Nanotechnology Branches-out

2010-10-14

Manipulating matter at the nanoscale was once restricted to the realm of scientific research and academic discussion. Today, nano-engineered products, while not obvious to most consumers, are becoming increasingly prevalent in the marketplace.

From everyday items like clothing which contain nanoparticles that render fabric stain-free, to larger scale applications for water treatment—where nanoscale water filtration allows industry to re-use recycled water and, consume less fresh water—there are countless applications of nanotechnology including many significant ones within the drug delivery arm of medicine.

Nanotechnology is an umbrella term that refers to any process, technique or technology that involves the manipulation of matter between one and 100 nanometres. A nanometre (nm) is equal to one-billionth of a metre. A red blood cell is a million times larger than one nm and a single DNA strand measures just two nm’s wide.

Canada is in a unique position, due to its distinct geographical landscape and abundant natural resource supply, to further integrate nanotechnology and capitalize on its vast potential to support the forestry sector.

Canada’s landscape is made up of almost 400 million hectares of forest, housing 10 per cent of the world’s forests. As the world’s largest exporter of forestry products, this industry makes up 1.7 per cent of Canada’s GDP (2009, Natural Resources Canada). Recently, the federal government and the province of Québec pledged $20 million to go towards the Domtar Corp. pulp and paper mill in Windsor, Québec. The investment will facilitate the integration of nanotechnology into the forestry industry.

Dr. Richard Berry, a leading nanotechnology scientist at FPInnovations and Domtar partner says “nanotechnology in the forest sector will diversify the market for cellulosic materials and allow the use of cellulose in a new wide range of products and in new types of paper.”

“The value of these specialty products will complement the traditional commodity uses of pulp to enhance the profitability and the growth of those forest sector companies who participate in these opportunities,” he says.

Nanoscience is a relatively new domain that is interested in the different behaviours and unique properties that materials can take on at the nanoscale. The resulting change in behaviour is the key to why scientists are interested in nanotechnology—using existing materials to create new products that are better, lighter, stronger and at times, cheaper to produce.

“Nanotechnology will play an important role in ensuring the efficiencies of our firms through better process technologies, better sensor technologies and better materials for our industrial production capabilities—whether in exploiting wood fibres, or producing manufactured products from the wood itself,” said Dr. Clive Willis, the chair of the terminology working group of the international technical committee responsible for developing standards on nanotechnology (ISO/TC 229).

The forestry industry has faced serious economic challenges and a general decrease in the demand for woodbased products in recent years, due to the economic downturn. Forestry-related advances in nanotechnology could help alleviate some of those challenges by enabling the production of materials that are more efficient to manufacture and subsequently, more cost-effective to purchase.

The potential of nanotechnology in the forestry industry can be seen in the production of nanocrystaline cellulose, an abundant biological renewable and sustainable nanomaterial that can be extracted from trees. This material, in one form or another, can be used in dozens of sectors from the making of cosmetics, to construction materials and even bio-plastics.

Treating wood with nano-sized coatings and laminate particles can prevent natural enemies such as decay, moisture and harmful UV rays from normal wood deterioration, increasing the material’s longevity.

Other commercial applications include the ability to manufacture specialized paper products. Producing electricity-conducive paper using nanotechnology can be used in the manufacturing of electronic equipment such as transistors and other communication devices. The use of ‘smart’ paper in these devices would drive down production costs.

Industry standards for nanotechnology are proving more complicated to develop, given that nanotechnology affects so many other industries and sectors. According to Dr. Willis, before industry-specific standards can be produced, determining the language will be crucial, which establishes a foundation to build international standards and regulations that can be harmonized worldwide.

“It is essential to the emergence of a coherent scientific literature in the field, to the description and patenting of new discoveries, to all the legal contracting required for commerce in industries using nanotechnology, and for the development of governmental regulations of products containing nanomaterials so that public safety is ensured,” said Willis.

Canada plays a unique role as a participating member in the international nanotechnology committee (ISO/TC 229). The chair of Canada’s advisory committee, Dr. Roland Hosein explains that while the standards development process is an open and transparent one, since nanotechnology is an evolving science, developing standards for it presents a unique set of challenges.

“Creating the language takes time because [the science] is evolving. Every scientist has an opinion and these have to be considered before you can tighten and peg terminology,” said Hosein. “A lot of companies are already putting out products enhanced by nanotechnology. The industry is moving forward, and we have to find a faster way to develop standards.”

Willis believes Canada’s nanotechnology strategy must take advantage of its strengths.

“Given the importance of standards in today’s world trade, Canada’s leading capacity for participating in the setting of international standards will be important to our unique position in developing nanotechnology,“ added Willis.

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This article first appeared in Volume 37 of CONSENSUS Magazine, 2010. The information it contains was accurate at the time of publication but has not been updated or revised since, and may not reflect the latest updates on the topic. If you have specific questions or concerns about the content, please contact the Standards Council of Canada.

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