Abstract:

The purpose of this report is to evaluate Nanotechnology as an emerging technology through a

detailed and critical analysis. At first, a general introduction is presented for this technology,
followed by the market demand and funding for the Research and Development (R&D). This
report will also address the impact that this technology has on the public in their everyday lives
and how it is changing because of this technology. This leads to the implementation and future
researching areas of three big sectors, medical science, battery technology and military
application areas of Nanotechnology. To critically analyse, there are some risks that are created
because of this emerging technology which are stated and discussed. To conclude, there are some
suggestions of how nanotechnology can be used as improved future for technological industries.

1. Introduction:
The development of science and technology has moved beyond peoples imagination. Scientists
are now researching materials on their first degree of their atomic level where their properties
and functions are initiated. Nanotechnology is one of the most emerging technologies of the
recent period of science and technology. In the 21st century, nanotechnology has become
progressively important in almost every field such as medical, science, business. However,
putting nanotechnology in use has also some complications. For example, creating problems in
human health.

2. Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter in their atomic stage which is the control and use
of the tiny matters. The tiny matter is stated as nanoparticles which are measured in nanometres
(nm).One billionth of a meter (0.000 000 001m) is measured as a nanometre. Nanotechnology is
the technology that operates with the use and control of the structures that are 1-100 nanometres
in size. Some of these nanoparticles take place naturally, for instance in volcanic ash. Some
nanoparticles occur by natural causes for example, during the combustion of fuels. Although
many are constructed synthetically through design by scientists [2].
Nanotechnology is often called the trillion dollar market. The biggest funding of nanotechnology
came from materials ($340bn), Pharmaceuticals (180bn), electronics (300bn), transportation
(70bn), chemicals (180bn) and sustainability (100bn) [1]. To compete and develop new and
upgraded applications, the funding for nanotechnology is spreading increasing every year which
however is not possible with only hype and without implementation. Because of the beyond
microscopic size wise advantage and enables the engineers to create more advance and
sophisticated inventions, the demand of nanotechnology is increasing day by day. According to
Lux research, who have released a report on global funding which is on next generation Nano
based products, stated that the global funding for nanotechnology is increasing by 40-45%
every year. In 2010, the revenue from Nano enabled products was $339 billion in 2010 which
increases to $731 billion in 2012 and more than 1 trillion in 2013 [2]. Also, according to the
Global Nanotechnology Market Outlook 2022 the report says the global nanotechnology
market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 17.5% during 2016-2022 [3].

These huge investments on the research and development on nanotechnology has revolutionised
every sector of technology, such as information technology, energy, medical science, security and
many others. From everyday materials to sophisticated weaponry, people are getting benefits as a
result of Nano science. Nanoscale additives are used in baseball bats, helmets, luggage to make
them lightweight, and durable. Computer and camera displays as well as windows become
hydrophobic because of nanoscale films. Nano-engineered materials used in automotive products
such as battery systems allow for them to be high powered and low on cost. Invented nanoscale
transistors for memory chips are powerful, faster and energy efficient. Nanotechnology can be
used to drug delivery in medicine. It is also possible for Alzheimer's disease to be detected by
gold nanoparticles, even to spur the growth of nerve cells, nanotechnology can be used. The
implementation sectors are so vast that it can be said that nanotechnology is changing the way of
future technologies and people's everyday lives [10].

3. Medical Use:
It is possible to revolutionize the wide area of biotechnology and medical tools along with
procedures with Nanotechnology, this will help these areas to be more personalized, cheaper,
safer, and portable. [3]. One of the main uses of nanotechnology in medical science is to cure
cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, about 32.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer
worldwide and 1/3 of them will not survive. Also, globally, nearly 169.3 million years of hale
and hearty lives were lost because of cancer [4]. In January 2016, Ido Bachelet, who is the
professor of Bar-Ilan University of Israel, stated they are preparing for the first clinical trial of
nanoparticles which are efficient enough to fight cancerous cells [5]. If the trial becomes
successful and it makes into the market, then the huge number of cancer affected people can be
cured and aided. Along with the cure of the cancer cells, nanotechnology is also used in different
medical applications. An improved understanding of brain function, nanotechnology offers better
diagnosis and treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers
disease and Parkinsons disease [6]. Also extensive research is going to cure bacteria caused
diseases with the help of nanotechnology. Nanomedicine, which is a branch of nanotechnology,
can be used to cure diseases, repairing damaged tissues, bones, muscles and nerves. The field of
nanomedicine includes delivery systems for drug and gene therapy, body or organ imaging and
labelling with nanostructured materials, surgical tools, and smart Nano sensors with
communication capability, etc. Among these, DNA Nanowire is the best molecular electronic
device produced because it can store, process and provide information for growth and
maintenance of the living system [7].

4. Battery Technology:
The study of chemical processes which is the reason of the movement of electrons, is called
electrochemistry. This movement of electrons is called electricity, which is used in batteries. In
the 21st century, batteries are used in almost every technological application. Among batteries,
lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries can store same amount of power. However,
because of the longevity of lithium-ion batteries over the nickel-metal hydride, they are widely
used, but lithium-ion batteries take time to charge and also have some safety issues [1]. Because
of these problems, nanotechnology is implemented to overcome the charging capability. The
surface and size of batteries electrodes can be increased by Nanotechnology, and the rods inside
the batteries that take the energy. It does this by efficiently creating the electrodes sponge-like, so
that they can take more energy during charge timeline and thus expanding the energy storage
capacity [2]. Others have wanted to use different technologies and materials than using Nano
batteries, such lithium oxygen could contain 5- 10 times the energy than a lithium ion battery, but
there were some technical problems that made this difficult. The testing with the nanotechnology
implemented batteries was so successful that different industries and researchers of the
University of Michigan and MIT are concentrating on nanotechnology to improve lithium-ion
technology. Prochazka's battery company, which is one of the Czech nanotechnology companies,
are getting international interest because of their experimentations on batteries with
nanotechnology. A Chinese investor will finance a production facility of HE3DA with a primary
investment of about $62 million dollar. [3].

5. Military Use:
Military applications of nanotechnology are the first among other new technologies. The main
goals are to produce strong, multifunctional, lightweight materials for protection and
connectivity [1]. Every military personnel has to carry ~60Kg of load which are mainly
electronics devices used for communication. The goal of nanomaterials of military research is to
reduce it by 20Kg. Nanotechnology is also using to create weaponry which are compact,
powerful and using Nano metals to create chemical explosions higher than the conventional
weapons. Nanomaterials are also using to create strong armour, for example aluminium armour
combined with carbon nanotubes. Reactive nanoparticle armour and shock absorbing nanotubes
are reduced by radar absorption coating, composites which is developed by nanomaterials. To
make surface cover harder, and stealthier, nanoparticles are used widely now-a-days [2]. Also
Nano computers and Nano electronics with wireless communication abilities, known as
"surveillance dust" are used for data mining on the battlefield. Research about Medical implants,
creating bionic parts of the human body are conducting and showing great promises which will
be implemented in the near future [3].

6. Risks:
Nanotechnology is altering the course of understanding the technology and growing very rapidly
in various sectors, but working with the nanotechnology and using it has some risks. Some of
these risks include human health, privacy, and usability. Very tiny manufactured Nano-particles
which exist in the environment result in breathing disorders and other health problems.
Nanotechnology is the knowledge and application of smaller objects such as smaller, cheaper and
faster computers, video/audio camera. It will be easy to compile a huge database full of personal
and financial information [8]. Therefore stealing information will be easier and protect the
privacy will be difficult. Nanoscale destructive weapons will be a threat if it falls into wrong
hands. Some nanotech weapons like powerful aerospace weapons, and microscopic antipersonnel
devices, is a special cause of concern and must be carry out with care and responsibility [9].

7. Conclusion:
Among the other emerging technologies, Nanotechnology took the science and technology in
another era and advancing at a very fast rate. Every sector of these areas are revolutionising
because of the research and implementation of nanotechnology. From day to day materials to
military equipment, the number of implementation of nanomaterials are increasing. From
government to Nano based industries, funding a huge amount of money for more improvement
and research resulting in it growing every year. Although there are some health, privacy and
security risks that comes with this technology, if it can be controlled and individuals are educated
and understand the technology thoroughly, eventually it will result in the expansion of this
technology further, in order to have a greater impact on society.
 References:
National Nanotechnology Initiative. (2011). what is Nanotechnology. Available:
http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition. Last accessed 27th May 2016.