1. GREEN NANOTECHNOLOGY - A step towards a better world.!
Nanotechnology is the study and design of machines on the molecular and atomic level. To be
considered nanotechnology, these structures must be somewhere from1 to 100 nanometers in
size. It is the collective term for a range of technologies, techniques and processes that involve
the manipulation of matter at the smallest scale (from 1 to 100 nanometers- 1/10,000th the
thickness of human hair).Nanotech means that each atom of a machine is a functioning structure
on its own, but when combined with other structures, these atoms work together to fulfill a larger
purpose.
This is an emerging trade of science. Its uses and significance can be found in almost all the
fields of life. Starting from medicine to computers, civil engineering to architecture, our daily
use things like cosmetics, water purifier to car engines etc.
Due to this large range of its uses nanotechnology needs to be environmental friendly, safe,
biodegradable and less toxic to living organisms (we don’t want to disturb balance of nature. Do
we?). So considering these aspects, the word “green nanotechnology” comes to existence.
Green nanotechnology is the development of clean technologies, "to minimize potential
environmental and human health risks associated with the manufacture and use of
nanotechnology products, and to encourage replacement of existing products with new nano-
products that are more environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle.”
Green Nanotechnology has two goals:
1) producing nanomaterials and products without harming the environment or human health, and
2) producing nano-products that provide solutions to environmental problems.
It uses existing principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering to make nanomaterials and
nano-products without toxic ingredients, at low temperatures using less energy and renewable
inputs wherever possible, and using lifecycle thinking in all design and engineering stages.
Some examples of use of green nanotechnology are-
1) nanoscale membranes can help separate desired chemical reaction products from waste
materials.
2) Nanoscale catalysts can make chemical reactions more efficient and less wasteful.
3) Sensors at the nanoscale can form a part of process control systems, working with nano-
enabled information systems.

2. 4) Using alternative energy systems, made possible by nanotechnology, is another way to
"green" manufacturing processes.
The second goal of Green Nanotechnology involves developing products that benefit the
environment either directly or indirectly. Nanomaterials can clean hazardous waste sites,
desalinate water, treat pollutants, or sense and monitor environmental pollutants. Indirectly,
lightweight nanocomposites for automobiles and other means of transportation could save fuel
and reduce materials used for production; nanotechnology-enabled fuel cells and light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) could reduce pollution from energy generation and help conserve fossil fuels;
self-cleaning nanoscale surface coatings could reduce or eliminate many cleaning chemicals; and
enhanced battery life could lead to less material use and less waste. Green Nanotechnology takes
a broad systems view of nanomaterials and products, ensuring that unforeseen consequences are
minimized and that impacts are anticipated throughout the full life cycle
One of the major fields in which naontechnology has been showing its boom is medicine. The
technology is being used in targeted drug delivery to treat cancer as well in anti ageing creams.
Scientists have been working on this department since last few years.
Many projects are in progress. Specially metal nanoparticles have been shown to have anti-
microbial properties due to which they are being thoroughly investigated. . In the nano size
regime, metal nanoparticles show noticeable changes in their biological, electrical, optical, and
catalytic properties. In the past decade, the design of metal−polymer hybrid nanocomposite
materials has attracted much attention for their wide applications in several fields from
controlled devices to biomedicine. Application of biopolymer matrix for the synthesis of
nanoparticles is important because of its potential applications in biomedical fields. Since the
inception of green chemistry approaches for sustainable development, finding out green routes
for nanoparticle synthesis has remained a challenge. Furthermore, nanoparticles have been
applied to easy, low-energy pathways for manufacturing industrially important products. Another
befitting application of nanoparticles is in environmental remediation utilizing nanoparticle-
based technologies. Thus, impregnation of nanocatalysts on renewable and nonhazardous
materials (especially biomaterials) has been of immense importance in the present day context.
To conclude, I would say that Green Nanotechnology is a promising field. Large research scope
is still present. All we need to do is to aquaint our talents to the technology and lets contribute
towards building safe and healthy world.