Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.
Subtopic: Science & Technology · Nanotechnology and Nano Mission
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Written within the word limit
208 words · target 200 words · 14 min
Nanotechnology manipulates matter at the scale of a billionth of a metre, where materials acquire novel electrical, optical and mechanical properties. Because it is a cross-cutting, enabling technology touching medicine, energy, electronics and agriculture, it is regarded as one of the defining technologies of the 21st century.
Why it is a key technology
- Enhanced properties: greater strength, conductivity and reactivity at the nanoscale.
- Cross-sectoral: applicable across health, energy, materials, water and electronics.
- Enables miniaturisation and higher efficiency at lower material use.
Salient features of the Nano Mission
Launched in 2007 under the Department of Science and Technology, the Nano Mission is an umbrella programme covering basic research, infrastructure development, human-resource creation and industry application, funding centres of excellence and nano-fabrication facilities across institutions.
Scope in India's development
- Healthcare: targeted drug delivery, diagnostics and cheaper point-of-care devices.
- Water: nano-filters and membranes for affordable purification and arsenic/fluoride removal.
- Energy: efficient solar cells, batteries and catalysts.
- Agriculture: nano-fertilisers and sensors for precision farming.
- Electronics and materials: sensors, coatings and stronger, lighter materials.
Challenges
- Health, safety and environmental risks of nanoparticles; need for regulation and ethics.
- High capital cost and commercialisation gaps.
Harnessed responsibly, nanotechnology can deliver affordable solutions to India's health, water, energy and agricultural challenges, provided research is matched by regulation and industry linkages.
What an examiner expects to see
- Nanotechnology works at ~1-100 nanometre scale where materials gain novel properties.
- It is a cross-cutting enabling technology spanning health, energy, water, agriculture and electronics.
- India's Nano Mission (2007, under DST) is an umbrella programme for research, infrastructure, HR and applications.
- Nano Mission funds centres of excellence, nano-fabrication facilities and human-resource development.
- Health applications: targeted drug delivery, cheaper diagnostics and point-of-care devices.
- Water: nano-membranes/filters for affordable purification and contaminant removal.
- Energy and agriculture: efficient solar cells/batteries, nano-fertilisers and sensors.
- Challenges: toxicity/EHS risks of nanoparticles, regulation gaps, high cost and commercialisation hurdles.
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Nano Mission launched in 2007 under the Department of Science and Technology.
- Nano-membrane water purification for arsenic and fluoride removal in affected districts.
- Nano-scale drug delivery systems in cancer therapy research.
- Nano-fertilisers (e.g., nano urea) for precision nutrient use.
- Centres of Excellence in nanoscience at IITs and IISc.