Molecular nanotechnology

We build objects in our daily world from elements that we can see and feel. We use bricks or clay or steel. Nanotechnology is the new science of building with objects at a molecular and atomic level.

Nanotechnology is important because it is the next level of creative science. It is common knowledge that modern science has come up against many walls or limitations that cannot be overcome with the present state of technology. For example, the limitations of computer speeds and hardware are a pressing problem today. These limitations can be overcome in future using this unique form of technology. One of the great promised advantages of Nanotechnology is the idea that it can be used to manufacture small robotic devices that can heal and clean the human body. Bur before we discuss these exciting future developments, let us first investigate the nano phenomenon.

Nanotechnology deals with experimentation with objects that have dimensions of less than about 1,000 nanometers. This is incredible small. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter in size. As we know, electronics works by dealing with minute elements and components. Nanotechnology takes this miniaturization to much greater levels of smallness. Tools have been developed which allow scientists and researchers to work at a level where the molecules and atoms of an object can be moved and manipulated. Everything is built from atoms so it is easy to begin imagining the advantages of this technology. In actual practice this means that using special robotic arms, objects can be build up one atom at a time. One of the most exciting prospects of this technology is that, as scientists know which atoms go together and how to manipulate these connections, there is every possibly of creating new objects with special purposes and shapes.

It is not possible to go into the actual techniques employed in Nanotechnology in this short article. One of the examples of how this technology works is through the use of powerful nuclear microscopes that are capable of moving around individual atoms. Another way in which atoms can be moved and manipulated is through proteins. Proteins have the ability to manipulate other atoms. Scientists who have the knowledge of Protein manipulation can, in turn, use this knowledge to move and manipulate atoms. Scientists have even begun designing proteins with special properties than can be used in the structuring of other atoms, and therefore in the development of atom- building procedures.

The idea of Nanotechnology production is something in line with following scenario. One nano-robot using the technology would not be able to do much as its production output would be very slow. However, if nano-robots could be produced that would be programmed to replicate themselves, then the possibilities of the production of other materials would greatly increase.

Some of the possibilities.

Using Nanotechnology it becomes possible to create unheard of materials and objects. There is even the prospect of self–building objects. In other words, the nano-products could be programmed to manipulate the molecules and atoms after they have been made. Imagine consumer goods that replace themselves in the future. It seems like so much science fiction, but some scientists suggest that this technology is very near reality.

Other things that could be achieved with this technology include the creation of computer chips that would be much faster due to the smaller components that can be made. Of course it is in the medical field that Nanotechnology can really produce miracles. Imagine a nano-robot that is programmed to travel through your bloodstream and is capable of cleaning out any fatty deposits, so reducing the likelihood of heart diseases. There are a number of amazing possibilities in this context. It has also been suggested that using Nanotechnology, medical diagnosis will be transformed and that the use of nano-robots within the body could provide a defense against invading viruses. This has particular application when considering the immune system as this technology could be used to combat immune deficiency diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Another possibly is the development or creation of food. As food is also a combination of atoms, there is no theoretical reason that once perfected, this technology could not actually be used to produce rather than grow food. The possibilities are endless. There is even speculation that the earth could be ecologically reshaped or "terraformed". This could also mean the reintroduction of already extinguished species of animals. Of course this all lies in the future. However, one only has to think of other technologies, including the home computer, which, only a few years ago, were the stuff of imaginative science fiction.

The downside?

There is always a downside. One of the aspects of this new technology that has to be carefully considered is, who would control a technology as powerful as this promises to be? This is always a possibility that those who do control this technology would not use it to the advantage of everyone. Lastly, change in itself can bring about problems. Change that is too rapid could upset economies and create disruption instead of construction.