the greatest advancements in cancer treatment. By using nanocarriers to treat patients, treatments can focus on targeting cancerous cells and limit the damage to healthy cells. (2) Agriculture: Crop Protection and Livestock Productivity ,I n response to these growing population concerns, scientists in the nanotechnoloy and nanoagriculture fields are focused on determining how nanosized particles can increase crop and livestock productivity. While nanoagriculture is a more recent application of nanotechnology, the benefits are clear with its “potential to protect plants, monitor plant growth, detect plant and animal diseases, increase global food production, enhance food quality and reduce waste.” (Nanotechnology in Agri-Food Production) (3) According to the World Health Organisation, “2.6 billion people—half the developing world—lack even a simple ‘improved’ latrine and 1.1 billion people have no access to any type of improved drinking water.” This lack of access to clean, safe water poses dire health risks to much of the world’s population, including: death from diarrheal disease, schistosomiasis infection, and intestinal parasites. Scientists and engineers are focused on applying nanotechology to resolve these issues and make water safe and purified. (4) Diseases: Early Detection, Nanotechnology applications for early disease detection are gaining a significant amount of traction and attention. Essentially, scientists are exploring the use of nanoparticles to raise a warning or “biomarker” if a cancerous tumor or other disease is found. Since these nanoparticles carry several peptides, in theory, it should send numerous biomarkers to indicate that a disease is present. Early detection of diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer allows treatments and, potentially, a cure to begin sooner. Lastly, the (5) Energy Storage: Solar Power Solar power is the future of energy storage, but it comes with a hefty price tag. As of 2014, solar energy accounts for less than one percent of electricity in the United States and it

costs twice as much to produce compared to natural gas (National Center for Policy Analysis). Despite the costs associated with solar energy, the benefits are significant, including sustainability and low maintenance. In an effort to accelerate solar power advancements, researchers are applying nanotechnology to solar energy. For example, nanoparticles “have been shown to enhance the absorption of light, increase the conversation of light to electricity, and provide better thermal storage and transport (National Nanotechnology Initiative).” With these advancements, nanotechnology has the potential to improve solar energy efficiency and reduce costs. Also some of the latest developments about nanotechnology are: nanotech detector for heart attacks ,super flexible chips, creating biodegradable electrodes, silver nanoparticles, nanotech-powered breathalyzer, nano Particles, nano tubes, nano pores & quantum dots. In addition terms of how nanotechnology helps climate change: By saving raw materials , energy and water, as well as reducing greenhouse gases and hazardous waste, nanotechnological products , processes and applications are expected to contribute significantly to environmental and climate security. Politicians recognize that the world needs to do something to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, or it will have drastic implications for our earth. Add to this the concerns about supply security in many countries, whether for Middle East oil or Russia's gas, and the demand from China , India and other rapidly developing economies, and the argument for other non-polluting energy sources becomes overwhelming. The problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change does not have a single solution. It would all be important to cut demand, increase productivity and grow lowcarbon energy forms. Nanotechnology, however, can help to increase performance in combination with many other technologies and introduce new energy sources to the market. For the international Nano science and technology community, this represents an immense opportunity. Overall, by minimizing / eliminating fossil fuels, reducing energy use, and increasing the performance of current technologies, nanotechnology solves the global warming problem. The only solution available at our disposal is to use renewable energy sources. In order to ultimately fully exploit the specific quantum and surface phenomena that matter exhibits at the nanoscale, nanotechnology is important because it enhances existing industrial processes, materials and applications by scaling them down to the nanoscale....