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Nanotechnology – The way of future Nanotechnology is an interesting industry in and of itself and it will lead the future in nearly every other industry.
Big things from a tiny world!

Researchers and scientists completely dedicated their study to a new world, which is so small that we can't see it even with a microscope. This world is the field known as nanotechnology – the monarchy of atoms and nano-structures.

Nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it. But, science experts predict that nanotechnology has the potential to profoundly change our world and our economy to improve our standard of living. Numerous products featuring unique properties of nanoscale materials are already available to consumers and industry today.

Everything you see around is made up of atoms. The properties of each of these products depend on how the atoms are arranged in them. Rearranging the atoms in coal can result in production of diamonds. Rearranging atoms in sand along with few other elements can create computer chips!

Manufacturing technology of different products is not developed at minute level so precisely. We can make shift and arrange atoms, but not each of them individually but in groups and bulks. Its just like you are playing with LEGO blocks but using not the individual units separately, moving groups of LEGO blocks around.

nanotechnology Nanoparticles – These are microscopic particles with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. Nanoparticle research is currently an area of intense scientific interest due to a wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, optical and electronic fields.
Molecular nanotechnology

Nanotechnology can give us the power to deal and arrange each atom on individual level. We would not be restricted in only arranging the atoms in groups but will be able to arrange each atom as we like it to be arranged and placed with different atomic models.

We will be able to snap different building blocks of nature with ease, in an inexpensive way, and all of this governed by the laws of physics. This is very important for the revolution in computer hardware to continue on its path in the future decades. It will be important to let us develop new generation of products that are environmental friendly, lighter, stronger and more precise.

The term nanotechnology refers to the idea of anything smaller than microtechnology. It is more precisely labeled molecular nanotechnology (MNT). It is worth mentioning that the popularity of nanotechnology has increased drastically in recent past among researchers. It is used to describe various kinds of research where the characteristic dimensions are less than about 100 nanometers.

Much of the exponential improvement in computer hardware performance and capability has remained steady for the last few decades. But now the conventional technologies for the development of computer hardware are reaching their extremes. If we are to continue this development trend the way it is now, we will need some helping hand from nanotechnology. Then with nanotechnology, we will be able to build inexpensive, performance machines.

Conserving energy with Nanotechnology Solar Panel Nanotechnology solar power is designed to absorb the sunlight from any angle thus generating more energy and making it available at a lesser cost.
How is it going to change the world?

The idea of nanotechnology is to:

  • Get every single atom in its right place
  • Make any structure consistent with the laws of physics with molecular specifications
  • Restrict the manufacturing cost of such products more or less equal to the required raw materials and input energy.

We cannot really predict the future yet, and it's the same story with nanotechnology. But a good way to imagine the future of nanotechnology is to describe certain scenarios that can help us to understand the potential of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology can make solar cells more efficient, cheap and tough for storing sunlight energy without burning any earthly fuel. Efficient and inexpensive storage cells will yield low cost power, helping us to divert our financial resources to other world problems, such as poverty and hunger.

Cancer cure through nanotechnology – not so distant future Scientists have found a way to sneak nanoparticles carrying tumor-fighting drugs past cells of the immune system, which would normally engulf the particles, preventing them from reaching their target.
Better diagnostics with Nanotechnology

The human immune system is always at look out for any invading viruses. It recognizes them by their foreign molecular coats. Our immune system is not fast enough and is very slow to recognize something it never has encountered before.

The molecular mechanism of immune system can already destroy most potential cancers and diseases before they become hazardous for our body. With the help of nanotechnology, we aim to build molecular mechanisms that help our own system in catching those viruses that it misses, resulting in a disease free life.

Scientists and doctors are trying to develop biomedical applications based on nanotechnology for the sole purpose of the improvement in human health care. Such technology base can be used to restore some lost species. It will be lot easier to preserve our ecosystems and species intact.

Researchers already use computers to design their models and virtual reality systems are already helping them out with the visualization process. Using such systems, a user can move the image around. We have not been able to build a super computer to model a few million atoms as yet, even considering a pocket super computer is a far–fetched idea. But it is a reality that computers are shrinking in size and cost. With nanotechnology, a pocket super computer will be easy to have built.

Nano-remediation in action over pollutants
Nanotechnology in Pollution Control

In earth's atmosphere, the rise in carbon dioxide levels has alerted the world to the threat of pollution. Fossil fuels are depleting at an alarming rate. Fertile lands are becoming barren and the ratio is increasing day by day. Rain forests are endangered by man's expansion rate. Sea levels are rising. All these dangers to our planet can be tackled with success with the help of nanotechnology. It is particularly suited for treating groundwater aquifers and also contaminated soil.

The cost of a space flight mostly consists of high performance reliable hardware. MNT will make rocket and shuttles light weight and super strong, all at a very low cost. Add inexpensive fuel to the equation, and the result will be that space, the final frontier, will become more accessible than the other side of the ocean is today for human beings.

The role of Nanotechnology in Automotive industries The basic trends that nanotechnology enables for the automobile are : lighter but stronger materials (for better fuel consumption and increased safety); improved engine efficiency and fuel consumption for gasoline-powered cars (catalysts; fuel additives; lubricants); reduced environmental impact from hydrogen and fuel cell-powered cars; improved and miniaturized electronic systems; better economies (longer service life; lower component failure rate; smart materials for self-repair).
Nanotechnology in automotive industry

A plastic nanocomposite has been used for "step assists" in the GM Safari and Astro Vans. It is scratch–resistant, light–weight, and rust–proof, and generates improvements in strength and reductions in weight, which lead to fuel savings and increased longevity. And in 2001, Toyota started using nanocomposites in a bumper that makes it 60% lighter and twice as resistant to denting and scratching.

It is likely to be used on other models, as well as by other auto manufacturers in lowering weight, increasing milage, and creating longer–lasting autos. This is likely to impact repair shops (fewer repairs needed) and auto insurance companies (fewer claims).

Nanotechnology is also likely to be seen where ever weight, weather–proofing, durability, and strength are important factors. It is also expected that NASA, the ESA, and other space–faring organizations will take a serious look, which will eventually result in lower lift costs, which will result in more material being lifted into space.

Metal nanocrystals might be incorporated into car bumpers, making the parts stronger, or into aluminum, making it more wear resistant. They might be used to produce bearings that last longer than their conventional counterparts, new types of sensors and components for computers and electronic hardware.

Nanoprotection for textiles against stains Nanotechnology can provide high durability for fabrics, because nano-particles have a large surface area-to-volume ratio and high surface energy, thus presenting better affinity for fabrics and leading to an increase in durability of the function.
Nanotechnology in textile industry

Nanocrystals of various metals have been shown to be 100 percent, 200 percent and even as much as 300 percent harder than the same materials in bulk form. Because wear resistance often is dictated by the hardness of a metal, parts made from nanocrystals might last significantly longer than conventional parts.

Stain–repellent khakis, with surface fibers of 10 to 100 nanometers, use a process that coats each fiber of fabric with "nano–whiskers, " developed by Nano–Tex, a Burlington Industries subsidiary. Dockers also makes khakis, a dress shirt and even a tie treated with what they call "Stain Defender", another example of the same nanoscale cloth treatment.

Sunscreens are utilizing nanoparticles that are extremely effective at absorbing light, especially in the ultra–violet (UV) range. Due to the particle size, they spread more easily, cover better, and save money since you use less. And they are transparent, unlike traditional screens which are white. These sunscreens are so successful that by 2001 they had captured 60% of the Australian sunscreen market. The technology will also impact dry cleaners, detergent and stain–removal makers, carpet and furniture makers, window covering makers.

Nanotechnology edge in electronics By taking a novel approach and beginning at the smallest unit of data storage, the atom, scientists demonstrated magnetic storage that is at least 100 times denser than today’s hard disk drives and solid state memory chips.
Applications in various fields

AngstroMedica has produced a nano particulate based synthetic bone. Human bone is made of a calcium and phosphate composite called Hydroxyapatite. By manipulation of calcium and phosphate at the molecular level, they have created a patented material that is identical in structure and composition to natural bone. This novel synthetic bone can be used in areas where natural bone is damaged or removed, such as in the in the treatment of fractures and soft tissue injuries.

Nanodyne makes a tungsten–carbide–cobalt composite powder (grain size less than 15nm) that is used to make a sintered alloy as hard as diamond, which is in turn used to make cutting tools, drill bits, armor plate, and jet engine parts.

Kodak is producing OLED (organic light emitting diodes) color screens (made of nanostructured polymer films) for use in car stereos and cell phones. OLEDs may enable thinner, lighter, more flexible, less power consuming displays, and other consumer products such as cameras, PDAs, laptops, televisions, and other as yet undreamt of applications.

Nanocor is one company producing nanoclays and nanocomposites, for a variety of uses, including flame retardants, barrier film (as in juice containers), and bottle barrier. They are not only used to improve existing products, but also are extending their reach into areas formerly dominated by metal, glass and wood.

Wilson Double Core tennis balls have a nanocomposite coating that keeps it bouncing twice as long as an old–style ball. Made by InMat LLC, this nanocomposite is a mix of butyl rubber, intermingled with nanoclay particles, giving the ball substantially longer shelf life.

Nanotechnology purifies briny water The researchers say portable water purification devices using carbon nanotube membranes can remove contaminants as well as brine from water, even in remote regions.
Incredible products from Nanotechnology

Tires are the next logical extension of this technology: it would make them lighter (better millage) and last longer (better cost performance).

Nanoledge makes carbon nanotubes for commercial uses, of which one mundane (marketing tactic) use is in a tennis racket, made by Babolat. The yoke of the racket bends less during ball impact, improving the player's performance.

Argonide Nanomaterials, an Orlando based manufacturer of nanoparticles and nanofiltration products, makes a filter that is capable of filtering the smallest of particles. The performance is due to it's nano size alumina fiber, which attracts and retains sub–micron and nanosize particles. This disposable filter retains 99.9999+% of viruses at water flow rates several hundred times greater than virus–rated ultra porous membranes. It is useful for sterilization of biological, pharmaceutical and medical serums, protein separation, collector/concentrator for biological warfare detectors, and several other applications.