Imagine splitting a single strand of hair into 8,000 pieces - that is approximately the size of a nanoparticle.
According to Assoc Prof Dr Ong Boon Hoong from University of Malaya, nanotechnology is an emerging science that is helping considerably to improve and even revolutionise many aspects technology and industry sectors.
“Information technology, homeland security, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety, environmental science are among the sectors may leverage from this nanotechnology.
“It can change our lives, from how we clean our house and cars, to the food we eat, it certainly makes our work easier and also reduce our cost because nano materials uses less substance,” said Dr Ong.
How does it work?
The technology of ‘splitting’ or ‘cutting’ materials into nanoscale has opened opportunities for science, engineering and technology to be conducted at a nanoscale and create designs such as nanowires, nanotubes, heterostructures and nanocomposites.
“There are two ways to create nanomaterials; first, top-down and second, bottom up. With the first method, top-down, we use a high speed electron or ion, or laser beam to “cut” materials into nanoscale. While the second method, bottom-up, is a chemical approach by mixing two more more precursors in solution to grow nanomaterials.
“Either way, the idea of breaking materials into nanoparticles basically is controlling the size and shape of the nanoparticle,
“It’s about the understanding of the available material out there, what are their specifics and properties of the nanomaterial to suit the application,” Dr Ong said.
He explained that the nanoparticle we use for solar energy conversion might be the same, however the size and shapes are different.
Example of Nanotechnology application:
Healthcare Industry - Gold nanoparticles are widely used as hyperthermia agent in Cancer treatments. It can also enhance the MRI image for better diagnosis.
Clean Water - Nanoscaled photocatalysts such as Titanium Dioxide have superb efficiency to clean the wastewater by using light.
Clean energy - Titanium Dioxide based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)
Construction - Nanoparticle fillers to enhance the the strength yet lighten the concrete.
Dr Ong believes nanotechnology is crucial for Malaysia to move forward. It has a huge impact on technological developments over the decades to come and also likely to impact the society.
Despite good opportunities Nanotechnology can offer, he said that this technology also comes with potential risks which needs careful assessment in order to impact our lives in a more sustainable way.
Dania Zainuddin
Fri Mar 24 2017
Despite good opportunities Nanotechnology can offer, Dr. Ong says this technology also comes with potential risks which needs careful assessment in order to impact our lives in a more sustainable way.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Misi sekali lagi ditangguhkan, dijangka berlepas pada Jumaat
Ketika ini lokasi kapal memulakan pelayaran akan ditukarkan ke satu lokasi yang akan diumumkan dalam masa terdekat.
Pihak produksi masih terima Naim Daniel jika ubah fikiran
Ketua saluran Astro Ria, Norzeha Mohd Salleh memberitahu bahawa pihak produksi masih lagi memberi ruang kepada penyanyi tersebut untuk mempertimbangkan semula tawaran yang diberikan.
The Hardest Singing Show cabar kreativiti penyanyi tempatan
Program The Hardest Singing Show mencari satu juara yang mampu menyahut cabaran kreativiti luar limitasi.
Pekerja Ahli Parlimen EU disyaki jadi pengintip China
Polis Jerman telah menahan seorang pekerja ahli politik Parlimen Eropah Alternative for Germany (AfD) kerana disyaki menjadi pengintip China.
Amaran ribut hujan tahap tertinggi dikeluarkan di Guangdong, selatan China
Lebih 100,000 orang sudah dipindahkan akibat hujan lebat dan banjir yang boleh membawa maut di selatan China.
Jokowi dan anaknya bukan lagi ahli PDIP
Presiden Indonesia Joko Widodo atau Jokowi dan anaknya, bakal naib presiden Gibran Rakabuming Raka, bukan lagi ahli parti terbesar negara itu selepas mereka menyokong calon pesaing yang juga pemenang pilihan raya Prabowo Subianto.
Lima migran maut ketika cuba memasuki Perancis
Lima termasuk seorang kanak-kanak, maut dalam cubaan menyeberangi Selat Inggeris dari Perancis pada Selasa.
Polis New York lakukan penahanan himpunan lewat malam
Polis New York bertindak melakukan penahanan membabitkan peserta yang terlibat dalam himpunan solidariti terhadap Palestin di Universiti New York (NYU) pada lewat malam Isnin. Penahanan itu dibuat selepas mereka didakwa mengingkari arahan amaran pihak universiti untuk bersurai dan mengosongkan plaza yang menjadi tempat mereka berkumpul.
Break The Siege: Ada kemungkinan lokasi pelepasan kapal ditukar
Jawatankuasa Pemandu Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar memaklumkan, wujud kemungkinan lokasi pelabuhan bagi pelepasan kapal yang terlibat dalam misi Break the Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla ditukar.
Benarkan syarikat milik bukan Islam cetak Al-Quran, pengarah syarikat didenda
Seorang pengarah syarikat percetakan dijatuhi hukuman denda RM8,000 atau penjara lima bulan oleh Mahkamah Majistret Petaling Jaya pada Selasa selepas mengaku salah tidak mematuhi syarat-syarat lesen untuk mencetak atau menerbitkan Teks al-Quran, bulan lepas.