What is nano technology?

Technology has made a number of things possible, and it continues to improve every day. Each day, it seems, new discoveries and advancements occur as the result of technological advances.

What is nano technology?
One of these advances people are sure to hear more about is nano technology. This form of technology works to engineer systems at the molecular scale. Because this scale is so minute (to give you an idea, a nano meter is one billionth of a meter; a human hair is about 25,000 nanometers wide.) special systems and techniques must be used in order to manipulate the nanometers.

Ultimately, the goal of nano technology is to be able to control matter at the nanometer scale. This will be done through a process called mechanochemistry. Mechanochemistry works by attaching to a molecule, then manipulating it until a chemical reaction occurs at a specific location. Scientists use a mechanical manipulator to attach to the atoms and then move them to the surface. Mechanochemistry is very advanced and can use computers to control the molecules.

Nano technology works in via a number of approached. One approach is to build things up from the bottom up, using these special techniques and tools. This approach works to take smaller particles into much more complex items. The building takes place inside a personal nano factory, which is an appliance in the works that has been proposed by scientists. These nano factories are made by fabricators, which works at the nano level to form molecules into shapes that can be used.

These personal nano factories will produce products from nano blocks, made within the small nano factory. Then, computer-aided design programs will be used to create sophisticated products by creating a pattern made from the nano blocks within the factory.

Another approach of nano technology is the top down approach, basically the opposite of the bottom up approach discussed above. This approach works to create smaller devices from bigger ones. Special microscopic materials are used to manipulate the atoms in this approach.

Functional approaches are another type of nano technology. This approach works to create certain products and components using whatever means necessary.

What can nano technology produce?
Nano technology is nowhere near completion, but once the ability to control matter on the level of nanometers, there are many complications and ramifications that will result. Many believe that nano-created machinery will result in a revolution of sorts within the manufacturing industry. In addition, it could greatly affect the economy, military warcraft, and environmental issues.

Some of the things nano technology could eventually result in include:
 Medical robots that can save lives without the assistance of a doctor
 Untraceable Weapons of Mass Destruction.
 Networked computers designed to network everyone in the world
 Networked cameras

As you can see, the potential for harm as well as good is great with nano technology. Untraceable weapons of mass destruction could be devastation during warfare, and networked cameras could cause a serious invasion of privacy. These are all things being considered as scientists work to improve and create nano technology.

Nano technology is an exciting form of technology that has the potential to produce products that can greatly enhance life. Nano technology is a very complicated process that is difficult to understand and explain, but scientists are working hard to bring it to fruition.

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Tags: nano technology molecular engineering nanofactory molecules mechanochemistry