A nanoscale object moving autonomously over a self assembled microscopic structure has important nano robotics applications

Introduction to
Nanotechnology
Alberto Quiñonez, Ph.D.
Professor
Electronics and Advanced Technologies
Austin Community College
1
Objective
The purpose of this module is to introduce the emerging
nanotechnology field to novices of nanotechnology.
2
Topics
•
Nanotechnology Terms and Definitions
•
History of Nanotechnology
•
Current and Future Trends, Research and Applications
3
Where does your imagination take you?Figure
1.1:
Preface
Is nanotechnology the gateway to the
future for human beings on Earth?
4
Figure 1.3: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character
mentions nanotechnology in “The Terminator 3” movie.
“…its arsenal includes
nanotechnological
transjectors…It can
control other machines.”

Figure 1.2: A nanocar made from a single
molecule.
Emergence
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Nanotechnology Language
•
Nanobio
•
Nanodots
•
Nanowires
•
Nanoelectronics
•
Nanobots
•
Nanomaterials
•
Nanochondria
Yow!
Yow!
Figure 1.4: Searching for nanotechnology.
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Definition
“Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at
dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique
phenomena enable novel applications.”
“Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and
technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring,
modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.”

National Nanotechnology Initiative, 2007
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Figure 1.5: National Nanotechnology Initiative.
Scale of Things—Nanometers
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Internships
Figure 1.6: Sematech nanoscholar interns of Texas.
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Brief History
Figure 1.7: Stained glass windows.
Figure 1.8: Picture of gold nano particles.
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The concepts of nanotechnology are not new to nature or to
mankind. An early example of a manmade nanoprocess is stained
glass.
Brief History, Continued
Figure 1.9: Tokyo Science University.
Birth of Nanotechnology
•
Professor Taniguchi of Tokyo Science
University used the word “nanotechnology”
to describe the science and technology of
processing or building parts with nanometric
tolerances.
•
A nanometer is a unit of length in the metric
system, equal to one billionth of a meter.
Figure 1.10: Equivalent Units
11
Brief History, Continued

Dr. Richard P. Feynman
•
“Why cannot we write the entire 24
volumes of the Encyclopedia
Britannica on the head of a pin?”

Dr. Richard Feynman, one of
America’s most notable physicists,
1918-1988.
Figure 1.11: Richard Feynman.
12
Brief History Continued,
Dr. Feynman, Continued
•
“The problems of chemistry and
biology can be greatly helped if our
ability to see what we are doing, and
to do things on an atomic level, is
ultimately developed – a
development which I think cannot be
avoided.”

Figure 1.12: Collection of reminiscences by
Nobel Prize-winning physicist.
Surely You’re
Surely You’re
Joking
Joking
Mr. Feynman!
Mr. Feynman!

Adventures of a Curious
Character
By Richard Feynman
13
Brief History, Continued
Atomic Scale
•
A computer image of the
nano ice double helix.
•
In the nano ice image,
oxygen atoms are blue in the
inner helix, purple in the outer
helix. Hydrogen atoms are
white.
Figure 1.13: A nanotechnology self-assembly process.
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More History
Figure 1.15: DNA damage.
Figure 1.14: Drexler’s book.
Engines of Creation
Engines of Creation
The Coming Era
The Coming Era
of Nanotechnology
of Nanotechnology
By K. Eric Drexler
By K. Eric Drexler
Eric Drexler
•

Coined the term “Grey Goo”…the
potential problem of self-replicating and
autonomous artificial intelligence
machines.
15
More History, Continued
Eric Drexler, Continued
Cell Repair Machines
•
“By working along molecule by
molecule and structure by
structure, repair machines will be
able to repair whole cells. By
working along cell by cell and
tissue by tissue, they…will be able
to repair whole organs…they will
restore health.” - Drexler, 1986
Figure 1.16: Stylized example of
targeted cell repair.
16
X
More History, Continued
Figure 1.17: Scanning probe microscope
systems from nanoscience instruments.
Figure 1.18: Scanning tunneling microscope
image.
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Metrology
•
Measurement of equipment is the cornerstone of

nanotechnology.
More History, Continued
Figure 1.19: Carbon-60 buckyball is
shaped like a soccer ball.
Buckyballs
•
Three gentlemen—Harold Kroto from the
University of Sussex, Robert Curl and
Richard Smalley from Rice University—were
awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in
1996 for their discovery of a new composition
of carbon, Carbon 60.
Figure 1.20: Example of Nobel prize
diploma.
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More History, Continued
Figure 1.22: Dome over biosphere in Montreal.
Figure 1.21: A “Buckyball.”
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Fullerenes
•
Carbon 60 was named after Richard Buckminster Fuller, who
went by the nickname “Bucky.”
More History, Continued
Figure 1.23: Moore’s Law. Figure 1.24: Photolithography.
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Top-Down Approach
•
Two approaches used in producing nanotechnology systems.
Top-down method is used by computer chip manufacturers.

More History, Continued
Figure 1.25: An example of a molecular self assembly through hydrogen bonds.
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Bottom-Up Approach
•
Bottom-up approach to manufacturing is analogous to the way
biological systems are made.
Welcome to
Welcome to
NanoWorld!
NanoWorld!
Figure 1.26: Robot image.
Summary
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Nanotechnology is ubiquitous and pervasive. It is an emerging
field in all areas of science, engineering and technology.
References
23
•
American Ceramic Society (2006, March). Overview of Safety, Risks.
American Ceramic Society Bulletin. Vol. 85 Issue 3, p6, 1/6 p.
•
Booker, Richard & Boysen, Earl (2005). Nanotechnology for Dummies. NJ:
Wiley Publishing Inc.
•
Diott, D.D. (2006, April). Thinking big (and small) about energetic materials.
Material Science and Technology. Vol. 22 Issue 4. p. 463, 11p.
•
Drexler, K. Eric (1986). Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of
Nanotechnology. New York: Anchor Books.

•
Henderson, Donald (2006). Bioterrorism: Interview with Donald Henderson.
Asia Pacific Biotech News. Vol. 10, Issue 1, p.18, 9p.
•
Intel (2007). Moore’s Law. Retrieved 7/02/2007 from
/>References, Continued
24
•
Lane, Neal & Kalil, Thomas (2005). The National Nanotechnology Initiative:
Present at the creation. Issues in Science & Technology; Summer 2005. Vol
21, p49, 6p.
•
Lieberman, Marya (2007). Self-assembled monolayers and multilayers of
phthalocyanines. University of Notre Dame: Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry. Retrieved 7/02/2007 from />•
Mandal, Deendayal; Bolander, Mark E.; Mukhopadhyay, Debrabrata;
Sarkar, Gobinda;
•
Mukherjee, Priyabrata (2006, January). The use of Microorganisms for the
formation of metal nanoparticles and their application. Applied Microbiology
and Biotechnology. Vol. 69 Issue 5, p. 485, 8p.
•
Mostow, Jonathan (Director). (2003). Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines
[Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.
References, Continued
25
•
Murday, James F. (2005). Nanotechnology: Hype and Hope in Aerospace
Applications. Advanced Materials and Processes. Vol. 163, Issue 12, P. 21,
2p.

•
Nanotechnology at UT Austin (2007). Graduate Portfolio Program.
Retrieved 6/27/2007 from />•
Nanotechnology Now (2006, March). Nanotechnology documentary to be
filmed at nanoTX'06. Retrieved 7/02/2007 from otech-
now.com/news.cgi?story_id=14281
•
National Nanotechnology Initiative - NNI (2007). What is Nanotechnology?
Retrieved 6/25/2007 from />•
Rappaport, Tatiana Gabriela (2006). Semiconductors: Nanostructures and
applications in spintronics and quantum computation. Vol. 809 issue 1,
p.326, 17p.