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Food for Thought |
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Nanotechnology : The future of technology is here!
by: Mario Solari, Techlearner Editor Date: February 14, 2003
There is already a whole movement dedicated to sponsoring Nanotechnology. Collaborative efforts such as the Foresight Institute or the Institute of Nanotechnology are disseminating Nanotech culture and making an effort to bring us up to date with the latest research information. But what is Nanotechnology exactly? What kind of impact can it have on society? Can we get to understand this technology in simple terms? It is certainly difficult to explain such an extensive tech-phenomena or put it in simple words. However, one way to look at it is as an extension of the Microelectronics technology revolution which started out with the development of the transistor. In the case of this older technology, Engineering, Chemistry and Physics united to create microprocessors, computers and all kind of electronics accessories and equipment. On the other hand, in the case of Nanotechnology there will be a fourth partner to Engineering, Chemistry and Physics, namely: Biology. The word "Nano" indicates that the effort towards going smaller continues and this technology has gone already to handling matter at the atomic level ("nano" stands for 10-9meters or one billionth of a meter). Dealing with matter at this level should enable Engineers to make memory cells at a much smaller scale than current electronics does, should also create possibilities for fabricating substances and materials of different kinds and even possibly simulate already existent materials. Other options such as creating "systems" and "devices" at the nano-range are certainly possible. "Howstuffworks" gives some possible examples of Nanotechnology applications. Other exciting current Research and News can be found at www.nanodot.org.
With all the range of possibilities wide open this technology certainly seems to be paving the future of mankind. Nonetheless, there are some obstacles in the way which must be opportunely dealt with to assure the development of Nano-tech. The first one is that this technology needs to be introduced to the classroom at the High-School level and certainly programs have to be properly developed at the College level. An article showing these views can be currently found at www.nanodot.org . It is only through proper education about this technology and its consequences that society can be well prepared to face the upcoming challenges. The second major issue that has to be addressed with caution, but promptly is the ethical repercussions that developing this technology will have on society as a whole. By introducing Biology as a major factor and partner into this field the effects to all forms of living organisms have to be exhaustively explored. Also, a complete study of the long term development of this technology has to be evaluated in complete detail. Let's not forget what happened to the Babel tower. Technology is a good thing if it is properly used and for the right purposes in mind.
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