Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology
Currently, the production of goods is basically putting together raw materials in such a manner that we think is correct - a perfect fit. This, however, is looking at the world from our point of view but, if look at the world in a very small scale, a measure called nanometers (one billionth of a meter), we can consider the production of goods as the piling together of atoms. Since we currently look at things in a big scale, we cannot see how something as small as atoms are being arranged. By looking at things in the nano world, we come to the realization that most of these atoms are not being put together properly (they are not arranged in the most efficient manner, in terms of atoms).

Nanotechnology is basically the science of arranging these atoms in the proper manner. The arrangement of atoms could lead to great advances in the way we produce goods, in medicine, transportation and, in particular, communciation and computer technologies. By rearranging and manipulating each atoms as we desire, we could adjust strength, weight, size, and many other aspects of basic everyday materials. Nanobots can be developed that while very small can perform elementary tasks that are currently performed by large machines. Imagine an army of these nanobots whose task is to cut; surgical incisions can be made so small, that they will not scar, yet more precise than any scalpel.

By rearranging atoms we manipulate the molecular makeup of an item, for example, creating a fiber of nanoparticles (atoms) that when threaded together can be used to make metals, that are stronger and lighter than the conventional metals we use now. Computer and communications technology has been greatly improved by the introduction of fiber optics, but for the most part the attempts to use the power of light and controlling light has been not very successful. However, through the introduction of nanotechnology, new fibers have been developed that speed up the process of data transferring and open the way for faster Internet connections, and communications systems that would surpass anything we know today.

A problem we face now with this technology is that we would require billions of these nanoparticles and/or nanobots in order to produce the tasks, and to manufacture each one requires precision and care which is difficult due to the issue of size. So in order to overcome this issue, scientists wish to develop some form of self-replicating nanoparticle/nanobot similar to the way cells self-replicate. This is the challenge facing any future steps in this great technology. Clearly this would be one of the biggest steps in technological advancement since the industrial revolution.