Learning More About Nanotechnology
Science is an amazing and wonderful thing. It has helped people in more ways than they even realize. If it were not for great scientific advances the healthcare industry, automobile industry and the computer industry would not be where it is today. So what does the future hold for people where science is concerned? Nanotechnology is one of the most pioneering fields today. Within its confines there are worlds of applications that it can be used. You may have thought that it was delegated only to the minds of Science Fiction writers but it is real and it is in use today. This article is designed to help you understand the applications that nanotech has in today’s society. You may be surprised to learn that there is more to it than you might have previously thought.
Why is nanotechnology important?
Everything in our world, from the natural to the manufactured, is composed of atoms and molecules. Nanotechnology research and development offers insights not only to how atoms from together to create substances, but how they can be rearranged to improve upon them. Look at the carbon atom for example. Arranged in one pattern it produces diamond: rare, incredibly hard, transparent and non-conductive. Re-arrange the same carbon atoms differently and you have graphite, a plentiful substance that is soft, opaque, and conductive. Customized molecules are being considered for numerous applications.
How is nanotechnology developed?
Two of the aspects for nanotechnology construction are top down and bottom up approaches. The top down approach focuses of creating nano scale items from a larger piece of material, by means of carving or etching the desired item. A good example is the semiconductor industry’s manipulation of silicon to develop microchips. The bottom up technique relies upon the utilization of chemical and molecular bonds, allowing the product to assemble in an appropriate manner. Both techniques depend upon the scanning electron microscope and the atomic force microscope, which permit visualization and verification of the completed assembly.
How is nanotechnology used in the medical field?
Medical nanotechnology has been come one of the most active fields in research and development. Scientists have already developed several methods to improve patient care, with numerous others just over the horizon. Drug delivery systems that will target only the cells that require the medication will reduce costs while using less medicine. Imaging enhancements will provide more accurate ultrasound and MRI images allowing doctors to identify and treat problems locally. Of particular focus is the promise of improved cancer treatments. Laboratory tests have already been conducted utilizing gold coated nanotubes to destroy cancer cells with harmless infrared radiation.
What regulations are in place for the use of nanotechnology?
At this time, there are very few regulatory agencies in place that oversee the use of nanotechnology. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has a limited authority, considering products after their initial development. Provisions allotted to the Environmental Protection Agency from the Toxic Substances Control Act have laid the groundwork for regulation, but still require refinement to adequately deal with these new substances. Of concern, current toxic substances are rated by mass, usually in kilograms. If nano particles are found to be toxic, they will need to be classified by a newer, more definitive category.
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