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Future of 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.

Array of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes image credit: CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

diagram showing size differerence starting at DNA

 

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.

 

 

Buckyballs and Nanotubes

 

3d computer buckyball

 

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.

Nanotubes

 

 

How is Nanotechnology Being Used Today?

 

crayons on top of the aerogel are protected from the flame underneath, and are not melting

 

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.

Nanotechnology products

 

 

Types of Nanomaterials

 

silver nanoparticles

 

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

 

 

Nanotechnology Risks

 

nanotechnology risks

 

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.

Nanotechnology risks

 

 

Nanobots

 

nanobot army

 

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.

Nanobots

 

 

Nanotechnology and Medicine

 

nanobots in an artery

 

Nanomedicine is promising great things, including great advancements in the treatment of cancer. Imagine swarms of nanobots swimming through your veins, repairing cells or attacking viruses. On second thought, get that image out of your mind, it's a bit creepy. Just close your eyes and wait for the healing to begin.

Nanomedicine

 

 

Nanotechnology Articles, Videos, and Web Sites

 

 

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FutureForAll.org aims to increase public awareness of rapidly advancing technologies, and to encourage students to consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).