Nanotechnology and the Promise it Holds. Essay

Submitted By farazkhan9581
Words: 2148
Pages: 9

Ghiyasuddin Mohammed Faraz Khan
LS-690-MM:Grad Academic Success
July 16, 2014
Nanotechnology and the Promise it Holds:
Nanotechnology according to the US Government's National Nanotechnology Initiative is portrayed as "the understanding and control of matter at the dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 where unique phenomenon enable novel application" (2000). Nanotechnology at its basic level is production manipulation and implementation of objects at the nano-scale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Where one nanometer = 10-9 meters. This science provides us with opportunities to craft better products which have far greater potential, improved management with reduced risk to environment. However, the risks involved to human health by the use of nanotech can be overshadowed by their advantages. Nanotechnology has already started a revolution in almost all the sectors in the US. Health care systems have already employed nanotechnology and have had outstanding results. Nanotech can be used to strengthen armor of soldiers, for surveillance purposes, and a lot of other ways. Nanotech can be used to increase the durability of materials being used in machines or buildings etc, and enhance them. Nanotechnology is a new field of science with innovative opportunities with their respective advantages with minimal risks to both humans and environment. Nanotechnology is making a significant impact on the daily lives of US citizens because it is being used in many common household products and industries, however this increase is causing negative effects by causing monetary crisis, loss of jobs etc.
It is being speculated by patrons of nanotechnology that the impact of nanotechnology would be massive in the coming years. Millions and Billions of dollars are being invested behind this newly emerging field by the government agencies, universities and major co-operations to examine the concepts behind the nano-technology to develop new and improved medicinal commercial products. This may include newer high performance computers and biomedical devices at the size of atoms and cells. The US government alone is spending more than 1.5 billion for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in the proposed 2015 budget and has spent around 21 billion dollars approximately.
A few years ago, the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental laboratory which is a US department which of energy unit is supposed to have developed a super hard alloy of steel by implementing nano-technology. Their researchers have found a way to manipulate the atoms of an ally of steel to create coatings of steel which has super strength. This is employed on silicon semiconductors which are sensitive to increase their durability. Danial Branagen ,who is the lead scientist on the project stated that "Right now we are talking about coating and why materials fail in general. If you can protect the surface of a part you, can extend the lifetime of the past many lifetimes over. So it's is really a way to develop low cost standard engineering materials and low cost material systems" (2002).
The work being done at Foresight Institute is to support from simple nano-technology materials to smart nanoparticle materials to create and synthesize smart materials. Then devices will be next. In the near future, there is a possibility to create devices using "nanoparticle and building micro scale products to atomic precision," according to the Institute (2005). It is also being used in food industries. It can be used to develop food flavors, color texture and consistency of food stuffs etc along with food taste sensors so as to determine the food has went bad or not. Smart delivery of nutrients, bio-separation of proteins, etc are a few more emerging technologies in this field. Nanotechnology is also used in agricultural fields in order to kill the microbial pests and insects which destroy the crops by developing nanoparticle induced insecticides and pesticides. They can also be