Kenny Leones asked:




What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the science of constructing components, devices, materials and systems at a nanometer level which means “near-atomic.” The word “nano” is synonymous with one-billionth. So, in nanotechnology, the works and operations happen at the scale of 1/1,000,000,000 (one over one billionth) of a total meter. Such dimension or size is so small and thin. It is about 100,000 times smaller and slimmer than a strand of hair.

An atom, which is the building block of matter, is about this small. For instance, a DNA molecule, life’s blueprint and basic foundation of human genetics, is two nanometers in length. If a material is of this size, it is expected to have unique chemical and physical properties which are caused by several factors such as the significant increase in the surface area of the material as compared to its volume which happens when a particle becomes smaller.

Why is Nanotechnology Important?

Nanotechnology is playing a very important role today and in the future to change and improve every aspect of human activities. Nanotechnology influences a lot of materials used for manufacturing important items. These materials include biomaterials, ceramics, metals and polymers. The new and improved materials formed through nanotechnology are the source of most important technological advances. As of today, nanotechnology is used on following commercial applications:

Sunscreen Lotion – Through zinc oxide particles which have a “nano” size, ultraviolet (UV) rays are absorbed and reflected. As a result, sunscreen lotions appear transparent and are smooth when applied. Before, a sunscreen lotion is white and really sticky. Through, nanotechnology, these lotions are more attractive to customers.

Self-cleaning and scratch proof window – This kind of window is actually coated with a special material that has distinctive chemical properties. Once the sun shines on these self-cleaning windows, the material starts to have a chemical reaction and results to breaking down the dirt on it. Also, if there is rain, no droplets are formed. The rainwater is evenly spread on the window panel and it washes away the dirt that was broken down. The nanoscale controls the thickness of the layer.

Stain-repellent cloth or fabric – This is actually a fabric made of dipped woven rolls of cotton fabric in liquid form that has trillions of nanotechnology fibers. The cotton is dried inside an oven that binds these infinitesimal fibers of the cotton thread. As a result, the fabric becomes resistant to liquid although its physical appearance does not change.

Bouncing tennis ball – These balls are specially coated with a nano-sized material. The molecular barrier of the ball that formed because of these minute particles traps the molecules of air, thus, making the tennis ball bouncier.

Other Remarkable Uses of Nanotechnology:

- Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) – for monitor or TV screen displays
- Photovoltaic Film – for conversion of light to electricity
- Hip Joint – formed through biomaterials
- Bucky Tube Frame – this is light but remarkably very strong material
- Nano-particle paint – used to avoid corrosion
- Thermo-chromic glass – regulates light
- Magnetic Layers – used for compressed data memory storage
- Carbon Nanotube – fuel cells used to operate vehicles and electronics

In the future, nanotechnology can change the theories and applications we believe and use. The fields of manufacturing, information technology, electronics and communications have very advance future if nanotechnology is further enhanced.

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Oscar asked:


Does it bring more economic or environmental benefits?
Please explain! Thanks Are they also trying to depend on nanotechnology more instead of depending too much on oil?

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Connor R Sullivan asked:




We live in an age where the lines between computer support and human support are blurring. Computer repair means experienced people with an advanced knowledge of current computer technology. There are many small businesses specializing in computer repair services and consulting for companies and for the average person. But in the halls of many major universities studies are underway that would turn that notion on its head. Computer repair would mean vital body immune response would be carried out by smaller computers. Nanotechnology has come a long way and it is poised to change everything. One of the major fields of change will be in medical technology.

Nanotechnology is the application of technology using very small things. A nanometer is a unit of measurement. Nanotechnology use elements between 1 and 100 nanometers. If you took 800,000 nanometers and laid them side by side it would be about the width of a hair. That’s small stuff. Being able to operate and manipulate materials at such a small level holds great potential benefit in the medical arena. Many institutions and researchers are engaged in exciting studies that could lead to a major revolution in health care. Some changes are already occurring.

Currently there are many different studies using nanotechnology in a variety of ways. One area of interest is in how nanotechnology can help in diagnosing and treating cancer. One of the biggest drawbacks to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy is that it is a shotgun approach to treating the body. Normal and cancer cells are assaulted. With nanotechnology specific cells can be treated. There are studies that employee RNA strands that can find and attach to cancer cells. Once attached, these strands can release anti-cancer agents into the afflicted cells. Other studies have focused on creating a color coding system using nanotechnology that would create protein indicators that would attach to cancer cells making them easier to trace. Another developing use for nanotechnology in the fight against cancer is nano shells. Nano shells are made of minute beads with various thicknesses made of gold. These shells are drawn to cancer cells, surround them and then are heated with near infrared light which destroys the cancer cells, but spares the near by healthy cells not surrounded by nano shells.

Nano devices would be small enough to enter a cell. They would be so small that they would be able to interact with proteins and DNA. They would be able to monitor the cell and detect disease using a smaller quantity of cell tissue. This means that diseases and change in cell tissue could be monitored and detected much earlier in the process. Since success in fighting cancer often depends on early detection, this would be a major advance in cancer fighting technology.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area of science that combines many disciplines including; physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and many other sciences including political and social science. With continual breakthroughs in all different fields, the advent of Nanotechnology if fully upon us.

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