Understanding, shaping and combining matter at the atomic and molecular scale is called nanotechnology. Nanotechnology encompasses science, medicine, engineering, computing and robotics at this scale, called the Nano scale. Nanotechnology offers the potential for new and faster kinds of computers, more efficient power sources and life-saving medical treatments. Numerous studies suggest that nanotechnology will have major, long-term effects on agriculture and food production. Nanoparticles have enhanced reactivity due to enhanced solubility, greater proportion of surface atoms relative to the interior of a structure, unique magnetic/optical properties, electronic states, and catalytic reactivity that differ from equivalent bulk materials. The positive morphological effects of nanomaterials include enhanced germination percentage and rate; length of root and shoot, and their ratio; and vegetative biomass of seedlings along with enhancement of physiological parameters like enhanced photosynthetic activity and nitrogen metabolism in many crop plants. Additionally, this technology holds the promise of controlled release of agrochemicals and site targeted delivery of various macromolecules needed for improved plant disease resistance, efficient nutrient utilization and enhanced plant growth. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about potential adverse effects of nanoparticles on biological systems and the environment such as toxicity generated by free radicals leading to lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Under this scenario, there is a need to predict the environmental effect of these nanoparticles in the near future. Additional disadvantages include economic disruption and possible threats to security, privacy, health and the environment. Nanotechnology in Manufacturing Nanotechnology is already making new materials available that could revolutionize many areas of manufacturing. For example, nanotubes and nanoparticles, which are tubes and particles only a few atoms across, and aerogels, materials composed of very light and strong materials with remarkable insulating properties, could pave the way for new techniques and superior products. In addition, robots that are only a few nanometers in length, called nanobots, and nanofactories could help construct novel materials and objects. Nanotechnology in Energy generation Nanotechnology may transform the ways in which we obtain and use energy. In particular, it’s likely that nanotechnology will make solar power more economical by reducing the cost of constructing solar panels and related equipment. Energy storage devices will become more efficient as a result. Nanotechnology will also open up new methods of generating and storing energy. Nanotechnology in Electronics and Computing The field of electronics is set to be revolutionized by nanotechnology. Quantum dots, for example, are tiny light-producing cells that could be used for illumination or for purposes such as display screens. Silicon chips can already contain millions of components, but the technology is reaching its limit; at a certain point, circuits become so small that if a molecule is out of place the circuit won’t work properly. Nanotechnology will allow circuits to be constructed very accurately on an atomic level. Nanotechnology in Medicine Nanotechnology has the potential to bring major advances in medicine. Nanobots could be sent into a patient’s arteries to clear away blockages. Surgeries could become much faster and more accurate. Injuries could be repaired cell-by-cell. It may even become possible to heal genetic conditions by fixing the damaged genes. Nanotechnology could also be used to refine drug production, tailoring drugs at a molecular level to make them more effective and reduce side effects. Nanotechnology in Environmental pollution Some of the more extravagant negative future scenarios have been debunked by experts in nanotechnology. For example: the so-called “gray goo” scenario, where self-replicating nanobots consume everything around them to make copies of themselves, was once widely discussed but is no longer considered to be a credible threat. It is possible, however, that there will be some negative effects on the environment as potential new toxins and pollutants may be created by nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in Economic Upheaval It is likely that nanotechnology, like other technologies before it, will cause major changes in many economic areas. Although products made possible by nanotechnology will initially be expensive luxury or specialist items, once availability increases, more and more markets will feel the impact. Some technologies and materials may become obsolete, leading to companies specializing in those areas going out of business. Changes in manufacturing processes brought about by nanotechnology may result in job losses. Nanotechnology in Privacy and Security Nanotechnology raises the possibility of microscopic recording devices, which would be virtually undetectable. More seriously, it is possible that nanotechnology could be weaponized. Atomic weapons would be easier to create and novel weapons might also be developed. One possibility is the so-called “smart bullet,” a computerized bullet that could be controlled and aimed very accurately. These developments may prove a boon for the military; but if they fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be dire. Nanotechnology in Phyto-toxicity Plants are an essential base component of all ecosystems and play a critical role in the fate and transport of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment through plant uptake and bioaccumulation (Xingmao et al. 2010). It is also important to mention that the bioaccumulation, biomagnification and biotransformation of engineered nanoparticles in food crops are still not well understood. Very few nanoparticles and plant species have been studied with respect to the accumulation and subsequent availability of nanoparticles in food crops. Most commonly encountered ENPs in the environment fall into one of the five following categories: carbonaceous nanoparticles, metal oxides, quantum dots, zero valent metals and nanopolymers. These ENPs closely interact with their surrounding environment and as a result ENPs will inevitably interact with plants and these interactions such as uptake and accumulation in plant biomass will greatly affect their fate and transport in the environment. ENPs could also adhere to plant roots and exert physical or chemical toxicity on plants. For interacting with plants ENPs have to penetrate cell walls and plasma membranes of epidermal layers in roots to enter vascular tissues (xylem) in order to be taken up and Trans located through stems to leaves. Cell walls, through which water molecules and other solutes must pass to enter into roots, are a porous network of polysaccharide fiber matrices. ENP aggregates with a
