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Nanotechnology
A Layperson's View of Future Technology and Society
What is Nanotechnology?
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.
Size Matters
This illustration from nano.gov gives visual examples of the size and the scale of nanotechnology, showing us just how small nanotechnology actually is.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. In comparison, a human hair is about 100,000 nanometers in diameter.
All dimensions are approximate. Nanoparticle is courtesy of the National Center for Electron Microscopy, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, US Department of Energy.
Another illustration of size comparison can be found here:
"The
scale of things"
Buckyballs and Nanotubes
A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Spherical fullerenes are also called buckyballs, and cylindrical ones are called carbon nanotubes or buckytubes.
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.
Image of Rotating crystal structure of C60 (Buckminister Fullerene). courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
How is nanotechnology being used today?
Nanotechnology is being used to make surfaces self-cleaning and stay clean for a long time. Nanotech can be found in cosmetics, sunscreens, clothing and many other consumer products today.
Types of Nanomaterials
- Carbon Nanotubes
Fullerenes and Buckyballs
Dendrimers
Fine and Ultrafine Particulates in Air
Quantum Dots and Nanocrystals
Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles
Silver nanoparticles
Silver nanowire
Other nano-sized particles
Ready or not, here it comes. In the next 20 years, nano-technology
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.
Nanobots
Nanobots do not exist yet, but when they do, futurists predict possible uses for nanorobots will include molecular manufacturing (nanofactories) and medical nanobots that steer autonomously through your blood stream making repairs and guarding against infection.
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Nanotechnology Articles, Blogs and Web Sites
All Links open in a new window. Bold = Recommended. Links do not imply endorsement.
I checked the links on this page on 10/18/11 - ffa
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| AcsNano | Nanotechnology related publication |
| Build a Buckyball | Nanopedia |
| Center for Nanotechnology | NASA |
| Decker Yeadon | Design applications for smart materials and nanotechnology |
| DEEPEN | Understanding of the ethical challenges posed by emerging nanotechnologies in real world circumstances |
| Exploring the Nanoworld | University of Wisconsin |
| Foresight Institute | Educate society about the benefits and risks of nanotechnology |
| GoodNanoGuide | To enhance the ability of experts to exchange ideas on how best to handle nanomaterials in an occupational setting |
| ICON | International Council on Nanotechnology |
| Institute for Molecular Manufacturing | Molecular Manufacturing |
| Institute for Nanoscale Technology | University of Technology, Sydney |
| James M. Tour Group | Rice University |
| Materials Today | Material science |
| MetaModern | Eric Drexler Blog |
| NanoArchitecture | Informing architects and designers about nanotechnology |
| Nano Archive | Electronic archive of nanoscience publications (EU) |
| NanoArt | Art and Nanotechnology |
| NanoBliss | Gallery of carbon nanotubes and silicon |
| NANObuildings | Technical information about advanced technology facilities |
| NanoCEO | Nanotechnology Citizen Engagement Organization |
| Nanofactory video | Google Video |
| NanoGloss | All about nanotechnology, nanomedicine, nanotubes and more |
| Nano.gov | National Nanotechnology Initiative |
| NanoHub | Resource for nanoscience and technology |
| NanoHype | Research and policy of nanotechnology Blog |
| NanoMagazine | IoN Publishing (Scotland) |
| NanoNews | Nanotech news |
| NanoNovus | Jack Uldrich blog |
| Nano-Quiz | Nanowerk |
| Nano Research | Nano Journal |
| Nano Science and Technology Institute | Advances and integrates nano and other advanced technologies |
| Nanoscience Images | ORNL |
| Nanosingularity | Wordpress blog |
| NanoTech.biz | A guide for investors, enterpreneurs, students, researchers, and the general public |
| Nanotechnology | Scitable |
| Nanotechnology and Nanoscience | Nano news and information |
| Nanotechnology.com | The International Network of Small Technology |
| Nanotechnology.net | Nanotechnology News Headlines |
| Nanotechnology Image Gallery | Chris Ewels |
| Nanotechnology Lab Groups | Yahoo! |
| Nanotechnology Made Clear | Understanding Nano |
| Nanotechnology Now | Nanotechnology basics, news, and general information |
| NanoTechWeb | Nanotechnology journal |
| NanoTechWire | Nanotech portal |
| NanoWord | Encyclopedia Nanotech |
| National Nanotechnology Initiative | nano.gov |
| Public Perceptions about Nanotechnology | Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, (Germany) |
| Small Science, Big Deal | Science Museum (UK) |
| Societal Impacts of Nanotechnology | Nanotechnology Education Tree |
| Soft Machines | Thoughts on the future of nanotechnology from Richard Jones |
| The Nano Age | To explain the basics of nanotechnology to a general audience while alluding to its potential for either good or bad |
| The Nanoethics Group | Cal Poly State University |
| The Scale of the Universe | Zoom from the edge of the universe to the quantum foam of spacetime |
| Understanding Nano | Explanations of nanotechnology applications |
| What is Nanotechnology? | IOP Science |
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| How Nanotechnology Works | By How Stuff Works |
| How Small is a Nanometer? Choose your favorite! | 3 different ways to look at nanosize |
| Nanotechnology | Nanotechnology and solar panel efficiency video |
| Nanotechnology - Age of Convergence | Interesting youtube video |
| Article | Sources |
|---|---|
| What is Nanotechnology? | Article paraphrased from nano.gov |
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Many of the articles found on this web site are from a blogger that couldn't tell you the difference between hydrochloric and high colonic. We try our very best to provide you with useful, accurate information, but we don't always get it right. Please read our full disclaimer before quoting us at work, school or world conferences.