Applications of Nanotechnology: Nanomedicine, Textiles, Sustainable Energy, Agriculture, Semiconductors
Science & Technology › Materials Science, Nanotechnology and Robotics · Topic 15.4
Nanotechnology is used in medicine, textiles, energy, agriculture, electronics, water treatment and cosmetics. In nanomedicine, nanoparticles carry drugs straight to tumours, improve imaging, and are used in vaccines, as in the lipid nanoparticles that deliver mRNA. In textiles, silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles give stain resistant, antibacterial and ultraviolet protective fabrics. In sustainable energy, nanomaterials improve solar cells, batteries, fuel cells and catalysts for hydrogen production. In agriculture, nano fertilisers and nano pesticides aim to cut dosage, and India approved nano urea, a liquid fertiliser by IFFCO launched in 2021. In semiconductors, chips are now made at nodes of a few nanometres. Water filters with nanomaterials remove arsenic and microbes.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Materials Science, Nanotechnology and Robotics
At a Glance
- Medicine Targeted drug delivery, imaging
- Textiles Silver and zinc oxide finishes
- Agriculture Nano urea, 2021
- Energy Solar, batteries, catalysts
- Chips Few nanometre nodes
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Materials Science, Nanotechnology and Robotics
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of nanomaterials. It shows where these materials are put to use and prepares for the next topic on the possible harm of nanotechnology. Previous topic: Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Quantum Dots. Next topic: Adverse Health and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology.
How Is Nanotechnology Used in Medicine and Textiles?
| Field | Applications |
|---|---|
| Drug delivery | Nanoparticles, liposomes and polymer carriers deliver drugs to a target such as a tumour with less harm to healthy cells |
| Cancer therapy | Gold nanoparticles can be heated by light to destroy tumour cells, and nanocarriers are used in some chemotherapy drugs |
| Imaging and diagnosis | Quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles improve scans, and gold nanoparticles are used in rapid test strips |
| Vaccines | Lipid nanoparticles carry mRNA in some COVID-19 vaccines |
| Tissue engineering | Nanofibre scaffolds help to grow tissue and heal wounds |
| Antibacterial textiles | Silver nanoparticles kill bacteria and reduce odour in fabrics and bandages |
| Stain and water repellent | Nanoscale coatings on fibres copy the lotus effect. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide give ultraviolet protection |
How Is It Used in Energy, Agriculture and Electronics?
- Solar cells: quantum dots, nanowires and perovskite layers raise efficiency and lower cost
- Batteries and supercapacitors: nanostructured electrodes of silicon, graphene or lithium compounds give higher capacity and faster charging
- Hydrogen and fuel cells: nanocatalysts such as platinum nanoparticles speed up reactions and reduce the amount of costly metal
- Nano urea: a liquid fertiliser with nitrogen in nanoparticles about 20 to 50 nm, developed by IFFCO, launched in 2021 and promoted to cut conventional urea use. A half litre bottle is claimed to replace a bag of urea; efficiency results are debated
- Nano pesticides and sensors: slow release formulations and sensors to detect soil moisture, disease and residues
- Water treatment: nanomaterials remove arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals and bacteria, and Indian institutes developed low cost filters
- Semiconductors: transistors are made at nodes of a few nanometres using extreme ultraviolet lithography
- Cosmetics and food: titanium dioxide in sunscreens and nanoencapsulation of nutrients
What Else Should You Remember?
- Targeted therapy: ligands on nanoparticles bind to receptors of diseased cells
- Theranostics: particles that both diagnose and treat
- Blood brain barrier: nanocarriers may help drugs to cross it
- Wound dressings: silver based dressings help burn and ulcer care
- Smart textiles: fabrics with sensors for health monitoring
- Self-cleaning glass: titanium dioxide coating breaks down dirt in sunlight
- Nano urea approvals: it was included in the Fertiliser Control Order in 2021, and a nano DAP followed in 2023
- Urea subsidy link: India imports fertiliser and subsidises urea, so lower use saves money and reduces runoff
- Precision agriculture: nanosensors and drones help to apply inputs only where needed
- Food packaging: nanoclay films extend shelf life
- Environmental clean up: iron nanoparticles help to treat polluted groundwater
- Oil recovery: nanofluids improve oil extraction
- Construction: nano silica makes stronger and more durable concrete
- Defence: lighter armour, sensors and stealth coatings
- Electronics: memory chips, flexible displays and sensors depend on nanomaterials, as in Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Quantum Dots
- Indian semiconductor push: the India Semiconductor Mission supports fabrication, but advanced nodes need global technology partners
- Regulation: nano products need safety review, as in Adverse Health and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology
- Nanomedicine regulation: drugs with nanocarriers are approved after safety and efficacy tests by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
- Antimicrobial coatings: nanoparticle coatings on hospital surfaces and masks reduce the spread of microbes
- Nanosensors for food: sensors detect spoilage or adulteration in food
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Medicine: drug delivery, mRNA vaccine carriers
- Agriculture: nano urea by IFFCO, 2021
- Energy: solar, battery, catalysts
- Current affairs link: nano DAP and semiconductor fabs
- Common errors: saying nano urea is a solid fertiliser or developed by ICAR
As an analytical point, nano applications can cut input use in farms, improve treatment in clinics and raise efficiency in energy. Evidence on field performance and safety must keep pace with fast commercial launches.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Health Targeted drugs
- Farm Nano urea
- Energy Better cells
What Came Next?
The next topic covers adverse health and environmental impacts of nanotechnology. Next topic: Adverse Health and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology.
Key People and Terms
- Nanocarrier Particle carrying a drug
- Lipid nanoparticle Fat based delivery particle
- Nano urea Liquid nanoparticle nitrogen
- Theranostics Diagnosis plus therapy
- Lotus effect Water repelling surface
- Nanocatalyst Catalyst at nanoscale
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Nano urea launched 2021 by IFFCO.
- Nano DAP followed in 2023.
- mRNA vaccines use lipid nanoparticles.
- Silver nanoparticles are antibacterial.
- Chips now at a few nanometre nodes.
Do Not Confuse With
- Nano urea and urea Liquid nanoparticle fertiliser versus granular urea
- Drug delivery and diagnosis Carrying drugs versus detecting disease
- Lotus effect and Gecko effect Water repellence versus adhesion
Memory Hook
Nano carries drugs, nano coats cloth, nano urea sprays leaf, nano shrinks the chip.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for specific uses and products. These points help.
- Health Delivery
- Farm Input saving
- Concern Safety
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the applications of nanotechnology in health, agriculture and energy with examples from India.”
How to Answer
- Health Delivery.
- Agriculture Nano urea.
- Energy Cells, batteries.
- Safety Regulation.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is nanomedicine?
Nanomedicine is the use of nanoscale particles and devices for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. Examples include nanoparticles that carry drugs directly to tumours, quantum dots for imaging, nanofibre scaffolds for wound healing and the lipid nanoparticles that deliver mRNA in some vaccines.
What is nano urea?
Nano urea is a liquid fertiliser in which nitrogen is present as nanoparticles of about 20 to 50 nanometres, sprayed on leaves. Developed by IFFCO and launched in 2021, it is meant to reduce the use of conventional urea. Its yield effects have been studied and debated by scientists.
How is nanotechnology used in textiles?
Nanoparticles of silver give antibacterial and odour free fabrics, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide give ultraviolet protection, and nanoscale coatings make cloth stain or water repellent in the way a lotus leaf is. Sensors woven into smart textiles can also monitor health.
How does nanotechnology help in energy?
Nanomaterials raise the efficiency of solar cells, increase the capacity and charging speed of batteries and supercapacitors, and make better catalysts for fuel cells and hydrogen production. They can also improve insulation and lower the loss of energy in devices.
What is the role of nanotechnology in semiconductors?
Modern chips are made with transistor features only a few nanometres in size, using extreme ultraviolet lithography, so nanotechnology is basic to the semiconductor industry. New nanomaterials such as graphene and nanotubes are also studied for future transistors and memory.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Nano urea was launched by IFFCO in 2021.
A liquid nanoparticle fertiliser.
2 Lipid nanoparticles are used to deliver mRNA in some vaccines.
As carriers.
3 Silver nanoparticles are used in textiles for antibacterial effect.
They reduce odour.
4 Nano urea is a granular solid fertiliser.
It is a liquid.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Materials Science, Nanotechnology and Robotics. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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