Download NANOTECHNOLOGY Amba Josiane Aye Tula State University, Tula

NANOTECHNOLOGY
Amba Josiane Aye
Tula State University, Tula
Scientific supervisor – Ovchinnikov Victor Vyacheslavovich
Scientific research has seen many technological advances from the 17 th and 18 th
centuries until now. Medicine is one of the domains which the most benefited from this progress.
As progress we can quote the medical imaging, the radiotherapy, cloning techniques....
Among all these many inventions, we will pay special attention to nanotechnology.
What is Nanotechnology? What is it used for? What are the advantages and
disadvantages of practicing Nanotechnology?
The historical of Nanotechnology belong to technical inventions of the second half of the
Twentieth century. The first references to nanotechnology date back to December 29, 1959.
In his famous speech, entitled «there's Plenty of Room at the Bottom», the physicist
Richard Feynman argued that the new technological perspectives arising from the ability to
manipulate atoms and molecules. He was evoking for the first time the concepts and principles
specific to nanotechnology. However, at this time, the tools and equipment necessary to
implement this theory were not yet available.
Then, it was in 1974 that the term “nanotechnology” has been used for the first time by the
Japanese Norio Taniguchi, professor at the University of Sciences of Tokyo, in an article
presented to Japan Society of precision Engineering. [4]
We can define Nanotechnology as the creation of functional materials, devices and
systems through control of matter on the nanometer length scale (1-100 nanometers). [11]
We can also define Nanotechnology as the exploitation of new phenomena and properties
(physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical...) at atomic, molecular and
macromolecular scales, where these properties differ significantly from those at a larger scale.
Presently, nanotechnology is already having an impact on many products by improving
their properties. A few examples of sectors and everyday consumer products incorporating
nanomaterials:
Textile: stain-resistant or waterproof strengthened, anti-folds, anti-odour, anti-bacterial
clothing…
Here nanotechnology is used to develop desired textile characteristics. [1]
Cosmetics industry: varnishes, soaps, creams…
The introduction of the nanomaterials in the cosmetic products is enhancing their quality
according to the skin tones and type of skin. [13]
Information system: This is the field of nanotechnology in which has undergone the
largest increase by the miniaturization and invention of devices such as: [tablets, mobile phones,
iPad, USB keys…].
In the military field: This area could become in a few years, the one that uses the most
nanotechnology, whether for miniaturization, reduction or the use of new materials. Israeli
experts would be setting up nanorobots to provide information on the position of the enemy, or
even worse to kill the enemy. [9]
In the medical domain: This is one of the most promising areas for nanotechnology.
The use of nanotechnology in medicine offers some exciting possibilities particularly
health care issues. Some techniques are only imagined, while others are at various stages of
testing or being used today. The nanotechnologies allow the creation of more resistant prostheses
and implants thus guaranteeing a better longevity. One application of nanotechnology in
medicine currently being developed involves employing nanoparticle to deliver drugs, heat, light
or other substances to specific types of cells (such as cancer cells). [12]
While nanotechnology is seen as the way of the future and is a technology that a lot of
people think will bring a lot of benefit for all who will be using it, nothing is ever perfect and
there will always be advantages and disadvantages to everything.
As advantages of nanotechnology we can notice first the Development of more effective
energy-producing, energy-absorbing, and energy storage products in smaller and more efficient
devices like: batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells.
Secondly the Increasing of the quality, longevity and rigidity of manufactured products.
Then the Creation of smart drugs and fast cure of diseases without side effects.
One of the great usefulness of nanotechnology which will soon be upcoming is the full
treatment of diseases such as cancer.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is defined as the uncontrolled growth of
abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
We have many causes of cancer including: drinking excess alcohol, environmental toxins,
excessive sunlight exposure, genetic problems, obesity, radiation…
However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.
Cancer treatment requires a careful selection of one or more intervention, such as surgery,
radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The goal is to cure the disease or considerably prolong life
while improving the patient's quality of life…[6]
Modern cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy have proven remarkably
effective at treating many cancers, especially in combination, but are plagued with toxic side
effects. These treatments kill healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. Since the mid-1980s,
scientists have been trying to create new medical therapies to take advantage of the cells’ tiny
size. This is where nanotechnology actually seems playing an essential role.
A promising new cancer treatment with nanoparticles is edging closer to human trials and
may one day replace radiation and chemotherapy: Usage of gold nanoparticles [15].
Gold nanoparticles are gold nanorods, extremely small, and are rod shaped. Gold nanorods are
the most recent addition to a small arsenal of therapeutics that are intended for use to kill solid
tumor cancers…[2]
How gold nanoparticles could be bound to malignant cells, making cancer detection
easier?
Many cancer cells have a protein, known as epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], all
over their surface, while healthy cells typically do not express the protein as strongly. By
conjugating, or binding, the gold nanoparticles to an antibody for EGFR, suitably named antiEGFR, the proteins act as a filter that ensures nanoparticles attach only to cancerous cells in the
body. Of this way the researchers were able to get the nanoparticles to specifically attach
themselves to the cancer cells. Then exposed them to continuous visible argon laser. The
malignant cells required less than half the laser energy to be killed than the benign cells. [10]
In addition, we observed no photothermal destruction of any type of cell in the absence of
gold nanoparticles at these low laser powers. Exposing the cells to the correct amount of light
would then cause destruction of the cancer cells only and leave the healthy cells alone. Scientists
are looking into gold because it is FDA-approved and has a track record of being tolerated in
humans. So the technique isn’t toxic to human cells. [2]
More, the treatment has proven 100 percent effective at killing cancer cells while leaving
neighboring healthy cells unharmed. Nanoparticles made of gold, carbon and other materials can
move through the bloodstream and devices for research purposes. In trials with animal and
human cells, the RF treatment destroyed 100 percent of malignant cells injected with
nanoparticles, without harming surrounding healthy tissue. A study in the Journal of
Nanobiotechnology in January 2008 showed that destruction of human pancreatic cancer cells
was 100 percent effective – again producing no noticeable side effects.
The technique is very simple and only a few cents worth of gold can yield results. We
think it holds great promise to reduce the time, effort, and expense in cancer research, detection,
and therapy in humans and under the microscope.While much progress has been made on this
cancer treatment technique in a laboratory setting, there are still many factors that must be taken
into account before this method may be taken to a clinical setting.. [15]
In spite of the several advantages of nanotechnology we can also notice his disadvantages.
From one part, we have the loss of jobs in the traditional farming and manufacturing
industry linked to the crash of certain markets. This will due to the lowering of the value of oil
and diamonds because of the possibility of developing alternative sources of energy that are
more efficient and won’t require the use of fossil fuels. From another part, a greater access to
more powerful and more destructive atomic weapons. As final disadvantage effect that we could
attribute to nanotechnology is the small size of the nanoparticles which could make easier their
inhalation by people what could engender a lot of diseases.
Nanotechnology is a revolutionary technology that can be seen as a broad spectrum of
scientific efforts to make human’s life better in all the areas. She can be seen as the meeting
point between several disciplines such as information systems, biology, physics, and chemistry.
If presently nanotechnology does not know a great success, in the near future it should be
an indispensable part of our society with the production or improvement of many products. Also,
the resolutions taken by some states promise it a brighter future. This is the case of Russia, which
aims to become a major center in the field of nanotechnologies by the creation in 2007 of the
Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies [RUSNANO].
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References
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http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2008/04/kanzius_therapy