Nanotechnology: From Tagging, Monitoring to Tracking Fish Using Nano Devices
October 6th, 2008 by Nicholas OngA Radio Frequency ID (RFid) Tags is a small, wireless integrated-circuit (IC) chip with a radio circuit and an identification code embedded in it. The advantages of the RFid tag over other scan-able tags - such as the UPC barcodes pasted on most consumer products today - are that the RFid tag is small enough to be embedded in the product itself - not just on its package; it can hold much more information, can be scanned at a distance (and through materials, such as boxes or other packaging) and many tags can be scanned at the same time.
RFid tags are already being used for livestock tracking, attached to the ear or injected into the animal. The entire chip can be about the size of a dust mite - closer to micro-scale than nanoscale, though incorporating nanoscale components. Developers of the technology envision a world where they can “identify any object anywhere automatically.”
RFid tag maybe used from juvenile fish. It can be a tracking device as well as a device to monitor the metabolism, swimming pattern and possibly feeding behaviour of the fish.
Another possible benefit is to allow fish processing plants to identify the source of the fish by incorporating the “nano-barcoding” as part of their information management system.
Whole fish exporters may also use this technology to track the delivery status of the tagged fish.
Although the application of this technology on finfish aquaculture is yet to be tested, however the above potential benefits could prompt industry participants to explore this opportunity further.
For more information please visit this link:
http://www.azonano.com/Details.asp?ArticleID=1344
Tags: Information Magagement System, Nanotechnology
Posted in Technology. Permalink for this post: permalink.
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October 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
While RFID is more an application of microsensors, there are already issues asscoiated with nano technology in biological systems starting to arise.
Recent evidence suggests that nano particles like buckyballs that are used in cosmetic applications can damage cells.
Furthermore, carbon nanotubes, which are increasingly used in a wider range of applications like the new generation of RFID’s have been demonstrated to cause fibrosis in the lungs of rats.
Obviously this isn’t a problem in fish, but demonstrates the toxicity of nanoparticles that must be assessed before its potential intergration into aquaculture.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Other potential applications of nanotechnology in the aquaculture industry include use as a biosensor for microbial control. Researchers at NASA have developed a nanotechnological biosensor that is capable of detecting minute amounts of microbes, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. This is achieved using highly sensitised carbon nanotubes to detect pathogens in water and food sources. Please refer to the following link for further information.
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/may/HQ_08131_BioSensor_Technology.html
Another application involves the use of gold nanoparticles. Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a system for parasitic targeting and elimination using gold nanoparticles. In this study gold nanoparticles were coated with antibodies, specific for the pathogen, and upon mixing with infected mammalian cells, attached selectively to the infected regions. The infected regions were then destroyed using laser technology. Please refer to the following link for further information.
http://www.research-outcomes.com.au/article.php?article=3,020
However, as Chuck has already pointed out, the implications for integrating nanotechnology into the industry must be further elucidated. At this early stage, the technology looks promising.