What is Nanotechnology?
It is generally agreed by the scientific community that nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter at a very small scale between 1 to 100 nanometres (nm) or 1/100,000th the diameter of a human hair. At this scale, material properties such as colour, magnetism and electricity conduction may change, allowing the development of new technologies for health, environment, industry and consumer use.
Nanotechnology, and the nanomaterials or nanoparticles that are derived from it, encompasses a range of technologies, techniques and processes. As such, the study of nanotechnology is highly multidisciplinary, drawing expertise from fields such as applied physics, materials science, chemistry, robotics, electronics, food, biotechnology and more.
Small scale
By working at such a small scale, some nanotechnologies may have the ability to create structures and materials with properties and functions that are different to those expressed by the material when in the bulk state. For example:
Carbon nanotubes: These are cylindrical carbon molecules that are approximately 1nm in diameter and can reach up to 1 million nanometres (1mm) in length. Carbon nanotubes have novel properties, including significantly increased tensile strength, elastic capacity and depending on structure conductive capacity. These properties allow their incorporation into advanced lightweight materials used by the motor vehicle, aerospace and electronics industries respectively.
Silver: When ordinary silver is formulated into nano-sized particles, the 'nano-silver' demonstrates anti-microbial properties. This allows it to be incorporated into products such as clothing, socks and bandages.
Industry applications
Nanotechnology, including nanomaterials/nanoparticles, has widespread industry potential and nanoparticles/nanomaterials are already found in a range of consumer products, including sunscreens, food, paints, powders and coatings, sporting products, electronics, advanced materials, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and textiles. Applications of nanotechnology are also being incorporated into manufacturing processes; for example, in steel and plastics fabrication.
Nanoscale in nature
There are also many natural, non-engineered examples of materials and particles at the nanoscale. These include the nanoscale hairs found on the feet of a variety of animals and insects, pollution from fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions and other particles occurring in the atmosphere.
Safe development
Nanotechnology has the very real potential to transform many sectors of the NSW economy, leading to new products, new businesses, new jobs and even new industries. However, the NSW Government recognises the possible negative implications for human health and the natural environment in relation to nanomaterials/nanoparticles. In November 2007, the Minister for Science and Medical Research, the Hon Verity Firth MP wrote to the NSW Legislative Council's Standing Committee for State Development, asking it to investigate the potential environmental, health, safety, legal and ethical implications or uncertainties that may arise from the development and use of nano-material and products.
Resources
NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Nanotechnology in NSW
The Standing Committee on State Development is currently conducting an inquiry into nanotechnology in NSW. The terms of reference, referred by the Minister for Science and Medical Research, the Hon Verity Firth MP, as well as submissions and reports are available on the website.
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