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NANOTECHNOLOGY 101 A Primer

NANOTECHNOLOGY 101 A Primer. Kantha Shelke, Ph.D. Natural Product Expo West March 5-8, 2009. OUTLINE. What is nanotechnology? Applications in the market Future applications Safety matters Educational Resources. Properties of materials change drastically at the nanoscale.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY 101 A Primer

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  1. NANOTECHNOLOGY 101A Primer Kantha Shelke, Ph.D. Natural Product Expo West March 5-8, 2009

  2. OUTLINE • What is nanotechnology? • Applications in the market • Future applications • Safety matters • Educational Resources Properties of materials change drastically at the nanoscale.

  3. What is Nanotechnology? • “The art and science of building stuff that does stuff at the nanometer scale” • Mother Nature has dealt adeptly with nutrition at nanoscale. • Intentional modification of matter at the nanoscale level is very recent.

  4. Putting things in perspective < 100 nanometer NANO MACRO 1 nanometer = one billionth of one meter

  5. The uniqueness of nano • Properties of matter change at the nano scale • Zinc, white and opaque in macro form, is transparent in the nano form • New applications for old materials

  6. Applications in the market 580 products worldwide and counting! On-line inventory at http://www.nanotechproject.org/44

  7. Food enterprises • Kraft • Nestle • Unilever • Pepsi Co. • Cargill • Mars • BASF • Syngenta • DuPont • Bayer • ~ 60 govts world-wide More bang for the buck! 84 products – that we know of

  8. Applications • Dietary supplements • Nutritional additives • Color additives • Food processing aids • Long-life packaging • Antibacterial kitchenware • Fertilizers and pesticides Source: Aquanova

  9. New materials Light as plastic, strong as steel

  10. Potential Nutritional Benefits • Enhanced nutritional value • Protection of vulnerable nutrients • Improved efficacy of fortification • Enhanced bioavailability – better nutrition • Targeted delivery – targeted nutrition • Safer drinking water

  11. Emerging applications • Interactive, personalized foods • Edible wrappers and packaging • Chemical release packaging • Interactive agrochemicals • Nano manipulation of seeds • Synthetic biology

  12. Transforming junk foods • Reduce sugars and sweeteners • Reduce fat • Enhance fiber • Enhance nutrient content

  13. Making a difference in the world CLEAN & SAFE WATER Anytime, anywhere

  14. SAFETY MATTERSIs nano safe? • Inhalation and ingestion risks • Penetrate skin barriers • Access to tissues and cells • Cross the blood-brain barrier

  15. Toxicity – examples • Nano silver – toxic to rodent liver, brain and stem cells; may harm beneficial bacteria • Nano zinc oxide – toxic to rat and human cells • Nano silicon dioxide – can cause onset of pathology similar to neurodegenerative disorders • Nano titanium dioxide – can damage DNA in human cells, harm alga and water fleas, especially with UV light exposure • Distorts immune system response

  16. Are WE safe? • Inadequate oversight system • Generic deficiencies of regulations • Gaps in regulatory authority • Lack of resources (financial and human) and expertise at regulatory agencies

  17. Public awareness

  18. Nanotechnology will have a profound impact on raw material sourcing for food processing and will radically change how foods will affect our physiology and well-being.

  19. Want to know more? Agriculture and Food kantha@corvusblue.net

  20. Other resources • ETC Group http://www.etcgroup.org • Madison's Nano Cafés http://www.nanocafes.org • Natural Resources Defense Council http://www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/contents.asp • Dr Gregor Wolbring’s website http://www.bioethicsanddisability.org/nanotechnology.html http://www.innovationwatch.com/commentary_choiceisyours.htm • Center for Responsible Nanotechnology http://www.crnano.org/ • Workers Health International News, Hazards Magazine http://www.hazards.org/ • UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering http://www.nanotec.org.uk/

  21. QUESTIONS?

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