History of Nanotechnology
The history of nanotechnology actually began in 1959, when the renowned
physicist, Richard Feynman gave a lecture that included his belief that
it should be feasible to build machines small enough to create objects
with atomic precision. He also predicted that this would allow objects
to be stored with unparalled density.
Eleven years later, in 1970, Eric Drexler started to invent things that
would later be classified under molecular manufacturing. Drexler's
foresight included his understanding that molecular machines could be
applied to controlling the manufacture of complex products along with
other manufacturing systems. He saw this as a powerful new technology
with huge scientific and commercial possibilities. Starting in 1981,
Drexler commenced publishing scientific papers on the subject, but it
wasn't until 1986 when he introduced the term 'nanotechnology' in his
now-famous book, "Engines of Creation" where he described his approach
to manufacturing and also detailed the consequences he perceived. In
1992, Drexler published another book, "Nanosystems", which was a
technical work that outlined to make extremely high-performance devices
using molecular carbon lattice called "diamondold". He was also deep
into policy activism to elevate awareness of the implications of this
new technology.
Drexler's book Engines of Creation created quite a stir and lots of excitement. It made the term nanotechnology well known as it's meaning was evolving. By 1992, Drexler was using terms including molecular nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing to set apart his ideas from simpler product-focused concepts that were borrowing the word nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology got its first federal funding during the term of President Clinton when the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created. The NNI's funding was directed to nanoscale technology for anything with unique properties in the 1-to 100-nanometer size range. Many critics began to voice their concerns about the risks inherent with products in nanometer sizes. This viewpoint continues unabated today. Moreover, there are some scientists to whom the entire concept is science fiction and not achievable in reality. Some also fear that self-replicating nanorobots could lead to a risk such as that posed by the fictional Cylons in the TV Series Battlestar Galactica.
As of today, scientists who have embraced the fields of nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing have taken control of individual atoms and molecules. They are manipulating them and applying them with hitherto unthought-of of degrees of precision. Governments and businesses alike, have invested billions of dollars and breakthroughs are being announced on a regular basis. Breakthroughs early on came from hallowed halls of research at MIT and companies such as IBM.
Right now, molecular manufacturing has been successfully applied to products in the cosmetics industry, optical manufacturing, surface coatings and protective garments. There are also numerous potential medical applications being explored by marrying certain nanometer-sized products with others such as lasers. And while the critics continue to publish opinions filled with risk and cautions, it seems likely that the field of nanotechnology will continue to grow and expand and thus to produce some valuable new processes and products in the years ahead.
Drexler's book Engines of Creation created quite a stir and lots of excitement. It made the term nanotechnology well known as it's meaning was evolving. By 1992, Drexler was using terms including molecular nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing to set apart his ideas from simpler product-focused concepts that were borrowing the word nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology got its first federal funding during the term of President Clinton when the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created. The NNI's funding was directed to nanoscale technology for anything with unique properties in the 1-to 100-nanometer size range. Many critics began to voice their concerns about the risks inherent with products in nanometer sizes. This viewpoint continues unabated today. Moreover, there are some scientists to whom the entire concept is science fiction and not achievable in reality. Some also fear that self-replicating nanorobots could lead to a risk such as that posed by the fictional Cylons in the TV Series Battlestar Galactica.
As of today, scientists who have embraced the fields of nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing have taken control of individual atoms and molecules. They are manipulating them and applying them with hitherto unthought-of of degrees of precision. Governments and businesses alike, have invested billions of dollars and breakthroughs are being announced on a regular basis. Breakthroughs early on came from hallowed halls of research at MIT and companies such as IBM.
Right now, molecular manufacturing has been successfully applied to products in the cosmetics industry, optical manufacturing, surface coatings and protective garments. There are also numerous potential medical applications being explored by marrying certain nanometer-sized products with others such as lasers. And while the critics continue to publish opinions filled with risk and cautions, it seems likely that the field of nanotechnology will continue to grow and expand and thus to produce some valuable new processes and products in the years ahead.
