What is nano technology
Nanotechnology can be defined as the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current research and also advanced research. In simple words it is the technology used to develop products for high performance. It is also at times called as general-purpose technology. Nanotechnology has the ability to affect all the industries and create a better and safer environment.
The nanotechnology industry
Nano technology is being talked just like the software and the IT industry. There are a number of companies that are doing research on nanotechnology and using the knowledge of nanoscale in the existing industries. There are a number of drug delivery systems that are being developed in the Pharmaceutical industry with the help of this technology.
Nano technology can said to be a facilitative technology rather than an industry in its own. It is basically a fundamental understanding of how the things work at the atomic level. There is a lot of scope of new industries being generated because of this technology in similar way as the telecoms and the computing industries were developed.
Nanotechnology has the ability to offer not just better products but a manufacturing process that is vastly improved.
Use of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is similar to any other branch of science and in basically concerned with the understanding of how the nature works. There are a number of fields that fall under the section of nanotechnology; it is a permutation of the existing and the recently researched technologies. This makes technology convincing from all aspects of scientific, business and political areas.
For the scientists development of nanotechnology has been a driving force and is at its very early stage. It will take a lot of time to develop to its fullest.
For businesses nanotechnology is not different than any other form of technology. In business the use of nanotechnology will be determined on the basis of the profit that it gives. This would mean lowering the production costs and the development of new products like development of newer and more efficient drug delivery systems and creation of a new range of products in the market.
Politically it can help the economy of a nation grow. It can also help in the growth of military as well as result in cultural changes. These changes would be more advanced in comparison to the other revolutions that have happed in the past in regard to the technology.
It is deciphered that the greatest short-term benefit of nanotechnology is in brining together the different fields of science, both physical as well as biological that are rarely related to each other. The use of nanotechnology should be considered in the unification of the different fields of science.
Types of nanotechnology
There are basically two types of nanotechnology. These are mentioned below.
1. Top-Down: The big sized mechanism and the structures are minimized to smaller nanometric scale. This has been applied in the electronics industry where miniaturization of bigger mechanisms and devices is required.
2. Bottom-Up: In this the smaller molecule is assembled to create a bigger mechanism larger than what has been made till date. This is considered to be the true nanotechnology and allows the precise control of matter. The most upgraded step in nanotechnology is referred to as the molecular nanotechnology. This process has been thought to create any material through the process of precisely controlled assembly of atoms and molecules.
Perspectives of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is unique in itself. The matter is controlled at the most elementary level like the atom. It makes the use of logical steps that cannot be avoided in the human progress. More than the progress of this technology in a narrowed stream it also signifies the development of a new technology age. Nanotechnology promises to give new products in the following areas :
1. Materials: new materials with more durability and strength and lighter in weight and less expensive.
2. Electronics: electronic components will become smaller in size that
would allow the design and manufacture of powerful computers.
3. Energy: there would be an increase in the use of solar energy
4. Health: there are promises for the development of newer drug delivery
systems that would help in more efficient treatment and lesser side effects on the patients.
There are many areas of our day-to-day life that would be affected by the development of nanotechnology because with the help of this technology we would be able to do more things in less, which would result in more efficiency.
Challenges in the development of nanotechnology
The challenge involved in the development of nanotechnology is basically continental. All the major powers are actively involved in the development of this technology. These developments would not be ending anytime soon and there are huge investments that have been done for the benefit of the entire world.
To stop this development for ethical or any other reasons can be a loss to the development of the new world technology that can be helpful to mankind in several ways. Because of the tremendous development of nanotechnology all over the world it is estimated that in the coming 5-8 years there would be a major change in the world of technology. Hence, if the development of nanotechnology is to be done then it should be given a right direction. The places of development should be safeguarded and the risks involved in the development should be identified and measures should be taken to minimize these risks.
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