Q1. Explain how Nanoscience and Nano-technology have revolutionized modern technology. (2006, 30 Marks)
Answer:
Nanoscience and nanotechnology, the study and manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular level (1-100 nanometers), have sparked a revolution in modern technology. This frontier offers unique properties at the nanoscale, leading to advancements across various sectors.
Impact on Electronics and Computing:
- Miniaturization: Transistors, the building blocks of electronics, have shrunk significantly due to nanotechnology, enabling faster, smaller, and more powerful devices like smartphones and laptops.
- Enhanced Functionality: Nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes offer improved conductivity, leading to faster data transfer and potentially revolutionizing areas like quantum computing.
Revolutionizing Materials Science:
- Tailored Properties: Nanoparticles can be engineered with specific characteristics like strength, conductivity, and reactivity, leading to lighter, stronger materials for aerospace, construction, and sports equipment.
- Self-Assembly: Researchers are exploring ways to program nanoparticles to self-assemble into desired structures, potentially creating new materials with novel properties on demand.
Medical Applications:
- Drug Delivery: Nanoparticles can be used as carriers for targeted drug delivery, increasing efficacy and reducing side effects in cancer treatment and other diseases.
- Diagnostics: Nanosensors can be designed to detect specific biomolecules in the body, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis of diseases.
Energy Sector:
- Solar Cells: Nanostructured materials are improving the efficiency of solar cells, making renewable energy more viable.
- Batteries: Nanotechnology is being explored to develop next-generation batteries with higher capacity and faster charging times for electric vehicles and portable electronics.
Challenges and Considerations:
Despite the immense potential, challenges remain. The environmental impact of nanomaterials and potential health risks need thorough investigation. Additionally, ethical considerations regarding the societal implications of this powerful technology require careful discussion.
Conclusion: Nanoscience and nanotechnology have fundamentally transformed modern technology across diverse fields. As research progresses, these advancements hold immense promise for shaping a future with more efficient, sustainable, and life-saving technologies.
Q2. Explain the term Spintronics (150 words) (2008, 15 Marks)
Answer:
Spintronics, also known as spin electronics, is an emerging field in solid-state physics that explores the potential of electron spin for information processing and device functionality. Traditionally, electronics relies on the charge of electrons. Spintronics adds another dimension by manipulating the electron’s intrinsic spin, a property akin to a tiny magnet, alongside its charge. This offers significant advantages:
- Increased data density: Spin-based devices can potentially store data in both charge and spin states, leading to exponentially higher storage capacities.
- Lower power consumption: Spin manipulation requires less energy compared to traditional charge-based processes, improving device efficiency.
- Faster operation: Spin currents can be manipulated with greater speed than charge currents, enabling faster devices.
While still under development, spintronics holds promise for revolutionizing various sectors, including high-density data storage, magnetic random-access memory (MRAM), and ultra-low power electronics. It’s a rapidly evolving field with the potential to shape the future of electronics.
Q3. What is ‘Nanotech’? Give a brief account of its basic concepts, materials used and applications. (2009, 10 Marks)
Answer:
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, typically defined as 1-100 nanometers (nm). At this level, materials exhibit unique properties due to increased surface area and quantum mechanics effects.
Basic Concepts:
- Bottom-up approach: Building structures atom-by-atom for desired functionalities.
- Top-down approach: Miniaturization of existing technologies to the nanoscale.
Common Materials:
- Carbon nanotubes: Exceptionally strong, lightweight, and conductive.
- Fullerenes: Spherical carbon molecules with unique chemical properties.
- Nanoparticles: Engineered particles with size-dependent properties.
Applications:
- Medicine: Drug delivery, targeted therapies, biosensors.
- Electronics: Miniaturized devices, enhanced conductivity, faster processors.
- Materials Science: Stronger, lighter materials, self-cleaning surfaces, water purification.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field with vast potential for societal advancements.
Q4. What are the fundamental constants and their use in the measurement system? (2002, 15 Marks)
Answer:
Fundamental constants are fixed values in nature that govern various physical phenomena. They play a crucial role in the International System of Units (SI), the modern metric system.
Historically, measurement systems relied on physical objects like the meter bar (length) or the kilogram prototype (mass). These artifacts had limitations – they could deteriorate or be damaged.
The current SI definitions leverage fundamental constants like the speed of light (c) and the Planck constant (h) for defining units. This approach offers several advantages:
- Universality: Fundamental constants are the same everywhere, ensuring consistent measurements across the globe.
- Accuracy: Precise measurements of these constants improve the accuracy of the SI units themselves.
- Stability: These constants are believed to be invariable, eliminating concerns about degradation of physical artifacts.
For instance, the meter is now defined as the distance traveled by light in a specific fraction of a second. This definition ties the meter directly to the constant speed of light (c).
The use of fundamental constants strengthens the SI system, promoting international scientific collaboration and ensuring reliable measurements across diverse fields.
Q5. What is ‘Graphene’? Mention at least three of its applications. (2009, 10 Marks)
Answer:
Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. This unique structure grants it a remarkable combination of properties:
- Exceptional Conductivity: Graphene conducts electricity exceptionally well, even surpassing traditional conductors like copper.
- High Strength and Flexibility: Despite its thinness, graphene is incredibly strong and flexible, making it ideal for lightweight yet durable materials.
- Large Surface Area: The vast surface area of graphene allows for efficient interaction with other materials, opening doors for various applications.
These properties make graphene a material with immense potential in various fields:
- Next-Generation Electronics: Graphene’s conductivity makes it a promising candidate for faster, more efficient transistors in future electronics.
- Composite Materials: Due to its strength and flexibility, graphene can be incorporated into composites to create lighter, stronger materials for aerospace and construction.
- Sensors: Graphene’s high surface area makes it highly sensitive to its environment, enabling the development of advanced sensors for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
Research on graphene is ongoing, with the potential to revolutionize various sectors. Its unique properties continue to spark innovation across scientific disciplines.
Q6. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in the health sector? (150 words) (2020, 10 Marks)
Answer:
Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular scale, holding immense potential for revolutionizing healthcare. Here’s how it is transforming the medical field:
- Early Disease Diagnosis: Nanoparticles can be engineered to detect specific biomarkers associated with diseases like cancer. This facilitates early detection, enabling timely intervention and improved treatment outcomes.
- Targeted Drug Delivery: Drug-loaded nanoparticles can be directed to deliver medication precisely to diseased cells. This minimizes side effects on healthy tissues, leading to more effective and tolerable therapies.
- Regenerative Medicine: Nanoparticles can be used to repair or replace damaged tissues. This offers promising avenues for treating conditions like heart disease and Parkinson’s, promoting tissue regeneration.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to significantly improve healthcare delivery. As research progresses, we can expect even more groundbreaking applications in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
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