Nanotechnology uses designer molecules in interesting and potentially life-saving ways.
Nanotechnology is the study of atomic and molecular structures at the nanometer level. One nanometer is one billionth of a meter, or about the size of three oxygen atoms. The trend to ever-smaller technologies in technology such as the microscopic transistors in computer chips is leading to mechanical and electronic systems made of custom-designed molecules. Some futurists predict nanotechnology will revolutionize the materials and manufacturing methods that produce the goods we use in everyday life.
Smart Materials
In 2011, specialty manufacturers produce powders based on small designer molecules. These so-called "nanopowders" pack a large surface area into a small volume, allowing highly efficient chemical reactions. In addition, electronic components such as batteries and capacitors using these materials can hold more energy than devices made with traditional parts. In the future, scientists are likely to design molecule-sized computers using nanotechnology. As even simple appliances now have microcomputers, eventually "smart materials" will contain millions of tiny computers, putting properties such as flexibility, texture and color of physical materials under the control of software.
Medicine
Living things are examples of the power of nanotechnology, as biology consists of billions of sophisticated molecular machines. Research scientists are using nanotechnology to explore its effects on diseases such as cancer. For example, tiny gold particles attached to molecular markers can be injected into a patient's blood stream and target and accumulate only in tumor cells. Infrared light heats the gold particles, affecting the tumor around them and killing it. You may also eventually see doctors treat patients by injecting them with nanorobots. Smaller than a red blood cell and working under computer control, these tiny robots can scavenge the circulatory system, seeking out and destroying viruses, bacteria and other infectious microorganisms.
Manufacturing
Currently, bulk processes combine various chemicals under conditions of heat and pressure, producing gasoline, plastics, fertilizers and many other products. Nanotechnology offers ways of making manufacturing processes more efficient. Self-assembly, for example, combines two large molecules by "snapping" them together automatically. The surfaces of the molecules fit like a lock and key, connecting accurately and precisely. Several steps of molecular self-assembly may yield machine and electronic products without traditional welding, cutting or drilling.
Environment
Nanotechnology may benefit the environment by drastically reducing waste in manufacturing. Current processes such as machining, finishing and painting produce toxic waste products for which the manufacturer must pay to dispose. Advanced molecular manufacturing methods will account for every atom in the process. Not only will these methods not generate toxic waste, they may also eventually use the complex molecules found in landfills as raw materials. By breaking molecules down into useful components and recombining them, nanotechnology can theoretically produce useful products from garbage.
Tags: also eventually, designer molecules, gold particles, manufacturing methods, toxic waste, using nanotechnology
