What is Nanotechnology? “Nanotechnology is the manipulation or self-assembly of individual atoms, molecules, or molecular clusters into structures to create materials and devices with new or vastly different properties. Nanotechnology can work from the top down (which means reducing the size of the smallest structures to the nanoscale… or the bottom up (which involves manipulating individual atoms and molecules into nanostructures and more closely resembles chemistry or biology)” (Joseph & Morrison, 2006, p.3, para. 2).
There are several requirements which are needed to meet the definition of nanotechnology; size limitation of 1-100 nm (or about the width of three or four atoms), and it needs to be man-made. Its purpose is to control matter at a nanoscale, using mechanochemistry to form the desired structure. One of the most important criteria is that the nano-structure has its own unique characteristics that are unlike any other nano-structure. It is required to be unique.
Nanotechnology in essence is not futuristic in nature. Scientists refer to a timeline of the development of nanotechnology. The first wave of nanoparticles would perform one function only. The nanoparticles of the second wave would be able to execute multiple functions. The third wave would be proliferation. Nanotechnology is already applied and used today in cosmetics (sunscreen), coatings (non-scratch surfaces), and to make stronger tools. Short-term applications will most likely include such things as paints. Paints created with nanotechnology could have various properties for multiple applications, e.g. reducing solvent need in paint and thereby making it more environmentally friendly, making paint thinner, which could be used on aircraft. It would reduc...
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...and ethically use nanotechnology. What would be the point of this gift that could give us so much, if we are only going to destroy ourselves with it in the end?
Works Cited
Conjecture Corporation. (2011). What are the possible dangers of nanotechnology?. Retrieved February 17, 2012 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-possible-dangers-of-nanotechnology.htm
Joseph, T., & Morrison, M. (2006). nanoforum.org. Retrieved February 17, 2012 from http://www.nanoforum.org/dateien/temp/nanotechnology in agriculture and food.pdf
Nanowerk LLC. (2011). Introduction to nanotechnology. Retrieved February 17, 2012 from http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/introduction/introduction_to_nanotechnology_1.php
Qiuping, C. (2001). Expert issues warning on nanotechnology side-effect. Retrieved February 15, 2012 from http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Aug/18023.htm
The small size ranging from 0.1 to 10 micrometres of nanobots make it difficult to be constructed. The process of working atom by atom and molecule by molecule is monotonous work and the miniaturization of synthetic mechanisms to a nanoscale will only be achievable with the advancement of research in metallurgy.
Amandi Hiyare: Before forming my research question, I had a discussion with my research project coordinator “Lisa Pope” who told me that the Flinders nanotechnology research team has been developing microbial catheters. Then on Monday I had an interview with Professor Joe Shapter who told me that your team was leading this project. So I was wondering whether you would be able to provide me with some detailed information about this innovation?
Lovgren, Stefan. Can Art Make Nanotechnology Easier t Understand? 23 December 2003. Web. 3 May 2014. .
In the article “Pinpointing Cancer Fight,” Liz Szabo states the uses of nanotechnology and how researchers are attempting to use this advancement to fight cancer. She defines that nanotechnology is a type of technology that creates devices on an atomic level; this equipment can allow people such as researchers to use its ability to detect cancerous cells as well as treat them. Szabo remains a neutral tone as she states that while some are against the idea of using nanotechnology since there are many risks, others are optimistic that it may lead to transformational results. She presents a list of some products developed through nanotechnology and explains its usage in addition to mentioning the failure of those nanotech products. Szabo provides
Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruskiewicz. New York: St. Martins, 1997, 230-235. Thomas, Lewis "The Hazards of Science" The Presence of Others. Comp. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruskiewicz.
Nanotechnology is defined as the science of design, synthesis and characterization of matter at the nanoscale, which mesures one billionth of the meter [1,2] On that scale, structures exhibit novel chemical, physical and biological properties and processes, which enables the creation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), with various characteristics and potential applications. [3] It’s not just that though. Nanotechnology shows the ability to eliminate the gaps among medicine, material engineering and science, computer technology and public policy, creating new clinical and medical approaches to better diagnose, treat and prevent any kind of illness. In fact, it is already moving from simple passive structures
Diamond, J. (1987). The worst mistake in the history of the human race. Discover, 8(5), 64-66.
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of structures at nano levels. It uses incredibly small materials, devices, and systems to manipulate matter. These structures are measured in nanometers, or one billionth of a meter, and can be used by themselves or as part of larg...
First things first, what exactly are nanotechnology and biotechnology? There has been some less than mild discussion of late about what constitutes legitimate nanotechnology, and suffice it to say that it doesn’t include things like laundry detergents, chemical additives, makeup micro-beads or anything of the like that may be claimed by some companies that are looking for an advantage over their competitors. Also, neither of these growing scientific disciplines includes any of the many terrifying, often alien technologies that swarm and smother, seek and destroy, or otherwise attempt to eradicate the human race from the face of the earth, ad nauseam. Here is a concise definition from The American Heritage Science Dictionary: “Nanotechnology is the science and technology of precisely manipulating the structure of matter at the molecular level. The term nanotechnology embraces many different fields and specialties, including engineering, chemistry, electronics, and medicine, among others, but all are concerned with bringing existing te...
K. Eric Drexler is known to be “the founding father of nanotechnology,” and theorized the creation of mechanical nanoscale systems that would revolutionize the world of manufacturing and technology. However, many opponents of his theory feared the implications and applications of such nanotechnology, and therefore began to spread panic through the concept of the menacing “grey goo.” “Prey” by Michael Crichton delves into the concepts Drexler proposed concerning nanorobotics computation and artificial intelligence through an interesting and insightful science fiction novel. Crichton delves in to the ethical implications of the unpredictability of evolutionary and machine learning programs, inability of technologists to learn from past mistakes,
World Health Organization has published the report of a Joint Expert Meeting held in June 2009 on the topic of Application of Nanotechnologies in the Food and Agriculture Sectors: Potential Food Safety Implications. This report presents an overview of the wide range of current and projected nanotechnology applications in food and agriculture.This is shown in the figure below:-
1443 - 1460. Keener, K., Hoban, T. and Balasubramanian, R. 2014. Biotechnology and its applications. [online] Available at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/bioapp.html [Accessed: 11 Apr 2014].
...esity is becoming an epidemic, nanotechnology could be used to create foods which are low in fat, salt and sugar but are still nutritionally dense and taste great. Food is naturally nanostructured material – simply boiling an egg causes many changes; the proteins in the egg white change shape and tangle together to form a solid. We now have the opportunity to study what exactly happens in these nanoscale changes. Nanotechnology gives us many ways to ensure our food is safe and waste is cut down. However, there are many concerns that this form of processing is another way to put more power into the hands of large food companies- yet food has never been safer than it is today largely due to the strict hygiene and sanitation practices these companies follow. As the population continues to grow – so too will the importance of new food technologies like nanotechnology.
Allaoui, S & Beaudry, C 2012, 'Impact of public and private research funding on scientific production: the case of nanotechnology ', Research Policy, vol. 41, no. 9, pp. 1589-1606.