physicist richard feynman

November 29, 2009

QA 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.

Who first discovered nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology was first theorized more so than discovered. The first concepts that set the groundwork came from physicist Richard Feynman during a speech in December of 1959. Feynman conceptualized the processes that became the fundamentals on nanotech. The actual term was coined by Japanese professor Norio Taniguchi while teaching at the Tokyo Science University in 1974. Doctor K. Eric Drexler independently chose the same term when he published manuscripts on the topic in 1986.

What benefits are there for using nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology offers substantial benefits, once we fully understand how to take advantage of them. Researchers have already found that common laws of physics no longer apply to items at the nanoscale. Phenomenon such as insulating materials becoming conductors and melting points changing are but a few of the novel properties researchers have already found. As new compounds are investigated, more properties and uses become cataloged. Carbon nanoparticles, such as spheres and tubes, have already been developed and manufactured, presenting an infusion of this new technology into the global marketplace.

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.

How is nanotechnology used in the computer science field?

The computer science field is one of the first industries to utilize nanotechnology in consumer marketable products. Microchips, at the heart of the industry, continue to get smaller and more powerful. Recent developments allow circuitry to be developed utilizing components in the 45 - 60 nanometer range. These advances have led to faster processors, lower energy consumption, and greater storage capacities, and reduced package size. Many of the portable electronic devices in use today, Ipods, cell phones, PDAs to name a few, are dependent upon these miniaturized components.

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