The Role of Nanotechnology in Modern Industry

By Ibtisam AbbasiReviewed by Lexie CornerOct 29 2024

Technologies operating at the nanoscale (10^-9 meter level) enable the manipulation of materials at the atomic and molecular levels, allowing precise control over their properties, such as conductivity, strength, and reactivity. This capability supports the development of new, improved, and application-specific materials.¹

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Nanotechnology is grounded in principles from micro-engineering and materials sciences, and its integration with tools like artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded its applications and relevance across industries.²

Applications of Nanotechnology in Manufacturing

The fields of manufacturing and precision engineering have advanced significantly with the adoption of nanotechnology. The molecular-level precision it offers, alongside innovations in materials processing, has accelerated both manufacturing and product development.

In CNC machining, nanotechnology contributes to improved surface finish, extended product lifespan, and reduced wear on components. Leading companies, such as Ben Machine Products—prominent in defense and aerospace manufacturing—have integrated nanotechnology into their fabrication assembly lines.

Nano-lubricants are now also used in manufacturing, providing superior lubrication to machine components. These advanced lubricants help lower maintenance costs and minimize waste generation during production.³

Additionally, nanometer-thick coatings are increasingly valuable in industrial applications, as demonstrated by companies like BI State Rubber. These coatings offer enhanced protection against heat and UV radiation and provide improved adhesive properties during manufacturing.⁴ With ongoing advancements in smart nano-coatings, substantial growth in this market sector is anticipated.

Nanotechnology is also pivotal in accelerating the discovery and development of advanced materials for manufacturing.

For instance, Dutch startup VSParticle recently secured €6.5 million in funding to further its nanotechnology-based tools, which significantly reduce material development time from a decade to approximately 12-14 months.⁵ Its comprehensive platform includes prototyping, automated material generation tools, and an integrated computational setup that accelerates new material discovery, including for green hydrogen. This system also reduces costs, particularly when working with scarce metals like iridium.

In these ways, nanotechnology is vital for the efficient discovery of new materials, enabling precision and innovation in manufacturing.

Nanotechnology’s Role in Modern Electronics

Nanotechnology has introduced notable improvements in the electronics industry, enhancing device performance and efficiency. The use of nanomaterials has enabled miniaturization of electronic components without compromising functionality.⁶

Nano-fabrication advancements have also reduced transistor size, allowing transistors to be built on a semiconductor platform just a few nanometers wide. This development supports the production of more energy-efficient transistors and semiconductors, fostering progress in smart electronics.⁷

IBM has made substantial advancements in electronics and semiconductors through the strategic use of nanotechnology. From identifying in 1993 that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can conduct electricity about 70 times faster than silicon to recent applications of nanostructures for early cancer detection, IBM has leveraged nanotechnology to develop faster, more reliable electronic components, with diverse applications in various industries.⁸

Nanomaterials have also been instrumental in advancing smart electronics and efficient semiconductor devices. Recently, graphene nanosheets—a new class of two-dimensional carbon nanostructures—have attracted significant attention for electronics and energy storage systems. Their remarkable properties, including high mechanical strength, light weight, and excellent electronic transport capabilities, make them a popular choice for wearable sensors.⁹

Nanotechnology in Modern Healthcare and Medicine

Nanotechnology-based tools have become integral to modern healthcare and biomedicine. The application of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and pharmaceutical manufacturing has contributed to substantial improvements in treatment quality and patient outcomes. This integration has led to the emergence of nanomedicine, a field dedicated to advanced diagnostics, disease prevention, and efficient drug synthesis.¹⁰

Programmed nanomachines and nanorobots are enhancing medical precision, allowing procedures at the sub-cellular level. Their expanding role in diagnostics supports disease prediction and helps the regulation of treatment options.¹¹

Nanotechnology is emerging as a critical technology for bone regeneration. Researchers are developing bone graft methods for bone repair and muscle restructuring. Recent advancements focus on biomineralization, collagen fibers, and the creation of artificial muscles and joints, aiming to significantly advance osteology and bone tissue engineering.¹²

In drug delivery, nanoscale techniques enhance drug stability and pharmacokinetics. Nanorobots play a pivotal role by navigating the circulatory system to deliver drugs precisely to targeted sites.

Researchers are also exploring surgical applications of wireless nanorobots to treat specific diseases. These nanobots operate at a scale fine enough to enable targeted drug delivery and even cut a single neuronal dendrite without damaging the surrounding neuronal networks.¹²

Advanced nanoscale techniques are also advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Lattice Medical, founded in 2017 and specializing in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and 3D printing, utilizes specialized nanotechnological solutions to develop innovative implants for reconstructive surgery.¹³

Japan Tissue Engineering Company also provides specialized systems for regenerative medicine,¹⁴ while BioTissue has made significant strides in the field by developing innovative products using amniotic membrane tissues.¹⁵ To date, BioTissue’s products have been used to treat over 900,000 patients, underscoring the positive impact of nanotechnology in healthcare and biomedicine.¹⁵

Supporting Environmental Goals with Nanotechnology

Climate change, greenhouse gases, and global warming present pressing challenges, with efforts underway globally to address them. Nanotechnology contributes to sustainability and environmental protection in various ways.

The shortage of clean water—free of contaminants and pollutants—remains a major challenge. Nanomaterials and nanoparticle-based techniques are now applied in water purification through methods like adsorption, membrane-based filtration, and photocatalysis.¹⁶

Iron-based nanoparticles, such as iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs), are used as adsorbents to remove heavy metals and organic pollutants from wastewater. These nanoparticles selectively adsorb contaminants, making removal easier through sedimentation or filtration.¹⁷

Graphene oxides and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been utilized to remove pharmaceutical waste and other pollutants from water.¹⁸ Companies like Xylem are advancing these technologies; for example, its novel filtration system uses nanomaterials to remove organic and inorganic pollutants, helping to provide clean water.¹⁹

Through these methods, nanotechnology supports efforts in water resource preservation and environmental sustainability.

Nanotechnology’s Future Role Across Industries

Nanotechnology is positioned to make a significant impact across industries, especially in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and electronics. However, challenges such as addressing nanomaterial toxicity in the human body, creating efficient nano-catalysts, and advancing chip manufacturing for room-temperature quantum computing remain areas for further research.

The use of nanotechnology to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also widely acknowledged. With ongoing investment from global stakeholders, nanotechnology will play an increasingly central role in future scientific and industrial progress.

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References and Further Reading

1. Nagham, M., et al. (2024). Nanotechnology and its Applications in Industry and Product Design. Journal of Textiles, Coloration and Polymer Science. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/jtcps.2024.258215.1251
2. Malik, S., et al. (2023). Nanotechnology: A Revolution in Modern Industry. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020661
3. Ben Machine Products. (2024). The Impact of Nanotechnology on CNC Machining Processes and Materials. [Online] Ben Machine Products. Available at: https://benmachine.com/blog/cnc-machining-with-nanotechnology/
   (Accessed on: October 02, 2024)
4. BI Sate Rubber. (2024). The Role of Nanotechnology in Manufacturing. [Online] BI Sate Rubber. Available at: https://bistaterubber.com/the-role-of-nanotechnology-in-modern-manufacturing/ (Accessed on: October 03, 2024)
5. Lykiardopoulou, L. (2024). Delft startup bags €6.5M for nanotech that enables material discovery in 1 year. [Online] The Next Web. Available at: https://thenextweb.com/news/delft-startup-nanotech-material-discovery-1-year
   (Accessed on: October 03, 2024)
6. Ryanix, L. (2024). Nanotechnology in Electronics: The Next Big Thing. [Online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@luke.ryanix/nanotechnology-in-electronics-the-next-big-thing-2bf43ef83cc9#:~:text=Nanotechnology%20improves%20electronic%20devices%20by,with%20traditional%20materials%20and%20techniques (Accessed on: October 03, 2024)
7. Ekanayake, U., et al. (2023). Revisiting semiconductor heat management through nanotechnology. [Online] Phys.org. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2023-03-revisiting-semiconductor-nanotechnology.html (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
8. IBM (2024). Nanotechnology. [Online] IBM. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/history/nanotechnology (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
9. Ganguly, S., et al. (2024). Graphene-based nanotechnology in the Internet of Things: a mini review. Discover Nano. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024-04054-0
10. Nikolova, M., et al. (2020). Nanotechnology in medicine. Drug discovery and evaluation: methods in clinical pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68864-0_45
11. Gupta, N., et al. (2021). Nanomedicine technology and COVID-19 outbreak: Applications and challenges. Journal of Industrial Integration and Management. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2424862221500123
12. Malik, S., et al. (2023). Nanotechnology: A Revolution in Modern Industry. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020661
13. Lattice Medical. (n.d.). About Us. [Online] Lattice Medical. Available at: https://www.lattice-medical.com/en/tissue-engineering-and-biomaterials-about-us (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
14. Japan Tissue Engineering Company (2024). Regenerative Medicine Business. [Online] Japan Tissue Engineering. Available at: https://www.jpte.co.jp/en/business/regenerative/index.html (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
15. BioTissue (n.d.). Our Company. [Online] BioTissue. Available at: https://biotissue.com/about-us/our-company/ (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
16. Chausali, N., et al (2023). Nanotechnology as a sustainable approach for combating the environmental effects of climate change. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100541
17. Olawade, B., et al. (2024). Nanoparticles for microbial control in water: mechanisms, applications, and ecological implications. Frontiers in Nanotechnology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnano.2024.1427843
18. Thakur, A., et al. (2024). Adsorptive removal of heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals: carbon-based nanomaterials in focus. Carbon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118621
19. Nano Science, Technology, and Industry Scoreboard (2023). Nanotech Innovators Aim to give Access to Clean Water: Discover Nanotechnology's Growing Impact on Public Health and Sustainability. [Online]. Available at: https://statnano.com/news/72589/Nanotech-Innovators-Aim-to-give-Access-to-Clean-Water-Discover-Nanotechnology's-Growing-Impact-on-Public-Health-and-Sustainability (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)
20. National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (2023). The tiny ten: Experts weigh in on the top 10 challenges remaining for nanoscience & nanotechnology. [Online] Science.org. Available at: https://www.science.org/content/resource/tiny-ten-experts-weigh-top-10-challenges-remaining-nanoscience-nanotechnology (Accessed on: October 04, 2024)

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