Prospect of nanotechnology: A brief review

Abstract

Department of Physics, Achhruram Memorial College, Jhalda, Purulia-723 202, West Bengal, India Central Research Facility, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721 302, West Bengal, India Departmentof Physics, University of Gour Banga, Malda-732 103, West Bengal, India Department of Chemistry, Abhedananda Mahavidyalaya, Sainthia-731 234, Birbhum, West Bengal, India School of Applied Science and Humanities, Haldia Institute of Technology, Haldia-721 657, West Bengal, India Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai-600 036, India <em>E</em>-<em>mail:</em> [email protected] <em>Manuscript received online 18 November 2020, revised and accepted 30 November 2020</em> Nanotechnology has offered a great improvement in science, engineering, medicine, biomedical engineering, food technol­ogy, packing technologies, clothes, robotics, and computing from the beginning of twenty-first century. As the maximum po­tential of scientific discovery always contains some good and bad effects in human civilization, nanotechnology is not an ex­ception among them. The major drawbacks consist of economic disruption and possible threats to security, privacy, health, and environmental hazards, etc. The advancements and benefits of nanotechnology are discussed along with different draw­backs in health-related problems due to their extensive application in medicine, food, agriculture, etc., are summarized. Be­sides, it highlights the social-economic disruption due to rapid use of nanotechnology. The nanopollution, not only affects hu­man beings but also influences the existence of other living beings like microorganisms, animals and plants, which are also briefly reviewed. The safety and security of nanotechnological developments, current policies, regulation status, challenges and future trends using nanomaterials in humans are demonstrated. In conclusion, while nanotechnology offers more efficient power sources, faster and modern kinds of computers and life-saving medical treatments but some negative issues and limi­tations are prominent due to their toxicity. Finally, rapid research on nanotechnology bounds to think twice before any ad­vanced technological applicationson its safety and security aspect will revolutionize the whole world in near future.