Nanotechnology provides a promise of positively contributing to global sustainability challenges, by providing interesting solutions such as water purification, energy efficiency, cheaper versions for solar energy, and solar panel development. In addition, nanotechnology plays an important role in health care through nanomedicine, nanorobots, nano health care challenges, nano‐pharmacogenomics solutions to chronic diseases, nanoscaffolds, noninvasive surgeries, and so on.
Some challenges posed by nanotechnology are developing sustainable nanotechnology, to deal with potential ecological and health effects of nanotechnology on human health and to design nanotechnology‐based products with minimal environment adverse impact.
This book by Dr(s) Yashwant Pathak, Govindan Parayil, and Jayvadan Patel addresses many of these issues and provides nanotechnology‐based research priorities for global sustainability to improving sustainability and methods for development of various biobased products using sustainable nano biocomposites. Some chapters have also glimpses of novel approaches to design eco‐friendly material based on natural nanomaterials.
I congratulate the editors to bring out this compilation addressing sustainable nanotechnology their strategies, products, and applications.
I am sure that the readers will find this book very useful for improving their understanding about sustainable nanotechnology and to plan further research in the field of nanotechnology.
With best wishes to the editors and all the chapter authors.
Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh K. Goyal
Vice Chancellor
Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, India
1 Nanotechnology‐Based Research Priorities for Global Sustainability
Twishi Puri1, Yashwant Pathak2,3, and Govindan Parayil4
1 Department of Biology, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA, USA
2 Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
3 Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
4 Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
1.1 Introduction
Sustainable development is not a newly constructed idea. Since the 1970s, conversations about this particular field have been fueled by the fear that the world cannot sustain an immense growth in human population and economic activities without damaging the environment and our social fabric. Concerns that at some point in the not too distant future, we will reach a “limit to growth” prompted policy‐makers to urgently seek solutions for global sustainability, a concept that is so vast that it is subject to various interpretations. The vastness of the topic, however, still generates three aspects that global sustainability can affect. There is a global consensus that is agreed upon by the general public and the business community at large that environmental responsibility, economic efficiency, and social equity are necessary conditions for attaining global sustainability. Environmental responsibility, as the name suggests, is concerned with the conservation of resources – i.e. food, water, energy, etc. and safe methods of disposal of waste products of all forms. Likewise, economic efficiency focuses on resource production and meeting the demands of the market place. It is concerned with open trade and no inhibition in terms of the allocation of resources for production. Social equity, on the other hand, is concerned with the distribution of resources based on the productivity of an individual or an organization. In other words, social equity allows people to make decisions and ensures that the rewards that they get are based upon their efforts [1]. So, why address sustainability? Today, concerns for maintaining sustainability have increased, especially among the younger generation. Concerns about the availability of natural resources and the safe and efficient disposal of the by‐products of our production and consumption practices have added urgency to transitioning to a sustainable future. Consequently, finding solutions to these concerns have focused on using innovative science and technology applications. Therefore, applying nanotechnological research to maintain global sustainability has become a priority [2].
Nanotechnology refers to understanding and control of the material at the nanoscale. For reference, a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. The field was introduced almost half a century ago and, over time, it has established itself as an active research area [3]. It incorporates nanoscale science, engineering, and technology – three very useful fields with various applications. At the nanoscale, materials show unusual biological, physical, and chemical properties. In fact, according to quantum theory, nanomaterials, with size being within the range of 1 and 250 nm, lie between the quantum effects of atoms, molecules, and the bulk properties of materials. This nanoscale is known as the “no‐man’s‐land” where their properties are controlled by the phenomenon that has its own critical dimensions. The structure of nanoparticles can be manipulated to produce materials with desired properties. Using nanomaterials with these unusual properties gives us an opportunity to enhance existing technology with profound features that have technical, economic, and societal implications [4]. Advocates of nanotechnology claim that the combinations of nanotechnology with various fields such as information technology, biotechnology, and cognitive sciences produce far‐reaching advances. In terms of global sustainability, nanotechnology’s influence in various areas can change the future of our efforts for sustainability [5].
There are many fields in which incorporating nanotechnology can lead us to global sustainability. The three focus areas are the environment, the economy, and society. There are various fields in which nanotechnological research has already affected the growth. This chapter focuses on the fields of medicine, food, environment, health, and industry. These fields fall perfectly under the three focus areas of global sustainability. The nanotechnology‐based research done under these fields has not only enhanced them but also made them safe and sustainable.
1.2 Medicine
Medicine and nanotechnology, for the most part, go hand in hand. Whether it is the field of surgery or drug delivery, nanotechnological research has been very much involved in revolutionizing medicine. The growing interest in medical applications of nanotechnology has resulted in the emergence of the field popularly known as nanomedicine. Nanomedicine refers to applying nanoscale biotechnology to medicine. It allows us to use nanotechnology to improve the human biological system as well as create powerful tools for treating human diseases. In terms of sustainability, nanomedicine’s aim is to improve the overall quality of life by working at a molecular level to target diseases and formulate treatments [6].
1.2.1 Nano Oncology
Cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell division and has the tendency to spread to other regions of the body. Healthy cells can be converted to tumor cells with the right combination, or in this case, the wrong combination of genes and environmental factors. According to the statistics published by the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), in 2018, there were 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths, the leading cause being lung, bowel, prostate, and female breast cancer [7].
Over the past several decades, nanotechnology has made magnificent contributions to oncology, not just in terms of diagnosis but also regarding drug delivery for treatment. Specifically, in cancer therapy, the use of nanomaterials has allowed the development of targeted drug delivery, enhanced the properties of therapeutic molecules, and developed a sustainable or stimulus‐triggered
