NanotechnologyYesterday, Today and Tomorrow

March 21, 2008

What Nanotechnology Is…“Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale.”–

(What is Nanotechnology?)

“To begin, "nano" is actually a prefix that comes from the Greek word for dwarf.”– (Cook)

1/1,000,000,000 of a meter

is the size of a nanometer

Think about the size of a nanometer for a second…

Nanotechnology Information…

Funding for Nanotechnology research has increased, as well as papers published

“Interest in clean water research is flowing. And much of it is focused on nanotechnology, which many believe will be a

major contributor to new industrial and public water

purification systems.” – (NNI)

The History…On December 29, 1959, Richard Feynman was the first scientist to suggest machines at

an atomic level.

Richard Feynman

The History…Eric Drexler, in 1981, published the article, “Molecular engineering: An approach to the development of general capabilities for molecular manipulation” – (Kelty)

He also published his first book, Engines of Creation, in 1986

“In 1988 he taught the first formal course on nanotechnology while a visiting scholar at Stanford University” – (IEEE)

Created term “Nanotechnology

EricDrexler

Current Uses…“Apollo makes real diamonds using nanotechnology.” – (Maney)

SunscreensDrugs

“A study by Lux Research found that 3,800 nanotech patents have been issued so far, and 1,777 more are pending.” – (Maney)

Current Uses…

A plastic nanocomposite is being used for “step assists” in the GM Safari and Astro Vans

Nanocrystals have been shown to be from 100 % to 300% harder than the same materials in bulk form

Used in antibacterial socks

Toothpaste also contains nanotechnology

Future Uses…

“Researchers also are working toward engineered nanomaterials for use as artificial tissues that will replace

diseased kidneys and livers, and even repair nerve damage.” – (McCarter)

More questions than ideas at this point in the game

Nanotechnology is still a new discovery

What Now… The possibilities are probably endless

Great caution needs to be taken when dealing with altering the human contents

Could have great results if handled properly

Need to keep an open mind

Works Cited"Benefits of Nanotech." Nanotech Facts. 2008. National Nanotechnology Initiative. 22 Mar

2008 <http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/benefits.html>.

Cook, Kathleen. "The Beginning." Discover NANO. 2005. Northwestern University. 22 Mar 2008 <http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/whatis/index_html/beginning_html>.

Feynman, Richard. "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." Advancing Beneficial Nanotechnology. 2008. Foresight Nanotech Institute. 22 Mar 2008

<http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/feynman.html>.

Kelty, Christopher. "The Early History of Nanotechnology." CONNEXIONS. 06 May 2007. CONNEXIONS. 22 Mar 2008 <http://cnx.org/content/m14504/latest/>.

Maney, Kevin. "Nanotechnology's Everywhere." USA Today.com. 2008. USA Today. 22 Mar 2008 <http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2005-05-31-

nanotech_x.htm>.

Works CitedMcCarter, Sharon. "New report explores nanotechnology's future." Eurek Alert. 23 Apr 2007. Eurek Alert. 22 Mar 2008 <http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-04/poen-

nre041607.php>.

"What is Nanotechnology?." Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. 2008. CRN. 22 Mar 2008 <http://www.crnano.org/whatis.htm>.

"What is Nanotechnology?." Nanotechnology. 2008. IOP: Electronic Journals. 22 Mar 2008 <http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0957-4484/14/1/001>.

Works Cited

Pictureshttp://cnx.org/content/m14504/latest/

http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

www.cryonicssociety.org

www.cnx.org

http://www.smalltimes.com/images/large/news/st_nanotexchart.jpg

http://www.nature.com/nnano/marketing/nanofacts.html

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~bull0035/nanowebsite/images/hong-feynman-sm.jpg

www.dbddiamonds.com

http://www.smh.com.au/ffxMedia/urlmedia_id_1068674381518_/media/2003/11/14/Variables.type/nanograph.jpg