Nanosensors — Functions, Uses, and Improvements
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In today’s world, technology has taken over our day-to-day lives. Technology can refer to simple contraptions, like the toaster in your kitchen. However, it can also be quite complex, specifically delving into the branch of nanotechnology. Rapid growth since the 1980s has shown how quickly our society has been advancing in this ever-growing technological era. It is without a doubt that the increasing usage of nanotechnology will play a major role in the future of our technological breakthroughs.
Nanotechnology — a branch of technology involved in the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules in dimensions of less than 100 nanometers. It seems crazy, right? Such an idea can only be visualized in Marvel’s Ant-Man, where the protagonist has the ability to alter the subatomic particles that are capable of adding or reducing the mass and scale of his suit. In turn, nanotechnology can reorder anything atom by atom into something revolutionary.
The name “Nanotechnology” is quite simply put, technology on a minuscule scale. The “Nano” in the name is a prefix in measurement; one nanometre is merely one billionth of a meter. To take this into consideration, a sheet of paper is approximately 100,000 nanometres thick and an atom is about one-tenth of a nanometre. So what are we using nanotechnology for? Nanotechnology is working on atomic arrangements, meaning that it can create, shape, and mold its form into anything we need. It works by altering the positions of atoms in order to reorganize atomic structures, thus creating anything at an unimaginably small scale. Nanotechnology has secured a significant role within our sciences, from the construction of materials and military goods to even helping treat disease and prevent health issues.
In the realm of nanotechnology, there is a particular topic becoming more and more relevant in our technologically-minded world; Nanosensors. If you think of a normal sensor, they detect movements and reactions. For instance, motion cameras are turned on only when their sensors detect that there is movement within the field of view. Nanosensors are somewhat like normal sensors as they are also used for the same purposes. However, they are used for more sophisticated and precise measures such as being used in airbags for motion detection, or to detect the number of pathogens and heavy metals in a water source. Nanosensors take the abilities of a regular sensor and bring it down to an atomic level, something that a regular sensor would not be capable of doing.
Nanosensors can handle our smallest issues — quite literally. In times where extreme precision and attention is needed, a regular sensor just won't cut it. Now we can see why the usage of nanosensors has been increasing in health-related fields, by detecting the smallest of movements or the slightest concentrations in one's blood. In addition, nanosensors are extremely sensitive and almost always give a more accurate reading than conventional sensors. In recent years, nanosensors have been used for more complex medical purposes such as in-cell disease detection. They are able to detect tumors and anomalies in one’s body. Furthermore, methods of testing blood sugar levels without actually having to draw blood have been in development for diabetes patients. In terms of development, engineers are still in their early stages of unlocking the true potential of nanosensors. This is just a taste of how impactful they can be; the tip of the iceberg.
So how do they work? Simply put, nanosensors work because of the laws of electricity. They can be separated into two major groups: chemical nanosensors and mechanical nanosensors. Mechanical nanosensors handle problems such as movement detection whereas chemical nanosensors deal with concentrations and chemical levels. Mechanical nanosensors work by relying on physical input, which in turn moves the nanosensor. A perfect example of this is found commonly in the MEMS systems in automobiles. When the nanosensor detects even the slightest of movements, it triggers a reaction, thus creating electricity for its functions. Another commonly used form of nanosensors is biological nanosensors. When antibodies bind together, electrical charges are created, thus allowing the nanosensor to perform its duties. On the other hand, chemical nanosensors work because of certain chemical reactions. As a reaction occurs, electricity is created, thus giving the nanosensor an electrical current which then runs up a nanotube or nanowire.
There are two methods used to create nanosensors. The first method is known as top-down nanolithography. This is the oldest method which starts off with a larger and more manageable resource. It then requires you to pick it apart, atom by atom, until you end up with a piece of nanotechnology. The second method is quite the opposite; the bottom-up lithography. Instead of picking apart a material, you build nanotechnology by arranging atoms in order to create a finished product. But what’s the catch? Well, there are many issues with these methods of fabrication. To start, top-down lithography is quite time-consuming. It is also difficult in the perspective that one must pick apart a large material down all the way to an atomic level. This method is not only tedious and slow, but is also hard as it is challenging to bring the material to a microscopic size. This method of nanofabrication takes a long time, making it very hard to do in large numbers.
Although nanotechnology has been facing many issues throughout the years, we still have to take into consideration that it is considered to be in its early stages of development, meaning that it still has a long way to go before it becomes more conventional. The most significant obstacle that it is facing is the construction process. The methods of construction are inefficient, expensive, and extremely time-consuming. As a result, it is difficult to prepare nanotechnology in bulk, thus revoking the idea of mass production. To solve this issue, we need to learn from our surroundings. We need to use methods from different branches of our sciences to examine and find a more effective way of producing these pieces of technology. The reason why humans have been able to advance so quickly is because of how we watch, learn, and improve certain things. We turn to nature for guidance in many of our creations, such as the bird inspiring the plane, or the whale inspiring the flipper. As a result, we must use the laws of physics, biology, and chemistry, in order to gain a better understanding of nanotechnology and to build nanosensors in a more efficient and effective way.
Nanotechnology is a powerful, yet dangerous tool. The microbots in Big Hero 6 are a perfect example of how we must be careful of what we create and how we pioneer this technology. Nanotechnology will surely be a topic worth discovering and improving as the next generation of technological leaders entice themselves with the hidden potentials of this ground-breaking advancement.
