Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the application of the science of the small, less than 100nm in dimension,  of which a nanoparticle is defined as having 3 dimensions, a nanotube as having 2 dimensions, and a nanosurface as having 1 dimension.

Where is Nanotechnology applied?

Nanotechnology is not new. There are a number of natural and engineered in existence at present for example bone, carbon black and Titanium Dioxide in sun creams. In manufacturing processes such as grinding can lead to a small percentage of produced material that falls below 100nm.

The semiconductor industry has been operating within the nanoscale for many years, and the catalyst industry is moving towards the nanoscale as increases in surface area give rise to increased activity. The novel properties (e.g. increased surface area, and changes in optical, magnetic and electrical properties) exhibited by nanoscaled structures/particles are becoming increasingly understood enabling exploitation of features at the nanoscale to improve existing products and the potential to bring new products on to the market across a wide range of sectors.

These can be applied to address a number of societal challenges faced in today's world.

The Technology Strategy Board supports an approach which harnesses the potential possibilities of Nanotechnology. It does not include a study into Microtechnologies that are often working towards the nanoscale.

Nanotechnology - the context

The UK Government first initiated a Nanotechnology programme of work in 1986, the National Initiative on Nanotechnology, led by the National Physical Laboratory. 

This was followed by a LINK Nanotechnology programme between 1988 and 1996. There was no further significant nanotechnology programme in the UK until 2001, when the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) asked an expert group, led by the then Director General of the Research Councils, Sir John Taylor, to examine the potential impact of nanotechnology and nanoscience on industry in the UK. 

Published in 2002, The Taylor Report highlighted a number of key obstacles to successful exploitation of nanotechnology and made recommendations on how these might be overcome. 

In July 2004, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RS/RAEng) published the report "Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies:Opportunities and Uncertainties.

The report was highly influential internationally and led to the UK being seen as a world leader in its engagement with nanotechnologies. The message from this report was that the UK was not matching the spend on commercialisation of technology with underpinning issues of Health and Safety and metrology.that the UK was losing its ground in terms of underpinning issues of Health and Safety funding. 

Publications for Nanotechnology

BSI British Standards has published nine documents for nanotechnology terminology and guidance for UK industry, addressing nanotechnology terminology, health and safety issues and product labelling.

To download these free documents go to www.bsigroup.com/nano