Bringing satellite and nanotechnologies together : unifying strengths against pollution and climate change
Ferral, Anabella (National Council of Scientific and Technical Research)
Bonansea, Matías (National Council of Scientific and Technical Research)
Scavuzzo, Carlos Marcelo (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba)
Nemiña, Francisco (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba)
Burgos Paci, Maximiliano (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba)
Ramirez, Jessica Casandra (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Sepúlveda, Borja (Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona)
Fraxedas, Jordi (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Esplandiu Egido, Maria José (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	Nowadays, we witness remarkable technological progress alongside unprecedented challenges that threaten the delicate balance of our planet's ecological system. Environmental contamination plays a central role in this, with rapid urbanization, industrialization, mining and agricultural practices intensifying the introduction of pollutants into the environment. This article highlights the potential synergy between two fields operating at vastly different scales: satellite technology and nanotechnology. This article delves into the offerings of each of these disciplines and examines how they can mutually contribute to the detection, prevention and mitigation of environmental pollution. Satellites play a crucial role in identifying and monitoring large-scale polluted areas, offering comprehensive insights into environmental challenges. They are indispensable in tracking air, water pollution levels, assessing land degradation, and monitoring changes in ocean health with relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. Nanotechnology leverages the unique properties of materials at sub-micron scale by offering amplified chemical reactivity and new optical, electronic, and magnetic attributes, enabling selective and sensitive sensors and rapid and efficient contaminant capture/degradation strategies. Emerging nanomaterials, along with nature-inspired and self-powered or self-sustaining designs, broaden capabilities for efficient solutions. Advanced nanocharacterization techniques deepen material understanding and quantification, while nanofabrication allows precise design of functional nano-devices. We believe the synergistic relationship between both fields can yield cooperative solutions, expediting effective measures and greatly influencing policy decisions. This article advocates for the collaboration between these two disciplines to foster impactful progress in facing global challenges.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación CEX2021-001214-S Agencia Estatal de Investigación TED2021-129898B-C21 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-124568NB-I00
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Environmental pollution ; Satellite remote sensing ; Nanomaterials ; Environmental sensing ; Environmental remediation ; Water and snow quality
Published in:	Frontiers in Nanotechnology, Vol. 6 (April 2024) , art. 1332820, ISSN 2673-3013

DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2024.1332820

8 p, 1.2 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles