Nanotechnology, Global Warming & Climate Change

What is Nanotechnology ? Nanotechnology can be defined as the capability to use, manage or manoeuvre specific materials at a molecular size. ( Teresko. J., 2005).

Climate Change Climate change is a long - term alteration in the earth ' s climate system, due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature ( Climate change, 2013). Figure 1: An example of how global warming and climate change can lead to several other issues. In A Students Guide to Climate Change, M. Twain, Retrieved from http :// epa. gov / climatestudents / b asics / concepts. html

The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the earth by the trapped heat as a result of the presence of atmospheric gases that absorb heat ( Knox, Ladiges, Evans & Saint, 2010). Figure 2: Representation of the Greenhouse effect. In NSW Department of Primary Industries, CO 2 Cooperative Research Centre, Retrieved from http :// www. dpi. nsw. gov. au / research / topics / clim ate - change / causes © State of New South Wales through Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services

How Nanotechnology can reduce the effects of Climate change and Global warming Nanotechnology can be incorporated into environmental issues, such as Climate change and global warming, and with this use of fine and intricate technology, scientist have evolved this kind of technology to be included in all aspects of science and the environment to decrease the effects that climate change and global warming has on the world ( Chakrabarty. A., 2008)

Idea 1: Scientists have developed an idea of designing small grain - sized balloons that are light enough to float up to the stratosphere where the ozone layer is present. In each of these balloons there contains a tiny solar power plant, and molecular - processing plant, and once microscopic grain of the chemical sodium.

Idea 2: Nanotechnology can also capture carbon dioxide during industrial processes. In a new kind of membrane, carbon nanotubes form the nanopores.

Idea 3: Researchers are also developing structures called MOF ' s ( Metal organic frameworks ) that trap carbon dioxide molecules. they designed this structures so that they have tiny pores just big enough for the CO 2 to come in and the cavities inside the MOF ' s provide storage for the CO 2 ( Boysen & Muir, 2011, Pg 203).

Idea 4: Nanotechnology can also capture carbon dioxide and effectively turn it into methane. With this alternative to sequestration the natural gas produced can be utilised in everyday activities like cooking on the stove and more advanced activites like using the methane to generate more energy ( Boysen & Muir, 2011, Pg 203).

Natural ways of reducing the effects of climate change and global warming There are more natural ways of reducing the effects of global warming that scientists have be studying such as volcanoes. When a volcano erupts it sends clouds of particles and gases into the atmosphere. These specific clouds contain sulphur dioxide that can rise as high as the stratosphere ( Boysen & Muir, 2011, Pg 203).

Figure 3: Diagram showing the positive effects that volcanic ash and gases has on the temperature of the earth. In Hong Kong Observatory, T C Lee & M H Kok, Retrieved from http :// www. hko. gov. hk / blog / en / archives / h tm

Simpler ways of reducing the effects of Global warming and Climate Change Renewable energy resources such as : Wind power Solar Power Wave power Geotherma l and Biomass Figure 4: Examples of renewable energy resources. In Earthly Issues, Welch. C, Retrieved from http :// www. earthlyissues. com / renew. htm

References : Chakrabarty, A. (2008). Nanotechnology : An introduction. IN : Global Media. Climate change retrieved from the dictionary. com website : http :// dictionary. reference. com / browse / climate + change http :// dictionary. reference. com / browse / climate + change Earl Boysen, & Nancy C. Muir. (2011). Nanotechnology for dummies. US : For Dummies. John Teresko. (2005). What is nanotechnology? Industry Week, 254(8), 48. Knox, Ladiges, Evans & Saint. (2010) Biology : An Australian focus. North Ryde, Sydney, N. S. W : McGraw - Hill. In Earthly Issues, Welch. C, Retrieved from http :// www. earthlyissues. com / renew. htm http :// www. earthlyissues. com / renew. htm Hong Kong Observatory, T C Lee & M H Kok, Retrieved from http :// www. hko. gov. hk / blog / en / archives / htm http :// www. hko. gov. hk / blog / en / archives / htm NSW Department of Primary Industries, CO 2 Cooperative Research Centre, Retrieved from http :// www. dpi. nsw. gov. au / research / topics / climate - change / causes © State of New South Wales through Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Service A Students Guide to Climate Change, M. Twain, Retrieved from http :// epa. gov / climatestudents / basics / concepts. html