Nanoscience in the

Environment

From lakes to oceans, from air to

soil, from forests to deserts,

from farms to cities.

How can small science help us

protect such a big beautiful

world?

How Big Is Nano?

http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html

This is one

nanometer!

http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

Environment

Nanotechnology is making significant improvements in technologies for protecting the environment. Nanoscale devices are being used for enhanced sensing, treating and remediating environmental contaminants.

http://img.timeinc.net/time/2007/environment/images/opener.jpg

On the other hand, nanotechnology's unique

characteristics may also lead to unforeseen

environmental problems.

Someday we may be able to prevent pollution

with the help of nanotechnology.

Nanoscale Developments

in the Environment

1. Nanosensors can be used to detect and

track pathogens (germs), contaminants,

nutrients, environmental characteristics

(light/dark, hot/cold, wet/dry), heavy

metals, particulates, and allergens.

Nanotools can track agricultural products

and improve their quality by detecting

pesticides, fertilizers, and biological events.

2. Veterinarians can use

gene insertion and gene

therapy.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2005/Nov/10/FPI511100313V2_b.jpg

http://europa.eu/abc/europein2005/photos/7.jpg cmcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/webquest/sidelsky/dna75.jpg

Waste…

Not

4. Nanocatalysts will bioprocess waste into food, feed, industrial chemicals, biofuels and energy. (Catalysts are molecules that can quicken the pace of a chemical reactions by factors of billions. Additionally the benefit of

nanosized particles increases the rate exponentially!)

http://images.pennnet.com/articles/cr/thm/th_0604cr_biosensor01.jpg

http://www.walesenvtrust.org.uk/uploaded_documents/736/cows_sm_4453.jpg

3. Nanodevices can be used to extract

unwanted agricultural byproducts

from soil and water.

Clean

It Up!

5. Nano-filters and nano-bioreactor can be used to study enzymes and microbes in compost systems.

http://www.ecofriend.org/images/city_of_erie_wastewater_treatment_plant.jpg

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/img/nanop.jpg

6. Trends in nanotechnology

can be utilized to clean up

toxic waste sites.

Researchers have

developed sponge-like

nanoporous materials that

will mop up pollutants in air

and water, and break

down noxious wastes

therefore reducing

greenhouse gases.

Toxic Waste Cleanup

Cleaner Water with

Nanotechnology

http://cohesion.rice.edu/CentersAndInst/CBEN/emplibrary/Rice%20NSEC%20EEC-0647452%20Arsenic%20removal%20using%20nanorust%20(summary).pdf www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-05zg.html

http://filterwaterdirect.com/best_source_of_drinking_waterhttp://danielforsbakk.com/index.php?showimage=118

1. Nanotechnology can clean arsenic contaminated drinking water cheaply and simply enough to use in developing countries.

2. Researchers have developed nanocrystalline photocatalysts that purify water by accelerating a reaction that requires light. Nanoparticles use sunlight to break down organic pollutants, such as those in the oil industry. The performance of the nanocrystals has improved as well as the ability to recover them. Therefore they are more cost effective than previous nanocrystals.

Nanochemicals and

Nanocatalysts

1. Nanochemicals and nanocatalysts can be used to purify exhaust.

1. Researchers are working on a method to replace expensive platinum in catalytic converters with nickel.

2. Gold is an inactive atom, but when gold is less than 6 nanometers, it becomes an active catalyst, helping oxygen combine with carbon monoxide to make carbon dioxide.

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-05zg.html

So, Isn’t This Great

News?To summarize and elaborate on positive points already made which promote the use of nanoparticles in the environment -

1. Nanoparticles in nature can

be used to clean up polluted

environments by weakening

pollutants and hazardous

organisms in the ground, air

or water.

2. Pipes might be coated with

nanoparticles to weaken

pollutants as they pass

through.

3. Nanoparticles could also

monitor biochemical threats

which would increase public

safety.

But…

What might happen to the environment if they

get out of control? They could cause unexpected

and dangerous reactions in plants, animals or the

environment.

What is the cost to the environment when we

manufacture and use these nanomaterials and

techniques?

Environmental

Precautions

Technological advances which benefit and protect the environment are one reason to invest in nanotechnology research related to the environment.

A second reason to invest in nano-environmental research is because of the potential impact of nanoparticles in the environment.

Why Do Nanoparticles

Have a Greater Impact?

1.The amount of surface area of a substance affects the interaction of chemicals in that substance with the environment. Smaller particles, nanoparticles, would result in a great deal of surface area. Thus there will be a dramatic increase in the interaction between that substance and the environment if its particle size changes from macro to micro to nano!

http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/~geograph/rainbow_falls.jpg

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/People-and-Society/Mysteries-and-Astrology/Magic/Tricks/Tricks-351.html

According to Professor Joel Pederson, Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, UW-Madison, there are three main factors affecting the impact of nanoparticles in an environment:

1. For a given amount of matter, there’s a great deal more surface area when the paper/particles are smaller. To illustrate the increased amount of surface area when a material is ‘nanosized’, take a piece of paper and measure the perimeter of the paper. Then cut or tear the paper into smaller and smaller pieces. Calculate the total perimeter for that amount of paper now.

Environmental Factors2. A second concern is that some core materials

of the nanoparticles can be toxic to the environment.

3. Nanoparticles are often coated with a different material than the core. These coatings are expected to interact with the environment. But the core material may become exposed to the environment when the coating is worn away. (In the same way chocolate in an M&M is exposed when the coating melts away on a hot day.) For example, microscopic organisms, such as daphnia in water, digest the coating and expel the core material back into the environment.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pds-rings.seti.org/saturn/artwork/plate_07-med.gif&imgrefurl=http://pds-

rings.seti.org/saturn/artwork/plate_07.html&h=349&w=350&sz=62&hl=en&start=21&tbnid=zXj2OuoVdvemoM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images

%3Fq%3Dparticle%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

http://www.magnecell.com/images/Nanoparticle.jpg

http://www.bokashi.co.nz/soil-enhance.htm

3. Lastly, the environment itself affects the toxicity and

fate of the nanoparticles.

Soil, water or particles in the air can interact with

nanoparticles and affect what these particles become

and where they eventually end up.

Evaluation Needed

Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee on Technology, National Science And Technology Council, September 2006 report on Environmental, Ealth and

Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials.

Three main areas of nanoscience in the environment

need to be researched to evaluate the impact of

nanoparticles:

1. The appropriateness and effectiveness of present plans to identify and manage nanomaterials which have the greatest risk to the environment.

2. Evaluate our ability to minimize hazards and

exposure to high-risk nanoparticles.

3. Evaluate present risk management plans for all nanomaterials.

Social, Environmental and

Ethical Concerns

1. Might these nanotechnology developments in the

environment infringe on human rights?

2. Could any of them decrease privacy of

individuals?

3. Could the use of nanotechnology have unwanted

and negative environmental effects?

4. What economic impact could the use of

nanotechnology in the environment have on

producers, consumers, and other industries? Might

they be negative or positive?

What About Your Rights?

If so, are these developments

more important than

•Your privacy?

•Your rights as a citizen?

•Your rights as a human being?

Are the answers somewhere in between?

Research Questions

To prepare for your presentation, answer the following questions using reference materials which can include the websites linked to this webquest:

2. If we can develop these technologies, should we? Why?

1. What can be done to maximize the

chances that humans will benefit from,

rather than be harmed by, new

developments?

Environment Websites

http://cben.rice.eduhttp://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2006/02/a_call_for_more.html

http://watersecretsblog.com/archives/2006/11/index.htmlhttp://scienceline.org/2006/09/22/env-cosier-nanotech/

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2007/2007-04-26-01.asphttp://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2007/05/nanotechnology.htmlhttp://www.nanocafes.org/environment

http://www.hpl.hp.com/environment/nanotechnology.html

http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?cat=82

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408132129.htm and/or do a search at this site

http://www.blonnet.com/businessline/blnus/34065012.htm

http://www.smalltimes.com/Articles/stm_category_display.cfm?c=Envir&CatName=Environment http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=12723

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Nanotech/nanotech.htm

http://www.mos.org/topics/nanotech_and_nanomedicine

http://www.nano.gov/html/news/current.html

http://www.nano.gov/

http://www.safenano.org/

A Presentation from Cynthia Folsom Murphy and David Allen, University of Texas, October 4, 2004

Numerous nanoscience sites are linked here: Websites

These websites can help you find more information

on nanotechnology in the environment. The last link

connects you to general nanoscience sites.

More Help

If you would like help breaking down your

research into steps, click on the help button

for an outline.