Nanotechnology: A Brave New World

Honey I shrunk the technology! It’s not a movie anymore; it’s the direction of global technology. Nanotechnology is this century's equivalent of the Industrial Revolution and it will change everything. The revolution isn’t just around the corner. It has only just begun.

Just what is it that makes up nanotechnology? Atoms and molocules are so small they invented new word to describe them, “nano”, which is a greek prefix meaning dwarf. “In 1981, the development of a powerful microscope allowed people to visualize the nanoscale on metals. Called the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), the microscope magnifies images of the shapes of atoms on the metal's surface.” (Nelson) Manufacturers create ultrafine nanoparticles from common compounds like carbon, silver and titanium dioxide. They can change strength, produce a desired color or even create an antibacterial effect.

Nanotechnology has been implemented in dozens of countries and thousands of products.

Europe and Canada have implemented regulations; however, the United States has voluntary guidelines. According to the Center for Food Safety there is a possibility for the inhalation or ingestion of nanoparticles from food packaging and food where nanotechnology is used. After they are in the body some types of nanoparticles can circulate through the body and migrate to sensitive parts of the body like lymph nodes, kidneys and liver. (Stonebrook) As new technology is being researched it is imperative that safety be integrated for the good of the society. In the event that it becomes toxic people must know. As with all new technology human institutions must come up with safe way to use

nanotechnology.
Manufacturing was the industry first to start using this innovative technology. The use of nanotechnology has endless possibilities plus; there are no proven drawbacks so far. Manufactures have used nanos for really small scale prototypes and hope to change building materials into stronger and lighter objects. A few examples that have already been produced are bicycle frames and tennis rackets. This is just the tip of the iceberg. John Badding, a scientist at Penn State, was quoted in the October CNN Wire "One of our wildest dreams for the nanomaterials we are developing is that they could be used to make the super-strong, lightweight cables that would make possible the construction of a "space elevator" which so far has existed only as a science-fiction idea," It may sound impossible, however space exploration was the science fiction of the previous century. These scientist are speculating they could make the “space elevator” a reality as early as 2030.
How will nanotech effect the advancement of medical technology and procedures Researchers in South Africa are working on a way to deliver that half-century old treatment in a new guise—incorporating the drugs into nanoparticles so they are released slowly into a patient's bloodstream, raising the possibility that daily pills could be replaced with a single weekly dose. (Wexler) Small nanobots can send the medicine straight to the infected area. This technology used in the field of medicine can help our well being and longevity. Some believe that nanotech can help cure major illnesses and or cure cancer; if that is true then further research in this field is needed.
Nanotechnology is a future science happening right now. It is being implemented faster than business people, lawyers and governments can really understand it’s uses and implications. Each country will have to make decisions about regulation and safety, however there is no doubt that nanotechnology will impact everything from the mundane to the extraordinary. The future is now!