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A Layperson's View of Future Technology and Society    

The Future of Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology? Array of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes Nanotechnology is a broad term that covers many areas of science, research and technology. In its most basic form, it can be described as working with things that are small. Things so tiny that they can't be seen with standard microscopes. The same stuff that has always been there, but we just couldn't see it. The building blocks of nature, atoms and molecules. Nano-technology involves understanding matter at the "nano" scale. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. In comparison, a human hair is about 100,000 nanometers in diameter. New types of imaging tools, like the atomic force microscope, have allowed scientists to peek into the nano world. A world that before could only be visualized in theory. These tools help scientists validate theories about the way that atoms group together to form molecules of different types and shapes. "Consider the element carbon at the nanoscale. In nature, when carbon atoms are arranged one way you get a diamond. If they're put together another way, you get graphite." - Eleanor Imster, Earth and Sky Radio Series The discovery in 1985 of buckminsterfullerene (buckyball), opened a new era for the chemistry of carbon and for novel materials. The Japanese Sumi Ijima discovered nanotubes in 1991. The transition of nanotechnology research into manufactured products is limited today, but some products moved relatively quickly to the marketplace and already are having significant impact. The “jumbotron lamp,” that lights many of today's athletic stadiums is a nanotube-based light source. Additional products available today that benefit from the unique properties of nanoscale materials include: bumpers on cars, sunscreens and cosmetics, stain-free clothing and more. New applications of nanotechnology that are expected in two to five years are: • Implantable devices that automatically administer drugs and sense drug levels. • Cancer tagging mechanisms and real time diagnostics for physicians. • Sensors for airborne chemicals or other toxins. • Improved solar cells and fuel cells • Faster, smarter and inexpensive computers. The power of nanotechnology is in the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale. This enables scientists to alter the properties of materials to make them do new things and to invent materials not found in nature. Types of Nanotechnology There are many different types of Nanotechnology available. In general they can be classified into the following categories: carbon nanotube, optical (or particle-wave based), crystalline, DNA, and quantum (see “The Age of the Spiritual Machine”, by Ray Kurzweil). Each of these categories has a significant impact in the study of Nanotechnology. You see, Nanotechnology is not just technology. It is the study of atoms, and the world as we know it. It is the ability to look deep into what and how basic elements are created and how they can be manipulated to benefit mankind. Nanotechnology Basics Defined Buckyballs and Nanotubes Because of their unique properties, nanotubes and buckyballs open a path to many futuristic applications. Because of their size, they pose a risk to human health. Buckyballs and Nanotubes

Ready or not, here it comes. In the next 20 years, nanotechnology will touch the life of nearly every person on the planet. The potential benefits are mind boggling and brain enhancing. But like many of the great advancements in earth's history, it is not without risk Here are some of the risks posed to society by nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology Risks

Societal Impacts of Nanotechnology

This article from the Nanotechnology Education Tree discusses the possibility that nanotechnology could increase the gap between the rich and the poor throughout the world. 

Nanotechnology Education Tree

World's Smallest Car

No room for a bass blasting woofer in this cruiser. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a spot for your tweeter. Rice University scientists have constructed the world's smallest car -- a single molecule "nanocar" that contains a chassis, axles and four buckyball wheels.  

Psychedelic Cells

Glow-in-the-dark nanocrystals are helping researchers study living cells and the interactions of molecules in biological systems.

Nanocrystals

Unique Quantum Effect Found in Silicon Nanocrystals

The new result opens the door to the potential application of MEG for greatly enhancing the conversion efficiency of solar cells based on silicon because more of the sun’s energy is converted to electricity. This is a key step toward making solar energy more cost-competitive with conventional power sources. 

Nanogenerator Could Draw Energy from Human Blood

"Our bodies are good at converting chemical energy from glucose into the mechanical energy of our muscles," added Wang. "These nanogenerators can take that mechanical energy and convert it to electrical energy for powering devices inside the body."

Nanogenerator

Molecular Manufacturing

Molecular manufacturing (MM) is a fairly mundane branch of nanotech, or it would be if not for the political controversy that has swirled around it. The idea is simple: Use nanoscale machines as construction tools, joining molecular fragments into more machines. Every biological cell contains molecular machines that do exactly that. There are, however, a few reasons why molecular manufacturing has been highly controversial.

Molecular manufacturing

Remotely Controlled Nanomachines

Physicists at the University of California at Berkeley have produced images that show how UV light can force molecules to change shape at will. 

Wood surface repels water droplets

Surfaces become self-cleaning and stay clean for a long time by applying nanostructures.

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New Nano Weapon against Cancer
New nanoparticle can break through a cell membrane without killing the cell

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