When Small Means Big: The Impact of Nanotechnology

A rotary motion in science and engineering, which im class signifi prattly feign our daily lives, is looming in the horizon. The scientific community is now excited by changes that could be brought about by the multidisciplinary civilise of nanoscience and na nonechnology, which is comprehensively defined asresearch and technology study at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular levels, in the length of approximately 1 degree Celsius nm range, to fork up a fundamental understanding of phenomena and substantials at the nano dental plate, and to cook and use twists, gimmicks, and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their gauzy size. The novel and differentiating properties and functions atomic number 18 developed at a critical length scale of matter typically under 100 nm.Nanotechnology search and culture includes integration of nanoscale structure into large material percentages, systems, and architectures. Within these larger scale assemblie s, the control and construction of their structures and component devices remain at the nanoscale. (National Research Council 2002, cited in Dreher 2004).Although technically encompassing any device measuring at least(prenominal) 1,000 nanometersa nanometer (from Greek nano, meaning dwarf) is one thousand millionth of a meter (The lofty edict & The munificent honorary night club of Engineering 2004) more than of the work cosmos done before long focuses on materials smaller than 100 nm (Gupta et al 2003) since it is at this level that materials endanger unique physical and chemical substance properties that erect be harvested to convey improvements to engineered materials (i.e. enhanced charismatic properties, better electrical and optical activity, and higher-up structural integrity) (doubting Thomas & Sayre 2005).Ralph Merkle, as cited by Gupta et al (2003), noted that atomic configuration, to an extent, determines physical and chemical characteristics of materials, usi ng as examples carbon in diamond, or silica from sand. From this perspective, the manufacturing techniques we argon using today appear crude since we be travel molecules by heaps and mounds, and, on that pointfore, are manufacturing devices that could still be improved for true statement and precision (Gupta et al 2003). Nanotechnology, fit to Gupta et al, aims to look and exploit the hatchway of designing at the molecular and atomic levels, and producing a genesis of novel products that boast of greater strength, luminousness weight and better precision (2003).Technically nanotechnology is not something new. Ball (2003) notes that nanoscale devices have been, and are benefactionly being, use by organisms in their daily functioning. He cites, for instance, the proteins that serve as motors to flagella of motile bacteria, as readers and interpreters of the inherited code, or as miniature solar panels in plants that compile sunlight for photosynthesis (Ball 2003). The p ossibility of harnessing this probable inside the environment and put them to practical use has been floated in the scientific community as early as the 1940s, when von Neumann forwarded the melodic theme of manufacturing systems or machines that are capable of self-replication, which could capabilityly lower production costs (Gupta et al 2003).Richard Feynman in 1959, in an address to the American Physical indian lodge entitled at that place Is Plenty of Room at the prat, advanced the possibility that, similar to what we are doing at the macroscopic scale, we could maneuver atoms to where we ask them to be, and commence materials that would solve the problem of effect and reproduction (Buxton et al 2003 Gupta P et al 2003). In 1986, K Eric Drexler provided a prototype of nanotechnological use in the future(a) in his book Engines of Creation, where mercifuls are utilizing self-replicating nanoscale robots in daily flavor processes (Ball 2003).The move from the picture board to actual application, however, has been very modernas evidenced by the comparatively few nanotechnology products open fireled by theoretical and laboratory progress which showed that, indeed, systems can be build from molecules and atoms maneuvered at the microscopic scale (Gupta et al 2003). LOreal recently introduced in the grocery sun creams that contain nano-sized grains of titanium dioxide, which absorbs unseeable light, notwithstanding without the smeared chalk appearance of fixity creams (Ball 2003). This comparable technology, according to Ball (2003) was taken a step tho when it was rear that titanium dioxide particles become reactive when receptive to ultraviolet light, spark advance to the development of self-cleaning tiles and providetitanium-coat tiles and glasses that use the suns energy to burn up m separate fucker stuck to their sur cheeks. In the filed of medicine, nanotechnology is currently being utilized with state-of-the-art technology to combat genetic diseases (Dunkley 2004).In addition to these, researches are currently undergoing, exploring the sundry(a) possible applications of nanotechnology in various fields. For instance, in the medical sciences, the development of nanorobots could aid in precise, and rapid, cellular rep strip and regeneration, delivery of drugs at the site where it is needed, destruction of cancerous cells, or unblocking of clogged blood vessels (Dunkley 2004). The capacity to point out disease by dint of alterations in luggage compartment chemistry or physiology is withal a possibility through nanotubes or nanowires coated with detector molecules (Buxton et al 2003). Molecular imaging, according to Buxton et al (2003) bequeath also provide us with a examine of the human body beyond gross anatomic structures, since this would utilize molecules that would home to tissues mended by specific disease processes. Environmental problems we face today, such as air befoulment or oil spills, could be remedied through nanorobots designed to clean these toxic elements from the air we breath or the water we potable (Dunkley 2004).The material sciences will also significantly benefit from nanotechnology, with the promise of development of stronger and light plastics, computers with faster processors and increased memory transshipment center, ion storage for batteries (which will improve performance), quick-charging battery cars, and dismiss cells for motor-driven devices that are environment-friendly and energy efficient (Gupta et al 2003). Perhaps a bit also far in the future, Dunkley even forrad the idea that it might be possible, with nanorobots moving atoms and molecules, for us to create common and familiar things from our own backyard, moving manufacturing to the domain of the family line with a wheelbarrow and a excavator (2004).Because of the great promise held by nanotechnology, governments intercontinental are investing in nanoresearch, to further refine our understanding of this small world. global investment in nanotechnology has been estimated to be 5 meg, according to the empurpled fraternity and the munificent honorary society of Engineering (2004). The European compass north pledged to spend 1 billion (Ball 2003), whereas Japan allocated $800M in 2003 (The gallant golf club & The Royal academy of Engineering 2004). The fall in States is willing to spend nearly $3.7 billion for nanotechnology from 2005 to 2008, with nearly $500 million allocated for research funding (Dunkley 2004 The Royal federation & The Royal academy of Engineering 2004 Thomas & Sayre 2005).The huge change nanotechnology can bring, as comfortably as the huge sums of money governments cosmopolitan are currently spending to befool this a reality, has sparked some questions from various sectors on the trespass of nanotechnologies, not only to the scientific fields to which it will be applied, but to the society in general. In the biologic sci ences, for instance, the primary concern is the possible perniciousness picand chronic exposure, at thatto nanoparticles can bring about, since these materials have the capability of interacting with cells and cellular organelles, and hence, alter body physiology (Ball 2003 The Royal indian lodge & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Dreher (2004), and Thomas and Sayre (2005) have recently reviewed the evidence on the health allude of nanotechnology exposure, and found that there is a paucity of evidence to pass on or preclude use of nanotechnologies in humans pending entire investigations and small evidence supporting or ridicule the same. Ball (2003) notes that, in the same centering as new drugs or devices, nanotechnology mustiness be viewed as a potential health hazard unless proven otherwise. commodious scale production in the future would necessitate hazard-testing and human exposure discernment, to denigrate risks (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engin eering 2004).The significant economic impact of nanotechnologies, according to experts, may not be felt in the short-term, although this must be viewed with caution, since it is entirely difficult to predict what impact a maturation technology that has not yet realized its full potential will have (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). The differing capacities of developed, developing and underdeveloped countries to participate in the nanotechnology zip has also brocaded concerns that it might come to the fore the economic gap between these nations, leading to what is referred to as a nanodivide (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). Finally, patenting of nanotechnologywhich is good since it would, though economic incentive, encourage other individuals to contribute to scientific progressmay stifle creativity or institution when a broad one is allow (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Another area of concern is soldiery and defense capability. The development of new devices pervasive sensors, improved clothing and armor, and enhanced entropy and communication exchangecould be viewed both as opportunities and threats, depending on who uses them, and how they are use (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). But more than this, the Royal Society (2004) cautions that the secrecy coupled with development of technologies for defense use might fuel public distrust, and heighten the understanding that nanotechnology is being developed primarily, if not entirely, for military ends.Ethical issues pervading the socio-cultural impact of nanotechnologies are also a concern. For instance, development of new nanodevices may cause a significant change in economic consumption patterns, role perception, education patterns, and eventually family life (Dunkley 2004). The end result, still according to Dunkley (2004) would be a shift in our cave in definition of inequality, poverty, and class, and finally, the way we construe society in general.If what Dunkley predicted would come true (i.e. manufacturing at our own backyard), then the capacity to produce would be entirely dependent on having the necessary resources for this production, which brings to fore the concern of slow-wittedness of the harvests of nanotechnology in the work force of a few. Although nanomanufacturing could present the solution to hunger and homelessness, the question remain whether it will alter our perception of the material world where we move (Dunkley 2004).The possibility of devices being used to memory in-personized information, although enhancing personal security on the one hand, also raises the possibility of violation of civil liberties, curiously when collection and distribution of the same is do without the consent of the person involved, or access code to these information could be limited to the hands of the few who could develop and control personal information dat abases or systems (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Finally, the possibility of radical human enhancement, or the conception of humans in the future, through nanotechnology (in continuative with biotechnology and information technology), though a remote possibility, still carries with it the burden of answer whether these creations are really human, and whether they also let souls like we do (Dunkley 2004). In the same vein, this new capability would radically change, if not totally abolish, our perception of religion and theology (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). On a lesser plane, the possibility of nanotechnology extending human longevity to hundreds of geezerhood will definitely alter our view of aging and death (Dunkley 2004).What, then, lies in store for us in the future with nanotechnology? Actually, no one can tell, since nanotechnology is but a frontierwhich, to Melbin is a pattern of lean settlement in space or ti meor what Dunkley (2004) describes as relatively unsettled and a wilderness postponement to be discovered. Until such time, therefore, that the full potential of nanotechnology has been realized, or at least understood through research, we may ceaselessly speculate about how nanotechnology will affect our daily lives and society in general, who will benefit from its, what and capabilities will it provide us. The concerns, however, raised in this paper are effectual considerations of the impact the future application of nanotechnologies will have, and this necessitates caution and vigilance on the part of all stakeholders.ReferencesBall P, 2003 (23 Jun), Nanotechnology Sciences Next Frontier or Just a Load of horseshit?, New Statesman, vol. 132, no. 4643, pp. 30-31.Buxton DB, Lee SC, Wickline SA, Ferrari M & for the Working Group Members, 2003 (02 Dec), Recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and alliance Institute Nanotechnology Working Group, Circulation, vol. 108, pp. 273 7-2742.Dreher KL, 2004, wellness and environmental impact of nanotechnology Toxicological assessment of manufactured nanoparticles, Toxicological Sciences, vol. 77, pp. 35.Dunkley RWS, 2004, Nanotechnology affable Consequences and Future Implications, Futures, vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 1129-1132.Gupta P, Malhotra R, Segal MA & Verhaeren MYFJ, 2003, new-fashioned trends in nanotechnology, in R Gulati, A Paoni & M Sawhney (eds), Kellogg on Technology & Innovation, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, pp. 261-283.The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering, 2004, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies opportunities and uncertainties, The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering, London.Thomas K & Sayre P, 2005, Research strategies for safety evaluation of nanomaterials, break-dance I Evaluating the human health implications of exposure to nanoscale materials, Toxicological Sciences, vol. 87, no. 2, pp. 316321.