Nanotechnology for water purification

Water in Brazil.

About 1 of every 6 people around the world has no adequate access to water, and more than twice of that number lack basic sanitation, for which water is essential. Reading articles from few years back, there’s been different inventions to purify drinking water using nanotechnology. One of the ideas was the LifeSaver waterbottle, which uses nanotubes to filter out 99% of the bacteria and viruses to create safe and clean drinking water. 

Link to video explaining the water bottle:
https://vimeo.com/31513618




Lifesaver water bottle, clean water comes out from the bottles

The LifeSaver bottles are pressurized sealed united with a hand pump. Using the pump will force water through the pores of the filter and out through the nozzle to produce clean water. I thought about applying the same sort of concept, but in a bigger scale.

What if there are boats that are equipped with nanotube technology and while driving around the water, it is also cleaning water? 

Boats for cleaning large bodies of water?

There are oil spills and garbage and all kinds of bacteria in the water bodies around the world, what if we make use of the boats that drive around to filter and help clean the water? Using the technology of nanotubes, filtering out bacteria and harmful viruses, and hopefully good enough to filter out oil spills. The pressurized motor could possibly be built into the boat along with the motor that makes boats move? This would ideally work in countries where they have less access of clean water as well, such as cleaning up the lakes in Brazil. It would be a great to make use of the boats already roaming around the water, than having to install a new massive cleaning system to clean their lakes. 

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Citations: 

"Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology." Cleaning Our Water with Nanotechnology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

Gehrke, Ilka, Andreas Geiser, and Annette Somborn-Schulz. "Innovations in Nanotechnology for Water Treatment." Nanotechnology, Science and Applications. Dove Medical Press, 6 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

Berger, Michael. "Low-cost Nanotechnology Water Filter." Low-cost Nanotechnology Water Filter. N.p., 6 May 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

Gravotta, Luciana. "Cheap Nanotech Filter Clears Hazardous Microbes and Chemicals from Drinking Water." Scientific American. N.p., 7 May 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

"Nanotechnology for Water Purification." EurekAlert! N.p., 28 July 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

Nanotechnology in Cosmetics

This week reading about nanotechnology used in cosmetics, there are quite a few makeup products that are proven more effective with the help of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology solves two main problems associated with cosmetics, first is delivery. In order to get the best effects, nutrients and vitamins should be delivered to where it is needed the most. Conventional cosmetics lacks this property. Next is prolong effects, nanotechnology helps make the products lasts longer. Consumers are willing to pay higher price for something that lasts. 

The most common product in cosmetics that uses nanotechnology is sunscreens. The particles used in sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The use of these nanoparticles makes the sunscreen transparent and less greasy.

 

There are other cosmetics such as skin moisturizers, anti-wrinkle products, skin cleansers, and hair products that benefits from nanotechnology. 

My idea for this week is using these nanoparticles to target brown spots. Brown spots or Age spots are caused primarily by years of exposure to UV light from the sun. 

Nowadays there are laser technology to remove these age spots. But looking at the potential that nanotechnology has, I believe there is a way to incorporate nanoparticles that treat brown spots into every day night cream. So instead of having to get laser or other kinds of surgery, using the night cream every day will help lighten and make age spots disappear. I thought about this idea abacus age spots aren’t just the tiny layer on top of the skin, it penetrates deeply into the skin, and what the human eye can see from skin surface could just be quarter size of what is underneath the skin. Reading about the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics, it seems promising that by targeting brown spots and bringing the “medication” needed to lighten it directly to the problem area, the results will be less painful than laser surgery. 

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Citation:

WIJESENA, RUCHIRA. "Top FIVE Nanotechnology Cosmetic Products in the World." Ninithicom. N.p., 16 Aug. 2015. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

Ross-Fichtner, Robert, and Claire Robichaud. "Cosmetics & Toiletries." Nanotechnology: A Big Deal in a Small Package. N.p., 04 Mar. 2016. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

Prabhjeet001. "Nanotechnology Product - Best Nanotechnology-Powered Products List | Reviews and Comparison Guide." Nanotechnology Product. N.p., 18 Apr. 2015. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

"Age Spots (liver Spots)." Causes. N.p., 10 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

Schulman, Marcelo. "Next Generation Nanotechnology and Active Ingredients." Incosmetics News. N.p., 09 June 2015. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

Nanotechnology and Food Packaging

This week I read about possibilities of the use of nanotechnology in food packaging. Due to restrictions and regulations in the food industry, the use of nanotechnology is slow and limited. But the more I read about nanotechnology, the more I agree that it could change the food industry drastically. 

Food packaging right now is mainly in film made with flexible plastics, but over time oxygen could still go through the film and damage the food. Nanotechnology coating can be used in this case, to help create impermeable layers to protect the food. 

     Film plastic used to protect food. 

But more than just keeping the food fresh and making them last as long as possible, another possible use researchers are talking about is the use of “smart” packaging. The nanoparticles inside food packaging could potentially help control the environment inside food package, and alert consumers when the food is not safe to consume anymore. 

This made me think about a new use for nanoparticles in food packaging. We are used to storing all kinds of food in locked plastic boxes. What if the plastic food containers for food storage can be manufactured with nano particles within, and could indicate if the food has gone bad, or is going bad. Maybe the food container could change color to alert consumers. Even better, if the nanoparticles can be programed or made to detect different kinds of food, whether it’s cheese, fish, meat, and in order calculate longevity of edible time then users can feel safer. 

In the example below, researchers form the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Modular Solid State Technologies in Munich developed an inexpensive plastic film that will change color when the food is rotten. I believe this could be incorporated with food storage boxes. 

Plastic film that changes color when food has gone bad.  

      Food storage boxes. 

Citations: 

"In the Know...on Food Packaging." Nanotechnology in the Food Packaging Industry. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Ortiz, Christina. "Wait, There's Nanotech in My Food?" Popular Mechanics. N.p., 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Soutter, Will. "Nanotechnology in Food Packaging." AZoNano.com. N.p., 02 July 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

"EU Project Applies Nanotechnology to Food Packaging." EU Project Applies Nanotechnology to Food Packaging. N.p., 11 June 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

COXWORTH, BEN. "Inexpensive Plastic Developed That Indicates Freshness of Food." Inexpensive Plastic Developed That Indicates Freshness of Food. N.p., 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Nanotechnology and Tattoos

This week I read about “nano tattoos” that can help diabetics track their sugar levels. The glucose tattoo is made from fluorescent nanoparticle ink that is injected under the skin, and will reflect infrared light in response to glucose through a monitor worn over he skin. The ink would last about six months before it needs to be refreshed. 

After reading about how “nano tattoos” can help diabetics track their sugar levels. The idea I have is having nano tattoos monitor health of a person. It will monitor heart rate, temperature, and all the necessary data to predict and prevent illness. The tattoo could possibly predict someone’s health problems before symptoms appear, predict a baby’s cold before it gets worse, or even diagnose cancer early? 

After doing some research, there are recent articles about the use of this kind of technology. The software company Chaotic Moon has developed a “tech tattoo” that tracks a person’s financial and medical information. This tattoo monitors if a person is about to get sick. Instead of going to the doctor once a year for physical, the tattoo can monitor everything and sends the data to your doctor, if there’s anything wrong they could call you. 

This tattoo would also carry your financial information! “We carry wallets around and they are so vulnerable. With the tech tattoo you can carry all your information on your skin and when you want your credit card information or your ID, you can pull that up automatically through the system,” says Eric Schneider, company’s hardware creative technologist. 

Obviously, someone has thought of this sort of idea already, but what are can nanotechnology do to make this idea better? Even smaller electronics? Maybe it doesn’t even look like a “device” on your skin, the the photo from Chaotic Moon showed below. What if the tattoo can be invisible?  

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Citations 

Trafton, Anne. "'Tattoo' May Help Diabetics Track Their Blood Sugar." MIT News. N.p., 28 May 2010. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

Q, By Charles. "Needle-Free Tattoos Can Check Diabetics' Sugar Levels." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 22 Jan. 2015. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

"Seen At 11: Company Developing 'Tech Tattoos' So People Can Track Their Medical, Financial Info." CBS New York. N.p., 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

Devon, L.J. "Mark of the Medical Beast: 'Tech Tattoos' Will Store Your Personal Medical and Financial Information on a Microchip Embedded in Your Skin." NaturalNews. N.p., 19 Feb. 2016. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

"BIOWEARABLES: Tech Gets Skintimate | CHAOTIC MOON STUDIOS." CHAOTIC MOON STUDIOS. N.p., 24 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

Nanotechnology and Teeth cleaning!

After reading some articles about the Nanotechnology toothbrush developed by Japanese designer Kosho Ueshima with the tech firm Yume Shoknin, I started thinking about how nanotechology in cleaning can be applied to other things. 

This toothbrush called Misoka toothbrush has bristles that measure about 0.178 millimeters in thickness, and they are coated with nano-size mineral ions which helps scrub the teeth squeaky clean. The coins removes stains and forms a protective coating that makes it more difficult for plaque and other material to adhere to the enamel of teeth. This toothbrush supposedly is not intended to be used with toothpaste, just running water to activate it! 

A company called Nanofilm developed liquid with polymer molecules that align with each other, and when applied to surfaces like windshield, it bonds with glass and form thin film to protect from water, dirt, and also increases visibility. This type of film has even longer lifetime than conventional films. They have the same type of products for coating eyewear and electronic screens as well. 

Brushing your pet's teeth can be frustrating.

I think this cleaning and shielding property of nano-sized ions have potential to also be applied to pets teeth! For most owners, brushing their pet's teeth is a nightmare, dogs don’t like having a stick with bristles and paste being jammed in their mouth and moved around, let alone cats. But teeth hygiene is very important part of pet’s health. I think if there was a chew toy, that can be coated with the same nano-sized ion like the Misoka toothbrush, then the dogs’ teeth don’t even need to be manually brushed. While chewing on their toys, the dogs teeth are getting cleaned, and protected with a coating, there is no more hassle for teeth hygiene. 

Another use of nanotechnology in cleaning is in the soap that we use. Companies are looking to nanoparticles in soap that will clean and also substitute for some of the harmful ingredients found in soap. I believe we will be able to use nano particles for pets’ teeth hygiene. 

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Citation: 

Boysen, Earl. "Cleaning Products and Nanotechnology." Cleaning and Nanotechnology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Grozdanic, Lidija. "Never Buy Toothpaste Again with This Nanotech Toothbrush." Inhabitat. N.p., 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

CONRAD, HENRY. "Nanotech Toothbrush Means You Never Need Toothpaste Again." ZME Science. N.p., 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

"Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings." Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings. N.p., 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

Woodford, Chris. "Self-cleaning Windows." How Do Self-cleaning Windows Work? N.p., 14 Nov. 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Using nanotechnology to generate Electricity 

This week’s reading is about Nanotechnology and self-assembly. For this week, I propose using nanotechnology in creating more electricity. I think there could be a way to put nano particles in the asphalt concrete roads we drive on every day. Researchers have tried using sheets of nanotubes wrapped around hot pipes or such, to generate electricity from heat. I think utilizing such method, the asphalt concrete roads that are everywhere around the world, exposed to the sunlight most of the time, will be able to generate a sufficient amount of electricity. Electricity that could be later used in powering road lamps, and maybe even households. Another way nano particles mixed in the ground could generate electricity is from friction. The combined friction and heat can make the roads we drive and walk on a useful source for electricity.

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) found out using carbon nanotubes in the materials for making wind turbine blade can be a great advantage. Adding the carbon nanotubes to a typical turbine blade will be able to increase the material thermal conductivity by more than 80%. Due to this new material of nanotube-filled epoxy, stronger and lighter weight blades are made possible. The resulting blades increase the amount of electricity generated by each windmill. This is an example of how nanotubes can increase electricity. 

Another example of nanotechnology generating electricity is from using outside heat. The Integrated Nanotechnology Lab at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology explored the idea of thermoelectric materials at nanoscale with the window glasses to generate electricity based on temperature difference between outside (hot) and inside (cold). For example, Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (image below) a 99 floors skyscraper with about 85,000 square meters of glass coverage, can provide 2.8 megawatts of power using the method described. 

 

The following is their prototype of four thermoelectric pillars. 












Citation: 

Boysen, Earl. "Nanotechnology and Energy." Nanotechnology and Energy. UnderstandingNano, n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.

Inayat, Salman. "Nanotechnology Windows Generate Electricity from outside Heat." Nanotechnology Windows Generate Electricity from outside Heat. N.p., 22 Nov. 2012. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.

Wang, Zhong Lin. "How Self-Powered Nanotech Machines Work." Scientific American. N.p., 09 Nov. 2008. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.

"Wind Turbine Blade Carbon Nanotubes / Polymer Nano Composites Developed." Wind Turbine Blade Carbon Nanotubes / Polymer Nano Composites Developed. N.p., 10 July 2014. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.

"Nanotechnology Now." IMPROVING THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT. N.p., 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.

Jan 30th, 2016

Week 2: Nanotechnology

In reading about Nanotechnology for the first time, I stumbled upon the use of nanotechnology used in agriculture: nanopesticides. Knowing nothing about nanotechnology, this usage in particular caught my eyes.  

Bulk spray could be replaced by targeted pesticide use. 

Pesticides are known to be bad for the environment as well as human health. Through research over the years, we found that pesticides used in agriculture eventually finds way into our ecosystems, which then contaminate soils, waterways, and furthermore, endangers wildlife. The technology of nanopesticides is new in recent years. It is a more environmentally-friendly approach to using pesticides.  

engineered nanoparticles 

Nanopesticides increase efficacy and durability of a pesticide but also reduce active ingredients in it. It is amazing at how much size matters in this case. The particles at nanometer scale have a large surface area relative to their overall size, and since greater surface area ratio means more of total volume of pesticide comes into contact with the pests, it also means that it can reduce the amount of pesticide needed. 

These are 3 types of nanopesticides: nano-emulsion, nano-capsule, and metal nanoparticles in a polymer formulation.  

It is still unclear what impact nano pesticides will have on our ecosystem, but it is definitely going to change the way agriculture has been for years. 

After reading about nanopesticides, I would like to propose a similar usage, but with pets. I think nanotechnology can be used to kill fleas and ticks on common house pets such as dogs and cats. I’d imagine a revolutionary “flea comb”, as owners groom their pet, the nanoparticle are being transferred and targeted towards fleas, and proceeds to kill every single one of them. I think this would be a great use in improving pet health conditions. Flea medicines now are dangerous and harmful, can also get messy when applied to the pet’s skin. But with smaller particles, the medicine wouldn’t leak everywhere, would also be able to be applied through everyday action such as grooming the pet. 

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Works Cited: 

TRESSIDER, VIRGINIA. "Nanopesticides: A Promising New Pesticide Solution?" <i>ECOS</i>. CSIRO Blog, 4 Aug. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Gewin, Virginia. "Everything You Need To Know About Nanopesticides - Modern Farmer." Modern Farmer. N.p., 21 Jan. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Foley, Rider, and Tai Wallace. "Nanomaterial Applications in Agricultural Pesticides." Nanotechnology in City Environments (NICE) Database. Center for Nanotechnology in Society, Arizona State University, 28 Apr. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Kah, Melanie. "Nanopesticides and Nanofertilizers: Emerging Contaminants or Opportunities for Risk Mitigation?" Frontiers in Chemistry. Frontiers Media S.A., 16 Nov. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

"Nano-pesticides: The Future of Agriculture?" Nano-pesticides: The Future of Agriculture? University of Vienna, 3 July 2012. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.