"Another important application of nanotechnology is in environmental science.

This is
the study of the environment and how people affect it. Nanotechnology helps us find
new ways to protect nature and solve environmental problems."

1. WATER PURIFICATION -Water purification is a way of cleaning dirty or unsafe water

to make it safe for use. One way nanotechnology helps with this is by using
nanomaterials, which are materials made up of extremely tiny particles—so small that
you need a powerful microscope to see them. Examples of these nanomaterials include
carbon nanotubes (tiny, tube-shaped structures made of carbon) and silver
nanoparticles (tiny pieces of silver). These materials are used to remove
contaminants, which are harmful substances like heavy metals (dangerous metals
such as lead or mercury) and bacteria (tiny living organisms that can cause disease).

These nanomaterials work really well because they have a large surface area,
meaning there's a lot of space on their tiny surfaces to trap or break down harmful
substances. They also have unique chemical properties, which means they can react
with or destroy contaminants in ways that bigger materials cannot. This makes them
very effective tools for cleaning polluted water

2. Pollution Remediation- Pollution remediation is the process of cleaning up areas that

have been polluted, such as dirty soil or contaminated underground water. In
environmental science, this is an important task because pollution can harm
ecosystems, animals, and people. Nanotechnology helps in this area by using
nanoparticles, which are extremely tiny particles that can move easily through soil and
water.

One type of nanoparticle used is called zero-valent iron, or nZVI for short. "Zero-
valent" means the iron is in its pure form, not combined with other elements. These iron
nanoparticles are small but powerful. When they are put into polluted areas, they can
break down harmful substances (turn dangerous chemicals into safer ones) or bind
with pollutants (attach to harmful materials so they can’t move or cause more
damage). This prevents pollution from spreading and makes the environment safer.

3. Sustainable energy sources – Sustainable energy sources, such as solar energy and
hydrogen fuel, are key to reducing pollution and slowing down climate change.
Environmental science focuses on using these kinds of clean energy to protect the
planet and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels like coal and oil, which harm the
environment. Nanotechnology supports this goal by improving the tools we use to
generate and store sustainable energy.

For example, in solar panels, nanotechnology makes it easier to capture and convert
sunlight into electricity. This is done using quantum dots, which are tiny particles that
can absorb light very effectively. Because of their small size and special properties, they
can help solar panels produce more energy from the same amount of sunlight.
Nanotechnology is also used to improve batteries and fuel cells, which are devices
that store and deliver energy. Using nanostructured electrodes—which are materials
with very small and carefully designed surfaces—makes it easier for energy to flow in
and out of these devices. This means they can charge faster, last longer, and work
more efficiently.

4. COSMETICS- Nanotechnology also plays a growing role in cosmetics, especially in

products like sunscreens and skincare. In this field, nanotechnology is used to improve
how well these products work and how they feel on the skin.

For example, nanoparticles such as zinc oxide are commonly used in sunscreens. In
their regular form, zinc oxide can leave a white, chalky layer on the skin. But when it's
used in nano-size form—so small it’s invisible to the naked eye—it still provides strong
UV protection (protection from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun) without the thick,
white appearance. This makes the sunscreen more comfortable and appealing to wear,
encouraging people to use it more regularly, which supports better skin health.

Another way nanotechnology is used in cosmetics is through nanoencapsulation. This

means that active ingredients in skincare products—like vitamins, antioxidants, or
moisturizers—are wrapped in tiny capsules. These capsules help the ingredients stay
stable, absorb more deeply into the skin, and release slowly over time, making the
product work better and last longer.

5. FOOD SCIENCE-- Nanotechnology is also being used in food science to make food
safer, last longer, and even be more nutritious. One important use is in smart
packaging. This kind of packaging can detect when food is starting to spoil. It may
change color or send a signal when there are signs of bacteria or gases that indicate
the food is no longer fresh. This helps reduce food waste and protect consumers from
eating spoiled products.

Another use is in improving how nutrients are added and absorbed in food. Through a
process called nanoencapsulation, tiny coatings are used to wrap nutrients like
vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. This helps protect them during storage and cooking
and allows them to be absorbed more effectively by the body. As a result, food products
can be made healthier without changing their taste or texture.

In this way, nanotechnology supports the goals of food science by improving food
quality, safety, and nutrition—all of which also connect to broader environmental and
public health efforts.

6. TEXTILES- Nanotechnology is also used in the textile industry to improve the

performance and functionality of fabrics. One of the most common examples is the use
of silver nanoparticles, which are tiny particles of silver added to fabrics. These give
the material antibacterial properties, meaning they can kill or prevent the growth of
bacteria.
This helps keep clothes fresher for longer and reduces odors, which is especially useful
in medical uniforms, sportswear, and other clothing worn for long periods.

Nanotechnology can also make fabrics self-cleaning, which means they can repel dirt
and moisture, making them easier to care for and more durable. These advanced
materials are often used in high-tech clothing, such as uniforms for healthcare
workers, athletes, or even astronauts, where hygiene and performance are very
important.

with the presence of all these nanotechnology applications, Nanotechnology is making

products safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting, helping us solve real-world problems
and move toward a more sustainable future."
SLIDE 39 and 40

MAGNETIC BEHAVIOR
- a property of nanomaterial

- Show stable magnetic hysteresis and coercivity" means that a nanomaterial can
consistently keep and control its magnetism. Magnetic hysteresis is when the material
stays magnetized even after the magnetic field is removed, and coercivity is the strength of
the magnetic force needed to bring that magnetization back to zero. When these two are
stable, it shows that the material can reliably hold and release magnetism without easily
losing its magnetic strength over time.

This behavior is important because it ensures that the nanomaterial can be used repeatedly
without breaking down or becoming weak. For example, this is useful in high-density data
storage, where nanomaterials with stable magnetic behavior can store digital information in
the form of tiny magnetic bits. Their stability makes sure that the data stays safe and
readable for a long time.

SLIDE 41

Tools for material characterization

- Next we’ll talk about Tools for Material Characterization, these help scientists as well as
engineers to look closely at the size, shape, and makeup of nanomaterials.

1. SEM
A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is a special microscope used to see tiny details
on the surface of materials. Instead of using light like regular microscopes, it uses a beam
of electrons that moves across the surface.

When the electron beam hits the material, it makes tiny particles called secondary
electrons come out. The SEM catches these particles and uses them to make a very clear
and detailed picture of the surface.

The pictures from SEM look almost 3D, so you can see the bumps, shapes, and texture of
the material’s surface. This helps scientists understand what the material looks like and
how it is made.

2. TEM

A Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) works by sending a beam of electrons

through specimen or material. Because the electrons pass through, TEM can create
images that show the inside of the material, not just the surface.

TEM provides extremely detailed images with atomic or near-atomic resolution, which
means it can show individual atoms or things very close to that size.

It helps scientists see the internal structures, including how its atoms are arranged (called
crystallography) and if there are any defects or flaws inside.
Compared to the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), TEM gives even sharper, clearer
images.

TEM is especially important for studying tiny details inside nanomaterials, such as different
layers (phases), boundaries between parts (interfaces), and the shape and structure
(morphology) at a very small scale.

3. AFM

Unlike microscopes that use light or electrons to create images, the AFM physically “feels”
the surface using a very sharp tip mounted on a flexible arm called a cantilever.

Here’s how it works: the sharp tip gently moves over the surface of a material. As it does
this, it measures tiny forces between the tip and the sample, called intermolecular forces.
These forces can tell the microscope exactly how the surface is shaped, even at a
molecular level. Using this information, the AFM creates a detailed 3D map of the surface,
showing bumps, grooves, and textures.

Another advantage of AFM is that it can work in many different environments. It doesn’t
need a vacuum like some electron microscopes, so it can be used in normal air or even in
liquids. This makes AFM especially useful for studying biological samples, such as living
cells or proteins, where keeping them in liquid is necessary to see how they behave
naturally.

4. CVD

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is a process used to create very thin layers of solid
material on a surface. It works by using gases called vapor-phase precursors—these are
chemicals in gas form that react or break down when they come into contact with a hot
surface called a substrate.

When the vapor precursors reach the heated substrate, they undergo chemical reactions or
decompose, which causes solid material to form and stick to the surface. This way, CVD
builds up a thin film layer by layer, with precise control over how thick the layer is and what
it’s made of.

CVD is widely used in industries for making things like coatings that protect surfaces,
semiconductor layers for electronics, and various nanomaterials with specific properties.

One special type of CVD, called Catalytic CVD, uses catalysts to lower the temperature
needed for the reaction and allows better control over how nanoparticles form during the
process. This helps create nanomaterials with the exact size and shape needed.