Introduction to Nanotechnology
An introduction to nanotechnology begins with an understanding that it
is a multi-disciplinary field that combines chemistry, materials
science & engineering, physics and biology. Nanotechnology utilizes
data from these fields and also contributes to them. In actuality,
nanotechnology provides unique new solutions based upon atomic and
molecular-scale manipulations in very-small sizes between 1 and 100
nanometers.
Since a nanometer is one billionth of an inch, special, recently
developed microscopes are a pre-requisite for working in this size
range. And although nanotechnology has been known and identified since
the late 1050's, it was the development of atomic force and scanning
tunneling microscopes that gave rise to practical developments for a
wide range of applications.
Nanotechnology is a field where the study, fabrication and manipulation of structures in nanometer sizes take place. The 1 to 100-nanometer range covers the gap between atoms and molecules (which are both less than one nanometer in size) and larger materials and requires the application of quantum physics and basic chemistry. It requires highly-trained people who understand not only the natural laws govern how these particles function, but also natural or man-made nanoscopic and mesoscopic structures including fullerenes, clusters, nanotubes, macromolecules, nanorobots and nanosystems.
People work in this field in four distinct sub-areas called micro and nano-instrumentation, nano-electronics, nano-engineered materials and nano-biosystems. The first of these has produced some important applications of miniature instruments that are able to measure both atoms and molecules in clinical, chemical and biochemical analysis. Nano-electronics defines the development of systems and materials necessary to permit the electronics field to surpass current technological limits by being able to deliver even finer details than found in today's best microchips. It also deals with the latest generation of electronics that is based upon polymers (plastics) which promises to create things ranging from smart cards to tubal computers.
The nano-engineered materials subset examines advanced materials such as nano-crystallines and nano-powders, which have applications in electronics and photonics, as catalysts in automobile manufacturing, food and pharmaceutical products and industrial polymers.
In nano-biosystems, we see the molecular manipulation of biological materials including peptides, DNA, cell chips and proteins.
Nanotechnology is currently being applied in the cosmetics industry, the manufacturing of contact lenses in a variety of colors, medical research and development, coatings, paints and lacquers, pharmaceutical research and development, stain-resistant coatings and other fields. The general consensus is that we have barely scratched the surface in exploring new processes and manufacturing techniques using nanotechnology and also that a large number of important future products will be made practical by it's revelations.
The field is also not without its critics, especially when applied to cosmetic products for topical use because the particles involved are so small that there are concerns that they can filter through the skin and reach the bloodstream. To date, however, nobody has demonstrated any health or safety risks from their use.
Nanotechnology is a field where the study, fabrication and manipulation of structures in nanometer sizes take place. The 1 to 100-nanometer range covers the gap between atoms and molecules (which are both less than one nanometer in size) and larger materials and requires the application of quantum physics and basic chemistry. It requires highly-trained people who understand not only the natural laws govern how these particles function, but also natural or man-made nanoscopic and mesoscopic structures including fullerenes, clusters, nanotubes, macromolecules, nanorobots and nanosystems.
People work in this field in four distinct sub-areas called micro and nano-instrumentation, nano-electronics, nano-engineered materials and nano-biosystems. The first of these has produced some important applications of miniature instruments that are able to measure both atoms and molecules in clinical, chemical and biochemical analysis. Nano-electronics defines the development of systems and materials necessary to permit the electronics field to surpass current technological limits by being able to deliver even finer details than found in today's best microchips. It also deals with the latest generation of electronics that is based upon polymers (plastics) which promises to create things ranging from smart cards to tubal computers.
The nano-engineered materials subset examines advanced materials such as nano-crystallines and nano-powders, which have applications in electronics and photonics, as catalysts in automobile manufacturing, food and pharmaceutical products and industrial polymers.
In nano-biosystems, we see the molecular manipulation of biological materials including peptides, DNA, cell chips and proteins.
Nanotechnology is currently being applied in the cosmetics industry, the manufacturing of contact lenses in a variety of colors, medical research and development, coatings, paints and lacquers, pharmaceutical research and development, stain-resistant coatings and other fields. The general consensus is that we have barely scratched the surface in exploring new processes and manufacturing techniques using nanotechnology and also that a large number of important future products will be made practical by it's revelations.
The field is also not without its critics, especially when applied to cosmetic products for topical use because the particles involved are so small that there are concerns that they can filter through the skin and reach the bloodstream. To date, however, nobody has demonstrated any health or safety risks from their use.
