Can Nanotechnology Really "Green" Things Up?
We have all heard the words "nanotechnology", "nanotech" or "nano" for short, and what generally comes to mind are some sort of hard working, tiny, almost robotic-like particles that can somehow improve our lives by revolutionarily, and innovatively improving the functionality of products, processes and applications alike.
According to Wikipedia, "Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale".
Some common examples of nontechnology usages are: sunscreens (which uses nanoparticles of zinc and titanium oxide which eliminates the gunked-up white look on the skin), self cleaning glass (which maximizes UV rays, and water effectively through "photocatalytic" and "hydrophilic" processes ), scratch resistant coatings (By adding aluminum silicate nanoparticles to scratch-resistant polymer coatings to further improve scratch resistance), clothing (by applying thin layers in clothing to improve permeability, reduce UV radiation, and guard against stains etc.
) and, antibacterial bandages (which add silver nanoparticles to bandages whose ions will block the infiltration of microbes).
While Nanotechnology has been "all the buzz" for years, in touting its advances in modern medicine, more recently, nanotechnology seems to be trending, and expanding into the "green" sectors.
Proponents of nanotechnology suggest, that its usage, will significantly improve the environment by: reducing greenhouse gases, and hazardous waste products, as well as saving overall energy, water and materials.
Therefore, nanotechnology seems to promise certain sustainability and environmental benefits, but in reality, does it really? With increasing environmental awareness (among the consumer population), and rising costs of energy and raw materials, companies are rushing to flood the market with the latest and greatest green technology.
While novel, critics cite that many nontechnology claims, (particularly in the environmental industry), are unsubstantiated, and are not based on clear cut longitudinal studies that track the benefits of the product has on the environment throughout its entire life cycle.
While nanomaterials can undoubtedly improve many products by: improving its durability, and increasing the product shelf life, or even improve a buildings insulation and energy efficiency, as well as guard against mechanical stress and weathering, what must still be examined, is calculating the cost (both monetarily, and long term negative effects) of using nanoparticles versus using existing conventional processes.
In some instances, current processes are more environmentally sound that using nanoparticles.
It is evident, that further long term study is needed, as well as improved manufacturer monitoring and data reporting processes are in place, to ensure that the real environmental long term benefits of nanoparticles, can truly be ascertained.
According to Wikipedia, "Nanotechnology (sometimes shortened to "nanotech") is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale".
Some common examples of nontechnology usages are: sunscreens (which uses nanoparticles of zinc and titanium oxide which eliminates the gunked-up white look on the skin), self cleaning glass (which maximizes UV rays, and water effectively through "photocatalytic" and "hydrophilic" processes ), scratch resistant coatings (By adding aluminum silicate nanoparticles to scratch-resistant polymer coatings to further improve scratch resistance), clothing (by applying thin layers in clothing to improve permeability, reduce UV radiation, and guard against stains etc.
) and, antibacterial bandages (which add silver nanoparticles to bandages whose ions will block the infiltration of microbes).
While Nanotechnology has been "all the buzz" for years, in touting its advances in modern medicine, more recently, nanotechnology seems to be trending, and expanding into the "green" sectors.
Proponents of nanotechnology suggest, that its usage, will significantly improve the environment by: reducing greenhouse gases, and hazardous waste products, as well as saving overall energy, water and materials.
Therefore, nanotechnology seems to promise certain sustainability and environmental benefits, but in reality, does it really? With increasing environmental awareness (among the consumer population), and rising costs of energy and raw materials, companies are rushing to flood the market with the latest and greatest green technology.
While novel, critics cite that many nontechnology claims, (particularly in the environmental industry), are unsubstantiated, and are not based on clear cut longitudinal studies that track the benefits of the product has on the environment throughout its entire life cycle.
While nanomaterials can undoubtedly improve many products by: improving its durability, and increasing the product shelf life, or even improve a buildings insulation and energy efficiency, as well as guard against mechanical stress and weathering, what must still be examined, is calculating the cost (both monetarily, and long term negative effects) of using nanoparticles versus using existing conventional processes.
In some instances, current processes are more environmentally sound that using nanoparticles.
It is evident, that further long term study is needed, as well as improved manufacturer monitoring and data reporting processes are in place, to ensure that the real environmental long term benefits of nanoparticles, can truly be ascertained.
