NanoEngineering@Iowa
as of March 28, 2005
What is NanoTechnology?
Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter; a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick. Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.
At this level, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter. Nanotechnology R&D is directed toward understanding and creating improved materials, devices, and systems that exploit these new properties.
Why is NanoTechnology of interest?
There are at least three reasons for the current interest in nanotechnology (Roco, NNI 2004).
- First, the research is helping us fill a
major gap in our fundamental knowledge of matter. At small end of
the scale we already know quite a bit about single atoms and molecules,
using tools developed by conventional physics and chemistry. And
at the large end, likewise, conventional chemistry, biology and
engineering have taught us about the bulk behavior of materials
and systems. Until now, however, we’ve know much less about
the intermediate nanoscale, which is the natural threshold where
all living systems and man-made systems work. The basic properties
and functions of material structures and systems are defined here
and, even more importantly, can be changed as a function of the
organization of matter via ‘weak’ molecular interactions
(such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic dipole, van der Waals forces,
various surface forces, electro-fluidic forces, etc.). The intellectual
drive towards smaller dimensions was accelerated by the discovery
of size-dependent novel properties and phenomena.
- A second reason for the interest in nanotechnology
is that these nanoscale phenomena hold the promise of radically
new applications. Possible examples include chemical manufacturing
using designed molecular assemblies, processing of information using
photons or electron spin, detection of chemicals or bioagents using
only a few molecules, detection and treatment of chronic illnesses
by sub-cellular interventions, regenerating tissue and nerves, enhancing
learning and other cognitive processes by understanding the “society”
of neurons, and cleaning contaminated soils with designed nanoparticles.
- Finally, a third reason for the interest is the beginning of industrial prototyping and commercialization and that governments around the world are pushing to develop nanotechnology as rapidly as possible.
What are the goals of NanoEngineering@Iowa?
- Introduce nanotechnology and its related forefront research to faculty members, staff and students.
- Provide a platform for researchers to pursue collaborations with engineering faculty members.
- Enhance the nanotechnology education for students.
What are the R&D potential targets for 2015?
- Half of the newly designed advanced materials and manufacturing processes are built using control at the nanoscale. Several challenges are listed below. Visualization and numerical simulation of three-dimensional domains with nanometer resolution will be necessary for engineering applications. Nanoscale designed catalysts will expand the use in "exact"chemical manufacturing to cut and link molecular assemblies, with minimal waste. Silicon transistors will reach dimensions smaller than 10nm and will be integrated with molecular or other kind of nanoscale systems.
- Suffering from Chronic illnesses is being sharply reduced. It is conceivable that by 2015, our ability to detect and treat tumors in their first year of occurrence might greatly mitigate suffering and death from cancer.
- Science and engineering of nanobiosystems is one of the most challenging
and fastest growing components of nanotechnology. It is essential
for better understanding of living systems and for developing new
tools for medicine and solutions for healthcare. Important challenges
are understanding processes inside a cell and the neural system.
- Converging science and engineering from the nanoscale will establish
a mainstream pattern for applying and integrating nanotechnology
with biology, electronics, medicine, learning and other fields.
It is includes hybrid manufacturing, neuromorphic engineering, artificial
organs, expanding life expectancy, increased productivity, enhancing
learning and sensorial capacities.
- Knowledge development and education will originate from the nanoscale
instead of the microscale. Earlier nanoscience education will change
the role of science and motivation for schoolchildren.
- Nanotechnology businesses and organizations will restructure towards
integration with other technologies, distributed production, continuing
education, and forming consortia of complementary activities.
- Four generations of nanotechnology applications will need about
20 years of development.
Four generations of nanotechnology applications:
- First generation of products (~2001 - ):
passive nanostructures, illustrated by nanostructured coatings,
dispersion of nanoparticles, and bulk materials ¨C nanostructured
metals, polymers, ceramics.
- second generation (~2005 - ): active nanostructures,
illustrated by transistors, amplifiers, targeted drugs and chemicals,
actuators, and adaptive structures.
- Third generation (~2010 - ): three-dimensional
nanosystems with heterogeneous nanocomponents using various syntheses
and assembling techniques such as bioassembling; networking at the
nanoscale and multiscale architectures. Research focus will shift
towards heterogeneous nanostructures and supramolecular system engineering.
- Fourth generation (~2015 - ): heterogeneous
molecular nanosystems, where each molecule in the nanosystem has
a specific structure and plays a different role. Molecules will
be used as devices and from their engineered structures and architectures
will emerge fundamentally new functions.
Nanotechnology Research & Development at the U.S. Department of Defense
Historical Perspective:
- DoD has a long history of supporting research
in nanoscience and nanotechnologys.
- In the early 1980s, DoD initiated a program
called UltraSubmicron Electronics Research (USER) program.
- The USER program was followed by several
programs in the 1980s.
- In the early 1990s, DARPA initiated the
ULTRA (ultra fast, ultra dense) electronics program. ONR launched
an Accelerated Research Initiative on interfacial nanostructures.
ARO launched nanscience university research initiative.
- In the mid-1990s, ONR launched program on
nanostructured coatings. DARPA launched Bio-Info-Micro Computing
(SYMBIOS) program.
- Convergence of research in materials, electronics,
and molecular biology.
- By the mid-1990s, DoD identified nanoscience as one of six Strategic
Research Areas (SRA) (Ref. DoD Basic Research Plan, Feb. 2003).
DoD Programs in Nanotechnology:
- OSD: Multidisciplinary University Research
Initiative (MURI, DURINT), DEPSCoR, NDSEG.
- DARPA: Bio-molecular Microsystems, metamaterials,
molecular electronics, spin electronics, quantum information sciences,
nanoscale mechanical arrays.
- Army: Nanostructured polymers, quantum dots
for IR sensing, nanoengineered clusters, nano-composites, Nanoenergetics,
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology. (ISN)
- Navy: Nanoelectronics, nanowires and carbon
nanotubes, nanostructured materials, ultrafine and thermal barrier
nanocoatings, nanobio-materials and processes, nanomagnetics and
non-volatile memeries, IR transparent nanomaterials.
- Air Force: Nanostrcuture devices, nanomaterials
by design, nano-bio interfaces, polymer nanocomposites, hybrid inorganic/organic
nanomaterials, nanosensors for aerospace applications, nano-energetic
particles for propulsion.
- SBIR: Nanolithography, quantum devices,
bio-chem decontaminations, microfluidics.
- Centers: Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology, Center for Collaborative
Biology, NRL Nanotechnology Inst.
Army Nanoscience Basic Research Programs:
- Physics Division:
- Condensed Matter Physics (Nanophotonics, IR Devices)
- Quantum Information Science (Quantum Computing, Q Communications)
- Nonlinear Dynamics (Nonlinear Optical Materials, Eye/Sensor Protection, Theory and Phenomenology)
- Optics, Photonics, Image Science (Photonic Band Engineering)
- Chemistry Division:
- Organized Media and Surfaces and Catalysis (Nanoclusters, Nanoparticles, supramolecular nanocomposites)
- Novel Moleculars (Polymers, Dendrimers, ISN)
- Engineering Division:
- Combustion and Propulsion (Nanoenergetics, Fuels, Portable Power)
- Electronics Division:
- Nanoelectronics, THz Technologies (Nanoelectronics, Nanolithography)
- Opto and Q Electronics (IR Detectors, Optoelectronics)
- Solid State Device (Device Physics, Mesoscopic Devices)
- Materials Division:
- Physical Properties of Materials (Nanocomposites, Defect Engineering, Thermoelectrics)
- Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- Life Science Division:
- Biomolecular and Cellular Materials and Processes (Biological Agent Detection, Biomolecular Control of Nanostructure Assembly)
ONR/Navy Nanotechnology Emphasis Areas:
- Power Sources
- Energy Conversion
- Energy Storage
- Nanoporous Membranes
- Conductors and Emitters
- Ceramic Nanocomposites
- Structural Materials
- NanoStructured Coatings
Department of Energy Missions and Nanoscience/Nanotechnology Activities
- Energy Security:
- Fossil energy: Nanostructured catalysts for cheaper, cleaner, more environmentally friendly petroleum refining and product manufacturing.
- Energy efficiency: Low-loss, high-performance magnets for more efficient motors; nanostructured catalysts for fuel cells and batteries; and others.
- Renewable energy: Light harvesting and energy storage systems for solar energy conversion; Nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage.
- Nuclear energy: Radiation tolerant materials for nuclear power plants; Nanostructures that selectively bind and concentrate radionucleotides, thereby lowering waste disposal costs.
- Hydrogen Economy:
- Five high priority research directions: Novel materials; membranes for separation and ion transport; design of catalyst at the nanoscale; solar hydrogen production; bio-inspired materials and processes.
- Cleanup:
- Nanostructured molecular sieves and filters for improved separations for cleanup and decontamination.
- Nanostructured materials for selective sequestration of specific
contaminants.
- Homeland defense:
- A recurring theme was better detection. Research needed to improve sensors for detection is at the nanoscale, including ¡°single¡± molecule detection of explosives and chemical agents, specific virus or other biological agent detection, laboratories on a chip, and more portable and sensitive radiological detectors.
- Other nanoscale areas of research included catalysts for decontamination,
membranes for separations and protective gear, and nanostructured
materials as absorbers and reactive filters.
National Nanotechnology Initiative
The vision of the National Nanotechnology Initiative is a future in which the ability to understand and control matter on the nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry.
NNI Goals and Plans:
- Maintain a world-class research and development program aimed at realizing the full potential of nanotechnology.
- Facilitate transfer of new technologies into products for economic growth, jobs, and other public benefit.
- Develop educational resources, a skilled workforce, and the supporting infrastructure and tools to advance nanotechnology.
- Support responsible development of nanotechnology.