Nanobiotechnology

and Environment

By
MUHAMMAD SALMAN
M.Phil leading to PhD

National institute for Biotechnology and Genetic

Engineering, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN
Salman_amazai@yahoo.com
 Outline

 What is Nanotechnology?
 Biotechnology.
 Nanobiotechnology.
 Nano-materials.
 Characterization of Nano-materials.
 Nanobiotechnology and Environment.
 Applications.
 Nanotechnology
“The design, characterization, production
and application of structures, devices and
systems by controlling shape and size at
nanometer scales” (~ 10-9 meter).

OR
Research and technology development at
the atomic, molecular or macromolecular
levels, in the length scale of approximately
1 - 100 nanometer range.
 Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the integration of
natural sciences and engineering in
order to achieve the applications of
organisms, cells, part there of and
molecular analogue for productions
and services.
Nanobiotechnology
Applies the tools and processes of
nanofabrication to build devices for
studying biosystems or biomaterials.
 Description of Nanobiotechnology
Nanobiotechnology is an emerging field
 cells discovered 1665
 electron microscope 1950s
 Watson and Crick discover DNA double helix
1953
 Mapping of Human Genome 2003

Where is nanobiotechnology going? Applications?

 Cell structure and physiology
 Virus Detection
 Radiation/Chemotherapy
 Drug delivery
 Neurological functions of the brain
 Biomedical engineering research
 Study of molecular behavior
 Utilization of imaging devices
 Nano-materials
Nanostructure Size Example Material
or Application

Clusters, Radius: Insulators, semiconductors,

nanocrystals, quantum 1-10 nm metals, magnetic materials
dots

Other nanoparticles Radius: Ceramic oxides, Buckyballs

1-100 nm

Nanowires Diameter: Metals, semiconductors,

1-100 nm oxides, sulfides, nitrides

Nanotubes Diameter: Carbon, including fullerenes,

1-100 nm layered chalcogenides
 Characterization of Nanomaterials

There are several important tools to

characterize nonmaterial,
Nanobiotechnology is incomplete
without characterization.
Characterization Tools
 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

 Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

 Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

 Nanotechnology and the
Environment
 Nanotechnology has the potential
to substantially benefit
environmental quality and
sustainability through
 Pollution prevention

 Treatment

 Remediation
Nanotechnology for
pollution prevention

Synthetic or manufacturing
processes which can occur at
ambient temperature and
pressure.
Involved in making a
Use of non-toxic catalysts with manufacturing process
minimal production of resultant environmentally benign.
pollutants.
An environmentally benign
material or manufactured
Use of aqueous-based reactions. product that replaces toxic
substances or minimizes raw
materials.
 Treatment & Remediation
Iron Treatment Walls…

 Used in groundwater treatment for

End-of-pipe management many years.
 Iron chemically reduces organic and
and cleanup of pollution inorganic environmental contaminants.
 Currently involves granular or
“microscale” iron (≥ 50 mm or 50,000
nm).
and Nanotechnology
• Nanosized iron enhances the
reaction. Enhanced further by
coupling with other metals
(Fe/Pd)* on the nanoscale.
• Nano Fe0 is more reactive and
effective than the microscale.
• Smaller size makes it more
flexible penetrates difficult to
access areas.
 • Nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO)
“Sense and Shoot” Approach to “senses” organic pollutants
Pollution Treatment indicated by change in
visible emission signal.

• The ZnO “shoots” the

pollutants via photocatalytic
oxidation to form more
environmentally benign
compounds.

Sensing capability means that

the energy-consuming
oxidation stage only occurs
when the pollutants present.

Dual role of ZnO semicondouctor

film as a sensor and photocatalyst • Multifunctionality and
“smartness” is highly desirable
for environmental applications.
 Applications
Medicine
 Drug delivery system
 Antimicrobial agents and coating
 Agents in cancer therapy

Food and drinks

 package materials
 storage of life sensors
 Additives
 Clarification of fruit and juices
Green Manufacturing
 Atom-by-atom construction (less material waste)
 Elimination of waste products and streams for all types of
products by designing in pollution prevention at the
source using nanotechnologies
 Manufacture of nanomaterials themselves in a benign manner

Green Energy
 Solar and fuel cells that use nanomaterials
 Energy savings via light weight composites, embedded
systems