Imagination Moves Nanotechnology into the Forefront of Current Scientific Exploration

“What are nano-pants?” I asked a curious 11 year-old. 

“Very tiny pants?” she guessed.

Although her answer was technically incorrect in that nanotechnology will not shrink pants, her thinking was headed in the right direction. 

Nanotechnology involves the shrinking of scientific substances into the nanoscale (1 nm = 10^-9 m), and building substances at the atomic level to create new materials and devices, explained Beth Baumert, SCC Chemistry instructor.  “It is the study and control of matter on an atomic and/or molecular scale,” she said. 

As for the pants, they do exist.  Just ask SCC Computer Science instructor Gerald Thurman. 

What do nano-pants, the newest sunscreens, and cell phones have in common?  They are commercial products that include components or materials that are made of substances that have been reduced into the nanoscale in order to make the product better, more functional, or more appealing to the consumer.   

Many new sunscreens, for instance, are made with transparent zinc oxide, a substance that allows wearers to shield themselves from the sun while avoiding the pasty white nose effect made famous by local lifeguards.  Sunblock can now change from white to colorless when zinc oxide nanoparticles are used because the optical properties of the materials are altered as the size of particles change.  When they get smaller, they become transparent. 

Cell phone technology is in a daily state of change it seems, much of it involving nanotechnology.  Thurman describes a new product in development that is aided by nanotechnology – a ‘band-aid’ that is applied to a cell phone battery that will extend the life of the battery. 

“Eventually cell phones will become more computer-like, but the size needs to stay small,” he said.  “Nanotechnology will allow it to stay small,” explaining that current magnification technology allows computer scientists to burn more onto the silicon chip, although tomorrow’s technology will likely improve the process so that these effects can be maximized.

Many solar product companies are riding the nanotechnology bandwagon.  California-based Nanosolar is exploring new territory in its quest to deliver cost-effective solar electricity.  According to Thurman, current products include nano particle-based coatings in which the particles are charged by the sun’s rays.  The coatings can be used on houses and cars for starters, and if more energy is needed, additional coatings can be applied.

According to Baumert, nanotechnology has been around for many centuries -- used for beer-making, Egyptian enamels and stained-glass windows.  It was first mentioned by Richard Feynman in 1959.  He described a process by which the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules might be developed. 

SCC understands the significance of nanotechnology and has served as host for the Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster’s annual symposium for the past two years.  A nonprofit organization, the Cluster was formed to share technological advances and promote business development in the nanotechnology field.  Last year, over 340 people attended the symposium at SCC, many from around the world.

In 2007, the symposium’s keynote speaker, Wade Adams from Rice University--the leader in nanotechnology research, explained that nanotechnology will play a key role in solving the world’s energy problems.  “He said ‘become a scientist – save the world’,” recalled Thurman.

Nanotechnology is a diverse and multidisciplinary field.  It has wide-ranging applications, including medicine, electronics, and energy production.  According to Baumert, it has the potential to benefit everyone.

The commercial benefits include pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects, stain-resistant clothing (such as Thurman’s nano-pants), faster and more powerful computers (for complex operations such as weather prediction or modeling new electronic materials on an atomic scale), and the use of nano-composite fibers to strengthen sports equipment (such as in the bicycle used by Floyd Landis in the 2006 Tour de France).

The humanitarian benefits of nanotechnology include developing more efficient ways to produce energy--thus lowering its cost, removing toxins from waste streams through the use of filters made with nanoscale porous structures, creating more effective drug delivery, developing new cancer treatments, and making faster, cheaper medical diagnostic techniques.

Multiple academic disciplines are involved in the study and application of nanotechnology.  Chemistry works with fuel cells, surface reactions, and nanoparticles.  Computer Science works with new magnetic materials for computer hard drives and quantum-based computers.  Electrical Engineering works to make faster, smaller electronic devices.

Material Science and Engineering works with carbon nanotubes for strengthening materials, nanoparticles for more efficient solar cells, and biocompatible materials to make such devices as hip joints.  Medicine works with drug delivery systems and molecular self-assembly for producing pharmaceuticals.  Physics works with quantum dots.

Kyle Rawlings, physics professor at SCC, explains that quantum dots will allow us to manipulate natural substances so they can be programmable.  “What if I need… solar cells?” said Rawlings, explaining that any device or object we need can be created through these programmable substances.    

Scientists are now developing the tools to build quantum dots.  “The programmable quantum dots will tell atoms how to chemically bond to create whatever we need,” explained Rawlings.

The concept of quantum dots sounds like the stuff of modern science fiction, yet Rawlings explains that large research universities are currently in the process of working with claytronics, a form of quantum dots technology in which nanoscale robots become capable of self-assembly.  (www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcaqzOUv2Ao).

Where is nanotechnology headed and how fast is this science growing?  The 2008 budget for the US federal agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is nearly 1.5 billion dollars, noted Baumert.  The National Science Foundation predicts that nano-related goods and services could be a one-trillion dollar market by 2015, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in history.

SCC students will get to join the nanotech bandwagon by joining SCC’s Nano-newbies club (currently being formed).  For more information about the club, contact Gerald Thurman.

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Scottsdale, AZ (October 9, 2008)

About Scottsdale Community College:
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

Media contact:

Denise Kronsteiner

(480) 423-6567

denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu