Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology and what is its purpose?

The US Government’s National Nanotechnology Initiative defines nanotechnology as “the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometres, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.” A nanometre is a millionth of a millimetre - to bring that scale into context, a nanometre is the amount a man's beard grows in the time it takes him to raise the razor to his face.

Nanotechnology refers to a field of applied science and technology whose theme is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale, generally 100 nanometres or smaller, and the fabrication of devices or materials that lie within that size range.

An estimated global research and development investment of nearly $9 billion per year is anticipated to lead to new medical treatments and tools; more efficient energy production, storage and transmission; better access to clean water; more effective pollution reduction and prevention; and stronger, lighter materials.

How does Nanotechnology works?

Atoms and molecules are the fundamental building blocks of the material world вЂ" using nanotechnology scientists can start affecting the properties of materials directly, making them harder or lighter or more durable. In some cases, making things smaller changes their propertiesвЂ"a chemical might take on a new colour, or start to conduct electricity when altered at the nanoscale.

Nanotechnology can essentially change the internal structure of compounds. For example, pure carbon can take form of either a diamond or graphite. By arranging carbon into precise nanometre-scale structures, a new product is created that is up to thirty times stronger than steel, yet is one sixth the weight. This form of carbon is called a “nanotube” and is one of the earliest forms of nanotechnology.

There are two main approaches used in nanotechnology: "bottom-up" approach is when materials and devices are built from molecular components which assemble themselves chemically by principles of molecular recognition; in the "top-down" approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic-level control. The advances in analytical tools such as the scanning tunnelling microscope and the atomic force microscope, complemented with processes such as electron beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, allow scientists to manipulate nanostructures and observe new phenomena and properties.

How Nanotechnology impacts our lives?

Nanotechnology is used for a wide variety of applications and currently there more than six hundred nanotechnology-enabled consumer products on the market. Carbon nanotubes are used to make bicycle and tennis rackets frames making them lighter and stronger. Many sunscreens contain nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to better block UV radiation. Clothes are treated with nano-engineered coatings that make them stain-proof or static-free.

Microchips with nanoscale components are in computers to mp3 players, digital cameras and video game consoles. In medicine, molecular-sized particles deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific cells in the human body. Engineering particles to be used in this way allows detection and treatment of diseases or injuries within the targeted cells, thereby minimizing the damage to healthy cells in the body. While nanotechnology’s application in medicine is largely under development, at present nanocrystalline silver is being used as an antimicrobial agent in the treatment of wounds

What is the market for Nanotechnology?

In 2007, $60 billion worth of nano-enabled products were sold, and this figure is predicted to rise to $150 billion by 2008. Nanotechnology will also produce employment opportunities, with an anticipated 7 million jobs generated globally by nanotechnology in the next decade. By 2014, the Lux Research group predicts that $2.6 trillion in manufactured