(Using technology developed to construct microchips, engineers can now construct microscopic machinery (like the gears shown in this electron microscope image, dwarfed by a mite). Future generations of nano-machinery promise to be even smaller. Source: Sandia National Laboratories.)I have learned that nanotechnology was not that easy to explain. It was said that nanotechnology is very small. Its size is smaller than a nanometer. I’ve learned that nanotechnology is still in its infancy. Because during the mid-90’s, most engineers don’t think about small. They were thinking about big objects like big atomic bombs, big cars, and other big stuff. But there were other researchers who focus on making things smaller. Thus the invention of transistors and integrated circuits took place. But these small devices made the large devices. I’ve learned that during that time, electronics engineers were focusing on making things smaller and other engineers and scientists focus on smaller things. Those smaller things are atoms and molecules. They were studying how atoms are made and what’s the force that binds them together. They also understand how to combine atoms into molecules to produce useful things. Because of these, new studies were developed during the 80’s.
It was understood that nanotechnology was developed from the field of physics, chemistry, and electronics. There was this idea of making mechanical devices from atoms. But these resulting devices are bigger. Because the idea was to manipulate those atomic things.
There were these molecules that look like soccer balls. Scientists looked for practical use of these molecules. While they were searching for practical use of these molecules, other scientists discovered another thing. They invented this thing which can move atoms around. Because of these discoveries, new computers and software were developed for the scientists to stimulate and visualize chemical reactions of atoms and molecules. This is very helpful to them especially if they are dealing with complex molecules like DNA.
Genetic engineers were able to figure out ways on how to modify chemical reactions of DNA molecules and use them for scientific research. They were also able to replicate any DNA molecules they want to study. Because computers and other tools were available during the 90’s, they use DNA for construction of new chemicals and making tiny machines. There were able to make materials to interact with other materials and also attack diseases.
(Artist's rendition of the space elevator of the future. Source: IEEE Spectrum, Aug 2005)
As of now, the future of nanotechnology is not yet assured. But even so, engineers and scientists have a good vision about it. There was this thought that there will be long nanotubes to be used for space elevators. In the medical field nowadays, nanotechnologies can only detect diseased cancer cells for them to be easily targeted. But it is predicted that in the future, because of nanotechnology, nobody gets ill, gets old, or even die until they want to. There will be molecular machines that will be injected to us to repair unhealthy and aging cells. That means we will always have healthy cells.
Some researchers also believe that eventually they can assemble circuits atom by atom to create computer chips. The circuits in these chips will be much smaller and producing more power computers is possible. We can even upload and download our own personality into that computer.
Although many are optimistic about the nanotechnology, there are some researchers who evaluated the risk of this. Some say that there is a risk of allowing nanoparticles into the body. Others say that nanotechnology might get out of control that may lead to a great human disaster. There can be also a great competition of the bacteria, plants, and humans for natural resources.
The future of nanotechnology is still unsure. But whatever it is, the marvels of nanotechnology can come to life and downsides will be avoided if wisdom will be properly used.
