What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology Challenges, Risks and Ethics

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:06:00 +0200

The most immediate challenge in nanotechnology is that we need to learn more about materials and their properties at the nanoscale. Universities and corporations across the world are rigorously studying how atoms fit together to form larger structures. We're still learning about how quantum mechanics impact substances at the nanoscale.

Because elements at the nanoscale behave differently than they do in their bulk form, there's a concern that some nanoparticles could be toxic. Some doctors worry that the nanoparticles are so small, that they could easily cross the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the brain from harmful chemicals in the bloodstream. If we plan on using nanoparticles to coat everything from our clothing to our highways, we need to be sure that they won't poison us.

Closely related to the knowledge barrier is the technical barrier. In order for the incredible predictions regarding nanotechnology to come true, we have to find ways to mass produce nano-size products like transistors and nanowires. While we can use nanoparticles to build things like tennis rackets and make wrinkle-free fabrics, we can't make really complex microprocessor chips with nanowires yet.

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The Future of Nanotechnology

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:03:00 +0200

In the world of "Star Trek," machines called replicators can produce practically any physical object, from weapons to a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea. Long considered to be exclusively the product of science fiction, today some people believe replicators are a very real possibility. They call it molecular manufacturing, and if it ever does become a reality, it could drastically change the world.

Atoms and molecules stick together because they have complementary shapes that lock together, or charges that attract. Just like with magnets, a positively charged atom will stick to a negatively charged atom. As millions of these atoms are pieced together by nanomachines, a specific product will begin to take shape. The goal of molecular manufacturing is to manipulate atoms individually and place them in a pattern to produce a desired structure.

The first step would be to develop nanoscopic machines, called assemblers, that scientists can program to manipulate atoms and molecules at will. Rice University Professor Richard Smalley points out that it would take a single nanoscopic machine millions of years to assemble a meaningful amount of material. In order for molecular manufacturing to be practical, you would need trillions of assemblers working together simultaneously. Eric Drexler believes that assemblers could first replicate themselves, building other assemblers. Each generation would build another, resulting in exponential growth until there are enough assemblers to produce.. ( devamı )

Products with Nanotechnology

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:02:00 +0200

You might be surprised to find out how many products on the market are already benefiting from nanotechnology.

Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Ingredients like zinc oxide can leave a white sheen behind. But sunscreens with zinc oxide nanoparticles rub on clear.
Sunscreen - Many sunscreens contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Older sunscreen formulas use larger particles, which is what gives most sunscreens their whitish color. Smaller particles are less visible, meaning that when you rub the sunscreen into your skin, it doesn't give you a whitish tinge.
Self-cleaning glass - A company called Pilkington offers a product they call Activ Glass, which uses nanoparticles to make the glass photocatalytic and hydrophilic. The photocatalytic effect means that when UV radiation from light hits the glass, nanoparticles become energized and begin to break down and loosen organic molecules on the glass (in other words, dirt). Hydrophilic means that when water makes contact with the glass, it spreads across the glass evenly, which helps wash the glass clean.
Clothing - Scientists are using nanoparticles to enhance your clothing. By coating fabrics with a thin layer of zinc oxide nanoparticles, manufacturers can cr.. ( devamı )

Nanowires and Carbon Nanotubes

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Currently, scientists find two nano-size structures of particular interest: nanowires and carbon nanotubes. Nanowires are wires with a very small diameter, sometimes as small as 1 nanometer. Scientists hope to use them to build tiny transistors for computer chips and other electronic devices. In the last couple of years, carbon nanotubes have overshadowed nanowires. We're still learning about these structures, but what we've learned so far is very exciting.

A carbon nanotube is a nano-size cylinder of carbon atoms. Imagine a sheet of carbon atoms, which would look like a sheet of hexagons. If you roll that sheet into a tube, you'd have a carbon nanotube. Carbon nanotube properties depend on how you roll the sheet. In other words, even though all carbon nanotubes are made of carbon, they can be very different from one another based on how you align the individual atoms.

With the right arrangement of atoms, you can create a carbon nanotube that's hundreds of times stronger than steel, but six times lighter [source: The Ecologist]. Engineers plan to make building material out of carbon nanotubes, particularly for things like cars and airplanes. Lighter vehicles would mean better fuel efficiency, and the added strength translates to increased passenger safety.

Carbon nanotubes can also be effective semiconductors with the right.. ( devamı )

NNI Strategic Plan

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:56:00 +0200

NNI Strategic Plan

The Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Technology, with support from the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, has released a new NNI Strategic Plan as called for in the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (Public Law 108-153) of 2003. This plan updates and replaces the NNI Strategic Plan of December 2004.

The 2007 NNI Strategic Plan describes the vision, goals, and priorities of the NNI. Through the approach described in this new Strategic Plan, the NNI will ensure that the United States derives growing economic benefits and improved quality of life for its citizens, and remains a global leader in nanotechnology R&D in the years to come.

In reviewing the basic elements of the existing strategic plan, the NSET Subcommittee found many aspects still relevant and appropriate. However, a number of modifications have been made to reflect progress that has taken place since 2004 and to emphasize and clarify the significance that nanotechnology advances will have for our nation.

As in the earlier strategic plan, this NNI Strategic Plan identifies major subject areas, or program component areas (PCAs), in which investments are needed to ensure success of the initiative. To better understand and manage the NNI investment, the Societal Dimensions PCA defined in the 2004 plan is divided into two PCAs in this updated plan, one titled Environment, Health and Safety and one titled Education and Societal Dimensions. This change aligns with budget reporting practices since 2.. ( devamı )

How Nanotechnology Works

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:55:00 +0200

There's an unprecedented multidisciplinary convergence of scientists dedicated to the study of a world so small, we can't see it -- even with a light microscope. That world is the field of nanotechnology, the realm of atoms and nanostructures. Nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it. Even so, predictions range from the ability to reproduce things like diamonds and food to the world being devoured by self-replicating nanorobots.

In order to understand the unusual world of nanotechnology, we need to get an idea of the units of measure involved. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter, a millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter, and a micrometer is one-millionth of a meter, but all of these are still huge compared to the nanoscale. A nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter, smaller than the wavelength of visible light and a hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair [source: Berkeley Lab].

Video Gallery: NanotechnologyNanotechnology deals with materials and machines on an incredibly t.. ( devamı )

Finding a Solution that Balances Many Interests

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:35:00 +0200

Overview: The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has developed a tentative outline for the international administration of molecular nanotechnology (MNT). Under this proposal, a self-contained, secure molecular manufacturing system—a personal nanofactory—would be developed in a closely guarded crash program. The personal nanofactory (PN) would be released for widespread use. A PN would only be able to make approved products, or approved classes of products, and the approval process could be quite flexible without giving up too much control. Very few products, even military products, require a built-in molecular manufacturing capability. Families of products could be classified according to increasing product safety and MNT containment. Only unusually dangerous products would require any human approval. At the same time, the built-in restriction infrastructure would allow military, commercial, and societal interests to be protected. Intellectual property could be protected without discouraging innovation or preventing humanitarian aid.

Nanotechnology Basics: For Students and Other Learners

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:33:00 +0200

What is nanotechnology all about?

Nanotechnology is the engineering of tiny machines — the projected ability to build things from the bottom up inside personal nanofactories (PNs), using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, highly advanced products. Ultimately, nanotechnology will enable control of matter at the nanometer scale, using mechanochemistry. Shortly after this envisioned molecular machinery is created, it will result in a manufacturing revolution, probably causin.. ( devamı )

What is Nanotechnology?

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:57:00 +0200

A nanotech program must balance many benefits and risks.

A basic definition: Nanotechnology is the engineering of ********al systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current work and concepts that are more advanced.

In its original sense, 'nanotechnology' refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products.

With 15,342 atoms, this parallel-shaft speed reducer gear is one of the largest nanomechanical devices ever modeled in atomic detail. LINK

The Meaning of Nanotechnology