What is Nanotechnology?
Presentation by Nanovip.com

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Introduction

The goal for this page is to explain what Nanotechnologies are and to present in a succinct manner the essential principal notions on the subject, so that newcomers to the field are given an overview of the perspectives and issues which will undoubtedly present themselves in the years to come. We should warn the reader that even the definition of “Nanotechnology” is controversial, and that some may wish to qualify our definition. For that reason, we have based our definition on the notions currently held by the professionals in the field.

Definition

Nanotechnology: The development and practical applications of structures and devices on a nanometer scale (between 1 and 100 nanometers).

-This is not to be confused with the term "Nanoscience", which does not describe a practical application but rather the scientific study of the properties of the nanometric world.
-"Nano" is a Greek prefix which signifies a "billionth" (one billionth of a meter is the unit of measure in the field of nanotechnology). An atom is smaller than a nanometer, but a molecule can be larger than this measure.
-A dimension of 100 nanometers is important in nanotechnology, because under this limit one observes new properties of matter, primarily due to the laws of quantum physics.

2 types of Nanotechnologies

A) Top-Down: From top (larger) to bottom (smaller). Mechanisms and structures are miniaturized to a nanometric scale. This has been the most frequent application of nanotechnology up to this point, in particular in the domain of electronics where miniaturization is preponderant.

B) Bottom-Up: From bottom (smaller) to top (larger). We begin with a nanometric structure such as a molecule, and through a process of assembly or self-assembly we create a mechanism larger than that with which we began. This approach, considered by some to be the one and only "true" nanotechnology, should allow an extremely precise control of matter. It is in this way that we will be able to free ourselves from the limits of miniaturization, notably in the domain of electronics.

The ultimate step for Bottom-Up Nanotechnology is called "molecular nanotechnology", or "molecular manufacturing", which has been brought to the forefront by the researcher K. Eric Drexler. True molecular factories are envisioned, capable of creating any material through a process of precisely controlled exponential assembly of atoms and molecules. When one realizes that the totality of our perceptible environment is constructed of a limited alphabet of different constituents (atoms), which give rise to creations as diverse as water, diamond, or bone, it is easy to imagine the nearly limitless potential which molecular assembly offers.

Some partisans of a more conservative vision of Nanotechnology contest the feasibility of molecular manufacturing, and thus hold a conflicting long-term view to that of Eric Drexler, the foremost proponent of molecular manufacturing theory. It is important to keep this dissention in perspective however, because most of the researchers involved feel that the maturity of Nanotechnology is a positive development, and that Nanotechnologies will significantly improve the quality of life on Earth (and in space) for the world’s population.

Perspectives

There is something ultimate about Nanotechnology: matter is manipulated at its most elementary level, the atom. Nanotechnologies are a logical step, unavoidable in the course of human progress.

More than just progress in a narrow realm of technology, this represents the birth process of a new "age" as we harness Nanotechnology’s potential. The areas of potential applications are multiple; from powerful UV-blocking sunscreens to nano-robots designed to repair at the cellular level. Below is presented a non-exhaustive list of the principal domains which will be affected by developments in Nanotechnology:

-Materials: new materials, harder, more durable and resistant, lighter and less expensive.

-Electronics: electronic components will become smaller and smaller, allowing the design of more powerful computers.

-Energy: a vast increase in the potential of solar energy generation is envisioned, for example.

-Health and nanobiotechnologies: great expectations are held in the areas of prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. For example, nanoscopic probes could be put in place to measure our state of health around the clock, new tools could be developed to fight genetic disease at the level of the gene, and markers could be created to detect and, one by one, destroy cancerous cells, just to name a few of the many possibilities.

Developments in these domains would impact a broad range of industries, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer appliances, hygienics, construction, communication, security and safety, and space exploration. Our environment will benefit as well, in terms of clean, economical energy production, and the use of more environmentally friendly materials.

If brief, many areas of our daily lives will be affected in one way or another by the development of Nanotechnologies, because Nanotechnologies will permit us to do better, with less.

Timetable

As of today, at the dawn of the Third Millennium, nanotechnological products are already on the market. Thus, one can purchase lighter and stronger tennis rackets composed of carbon nanotubes, or even cosmetics containing nanoparticles which allow better penetration of the skin. But we are still far from the nanotechnology era which will impact our daily lives. When will that revolution take place? When will we benefit substantially from progress in Nanotechnology research and development? The estimates vary. The predicted range is from the years 2010 to 2040, with the progressive development of the Bottom-Up approach to its end-point of molecular manufacturing, so that we can test if this theory can be put to practical use without any major obstacles.

Stakes, responsibilities

The stakes involved in the development of Nanotechnologies are continental: America, Europe, and Asia are actively preparing for ongoing development efforts which won’t be stopping anytime soon. Massive investments are being made for the purpose of developing Nanotechnologies all over the world.

To try to suffocate the development of this great post-industrial revolution currently taking shape for extremist ethical reasons, or for anti-apocalyptic prudence, would be a grave error in strategy, because more than ever world competition will continue to develop, and new Nanotechnology super-powers may appear, notably in Asia.

So, if the development of Nanotechnologies is to be encouraged, the effort must be made in the right direction: safeguards must be put in place, because as with all great technological advances, new potentialities contain unknowns and risks about which we must be concerned, such as a new arms race based on smaller, deadlier weapons.

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