Emerging technologies- Nanotechnology - Research Paper Example

At the same time, technology was coming up with the ability to create simple structures at a molecular level. As the concept of nanotechnology became more acceptable, the word’s meaning shifted to include the much simpler nano-meter scale kinds of technology. Richard Feynman envisioned the theoretical capability of nanotechnology in the 1950s, when he talked about building billions of tiny factories that manufactured simultaneously by maneuvering objects atom by atom. Based on this vision, advanced nanotechnology aims to use mechanochemistry via guidance using molecular systems of machines.

Shortly after molecular machinery as envisioned comes into play, it is expected that a manufacturing revolution will ensue. What need does nanotechnology address? The quality of all man-made products is dependent on the atomic arrangement of the product’s components. The cost of these products is also dependent on the process used to produce them, and ease of getting molecules and atoms to link up as we want them (Wilson, 2010). The energy used to create products, and the pollution it emits is also dependent upon the methods used to place, as well as connects the molecules to give out the desired product.

Nanotechnology’s goal is to improve the amount of control, over the building process of products, to ensure they are of high quality and do not cause destructive environmental impact. Nanotechnology is one of the world’s hope for the solution to dirty and crude technologies that harm the earth’s biosphere. This technology has been identified as vital in addressing renewable and clean energy, global clean water supply and health improvement, preserving and healing the environment, availing information to all, and enabling the development of space.

How does it improve upon existing designs? Nanotechnology can be used to improve on existing designs by allowing for the increased control over matter’s structure, which has been a primary project for mankind since early man. Nanotechnology, in today’s world, is helping to improve many industrial and technological sectors such as transportation, food safety, security, medicine, environmental science, energy and information technology. Most of its benefits are dependent on the ability to tailor essential material structures at the nano-scale in order to achieve particular properties (Einsiedel, 2009).

This extends material science’s well-used tools and techniques, via which nanotechnology can be used to make materials better. This could be making materials better conductors of electricity, more sieve-like, more reactive, more durable, lighter or stronger. Already in existence are over eight hundred everyday products sold commercially that are reliant on nanotechnology and its integrated processes. Nano-scale polymer additives can simultaneously make them resilient, durable, stiff and lightweight such as in baseball bats.

Nano-scale additives in or on fabrics can make them wrinkle, stain, and bacterial growth resistant, as well as providing ballistic energy deflections on body armor (Einsiedel, 2009). What technologies does it build upon and/or rely on? Nanotechnology is built upon quantum science and its technology. The quantum size effect describes electron property physics in solids undergoing a great reduction in the size of its particles. This effect comes into play when the nanometer range of size is reached affecting the magnetic, electrical and optical behavior of these materials