Nanotechnology $1
Trillion Revenue
by Ngureco
Nanotechnology revenues are estimated to reach $1
Trillion worldwide by 2015. Nanotechnology is often
considered as a new revolution, as was the industrial
revolution, because nanotechnology manipulates matter at
the atomic scale to create new applications in
materials, medicine, robotics, electronics and energy.
But what really is Nanotechnology? Nanotechnology is
a field of applied science and technology which gives us
the ability to build up things starting from the scale
of an individual atom. This means the ability to
manipulate materials so tiny that nothing can be built
any smaller. Twenty year ago you could not have imagined
the entire Encyclopedia being stored in a single memory
stick, and today, can you imagine the same stored in a
chip the size of a dust particle? When you divide one
metre by one billion you get one nano. If you split
bacteria into 200 equal parts, then one part equals one
nanometre. This is the atom scale of the nanotechnology.
When things are built at such a scale you get precision,
strength, unique colours and a feel of creation rather
than built. The idea of nanotechnology was started in
1959 by a physicist Richard Feynman at American Physical
Society meeting at Caltech.
There is still a long way to go to handle materials
on a nano scale. Many scientists believe that within the
next twenty year we will achieve a lot in this field.
During that time we will have to establish techniques to
move single atoms using nano robots machines operating
at nanoscale and build large-scale structures. Like the
invention of the wheel, there will be nano gears,
bearings, motors, nano compiler, and nano multipliers
and so on and so forth. About twenty years ago, IBM were
able to position 35 xenon atoms on the surface of a
nickel crystal using atomic force microscopy instrument
which spelled out the word IBM. Since then, modern use
has been in the manufacture of polymers based on
molecular structure and design of surface science
computer chip layouts. Commercially, nanotechnology is
being applied in bulk nano-particles in manufacture of
stain resistant clothing, protective coatings, suntan
lotions, disinfectants, fuel catalysts and cosmetics.
As we stand now, nanotechnology is the new frontier
and its potential impact is compelling. Huge amounts of
funding are being spent by governments towards
nanotechnology research and development. Like before,
the main beneficially of such funding is Defence. New
nanotech weapons and lightweight bullet-proof nanotech
clothing are soon coming up. Once through with military
superiority, then the nanotechnology will be released
proper to the private sector. Here, there will be better
uses that will include provision of clean water, greater
agricultural production, cheap energy, clean
environment, better diagnostics, drugs and organs
replacements, greater information processing and
storage, and reduced labour. When that time comes, you
will be able to replace your car with an inexpensive
nanotech car. A nanotech car will look like a creation
of God or that has come from outer space.
With all the sweet promises that Nanotechnology has,
including the potential to have positive effects on the
environment, environmental and health risks will be the
biggest challenges. These nana particles have very great
surface area to volume ratio, and therefore toxic due to
their high chemical reactivity and biological activity
-- they can easily penetrate human skins and get entry
to organs and tissues such as the kidneys, brain,
spleen, heart, liver, and nervous system. And that
coupled with the fact that these nanomaterials has a
huge potential to cause DNA mutation, then, it is just a
matter of time before opposing groups find the right
opportunity to strike in saying no to the entire
nanotechnology. And to the shrewd businessman and woman,
you can only gamble in being ahead of everyone else in
nanotechnology opportunities that are promising heaven.
About the Author
The Author's website Nanotechnology
$1 Trillion Revenue is designed to advice the
readers on the next stop with nanotechnology
opportunities.
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