About Book

Nanotechnology is hailed as having the potential to increase the efficiency of energy consumption, help clean the environment and solve major health problems. It is said to be able to massively increase manufacturing production at significantly reduced costs. Nanotechnology is a field of research and innovation concerned with building 'things' - generally, materials and devices - on the scale of atoms and molecules. There has been rapid progress in this field and its applications are finding their way across multiple industries. Assessing the role of nanotechnology and guiding its progression will require cross-sectoral involvement of scientists, governments, civil society organisations and the general public. The book goes on to illustrate the various applications of nanotechnology. It discusses green nanotechnology, active phytochemicals, biopolymers, hydraulic permeability, biomaterials, herbicide resistance and carboxylic acids. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex advancements in the field of nanotechnology. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this field have been included in this book. Scientists and students actively engaged in this field will find this book full of crucial and unexplored concepts.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Nanotechnology and Development of Strain Sensor for Damage Detection.......................................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Sensor fabrication and characterization............................................4

3. Experimental test setup for sensor wires.........................................4

4. Numerical modeling of sensor wire.................................................6

5. Fabrication of composite specimens incorporated with sensor...6

6. Experimental test of composite with sensor wire..........................7

7. Results and discussion.........................................................................8

8. Conclusions..........................................................................................15

Chapter 2 Risks, Uncertainties, and Ethics of Nanotechnology in Agriculture..................................................................................................20

Abstract.................................................................................................20

1. Introduction..........................................................................................20

2. Nano-ecotoxicology and risks...........................................................23

3. Uncertainties of nanotechnology in agriculture............................30

4. Ethical concerns, public awareness and perceptions...................34

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................35

Chapter 3 Nanotechnology in Agriculture: New Opportunities and Perspectives................................................................................................43

Abstract.................................................................................................43

1. Introduction..........................................................................................43

2. New opportunities..............................................................................46

3. Conclusions..........................................................................................58

Acknowledgements.............................................................................59

Conflict of interest..............................................................................59

Chapter 4 Applications of Carboxylic Acids in Organic Synthesis,

Nanotechnology and Polymers..............................................................69

Abstract.................................................................................................69

1. Introduction..........................................................................................70

2. Use of carboxylic acids......................................................................71

3. Conclusion............................................................................................80

Acknowledgements.............................................................................81

Chapter 5 Nanotechnology in Herbicide Resistance...........................................89

Abstract.................................................................................................89

1. Introduction..........................................................................................89

2. Nanoherbicides....................................................................................92

3. Conclusions and future directions...................................................94

Chapter 6 Nature-Inspired Nanotechnology and Smart Magnetic Activation:

Two Groundbreaking Approaches Toward a New Generation of

Biomaterials for Hard Tissue Regeneration.......................................97

Abstract.................................................................................................97

1. Introduction..........................................................................................98

2. Bio-inspired synthesis processes: hybrid bi-omimetic scaffolds

through biomineralization.................................................................99

3. Nature-derived biomaterials: biomorphic bone scaffolds with

hierarchic architecture......................................................................106

4. Biocompatible magnetic materials: a new smart, multifunctional

tool in nanomedicine........................................................................111

5. Conclusions and future perspectives............................................114

Acknowledgements...........................................................................114

Chapter 7 Nanotechnology Formulations and Modeling of Hydraulic

Permeability Improvement for Nonwoven Geotextiles.................123

Abstract...............................................................................................123

1. Introduction........................................................................................124

2. Modeling for hydraulic permeability improvement..................136

Chapter 8 Biopolymers – Application in Nanoscience and

Nanotechnology.......................................................................................144

Abstract...............................................................................................144

1. Introduction........................................................................................145

2. Different classes of biopolymers....................................................146

3. Sources and preparation of biopolymers.....................................147

4. Structure of biopolymers.................................................................149

5. Different characterization techniques............................................150

6. Frequently studied biopolymers....................................................156

7. Applications of biopolymers...........................................................163

8. Conclusions........................................................................................167

Chapter 9 Nanoflora — How Nanotechnology Enhanced the Use of

Active Phytochemicals...........................................................................175

1. Introduction........................................................................................175

2. Herbal medicine................................................................................176

3. Phenolic compounds........................................................................177

4. Terpenoids..........................................................................................179

5. Alkaloids.............................................................................................183

6. Nanoflora............................................................................................183

7. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles...............................................184

8. Enhancing solubility and bioavailability......................................190

9. Reduced toxicity and side effects..................................................193

10. Enhanced activity..............................................................................195

11. Release profile....................................................................................195

12. Enhanced stability.............................................................................195

13. Success stories....................................................................................196

14. Conclusions........................................................................................197

Chapter 10 Role of Biopolymers in Green Nanotechnology ...........................205

1. Introduction........................................................................................205

2. Bionanocomposites of natural rubber with polysaccharides ..207

3. Metal-polysaccharide nanocomposites ........................................218

4. Conclusions .......................................................................................228

Citation......................................................................................................233

Index...........................................................................................................235

About Author

Bruce Stinson pursued his Ph.D. in the field of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials from Public University of Science and Technology, Bari. He serves as a Senior Professor at Science Research University, Navarre. Stinson has authored and edited more than 50 articles, journal papers and book chapters in the field of material science, engineering, biology and nanotechnology. He is a veteran in the field of nanotechnology with numerous revolutionizing texts, articles and research papers to his credit. He has also attended numerous conferences and symposiums and also presented 5 papers.