May Ann M.

Montero GEC108-14N (7:30-9:00)

Nanotechnology: Is it possible? If it is, how it will affect the society? Dangerous

or benign?

References:

ScienceDaily (2019) Nanotechnology Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/nanotechnology.htm

 The control of matter on the molecular level in scales smaller than 1 micrometre,
normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices within that size
range.
 It can be seen as an extension of existing sciences into the nanoscale.

 Two main approaches are used in nanotechnology: "bottom-up" approach and

the "top-down" approach.

 Seeking methods to assemble these single molecules into supramolecular.

 Assemblies consisting of many molecules arranged in a well-defined manner.

Bonsor, K., Strickland J. (2019) How Nanotechnology Works Retrieved from

https://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm

 As small as a nanometer is, it's still large compared to the atomic scale.
 Some doctors worry that the nanoparticles are so small, that they could easily
cross the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the brain from harmful
chemicals in the bloodstream.
 You can't walk up to a wall and immediately teleport to the other side of it, but at
the nanoscale an electron can , it’s called electron tunneling
 create more powerful weapons, both lethal and non-lethal.
 In theory, medical nanotechnology could make us smarter, stronger and give us
other abilities ranging from rapid healing to night vision.
  Could we continue to call ourselves human, or would we become transhuman --
the next step on man's evolutionary path?
 Scientists find two nano-size structures of particular
interest: nanowires and carbon nanotubes.
 Many products on the market are already benefiting from nanotechnology such
as sunscreen, clothes, self-cleaning glass, scratch-resistant coating,
Antimicrobial bandages.
 Molecular manufacturing, and if it ever does become a reality, it could drastically
change the world.
 Trillions of assemblers and replicators could fill an area smaller than a cubic
millimeter, and could still be too small for us to see with the naked eye.
 We could be able to replicate anything, including diamonds, water and food.
 Famine could be eradicated by machines that fabricate foods to feed the hungry.
 Patients will drink fluids containing nanorobots programmed to attack and
reconstruct the molecular structure of cancer cells and viruses.
 Slow or reverse the aging process, and life expectancy could increase
significantly.
 Nanorobots could also be programmed to perform delicate surgeries such
as nanosurgeons.
 Scientists could program airborne nanorobots to rebuild the thinning ozone layer.
 Nanorobots could remove contaminants from water sources and clean up oil
spills.
 Creates less pollution than conventional manufacturing processes.
 Cutting down trees, mining coal or drilling for oil may no longer be necessary --
nanomachines could produce those resources.

Dr. S. S. Verma (2018, May 23) Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanotechnology

Retrieved from http://www.scind.org/1175/Technology/nanotechnology:--
advantages-&-disadvantages.html

 Advantages: field of electronics is set to be revolutionized by nanotechnology.

  Nanotechnology can also benefit the energy sector.
 Nanotechnology lets us make almost every manufactured product faster, lighter,
stronger, smarter, safer and cleaner, and even more precise.
 Also seen as a boon in medical world since these can help with creating what is
called smart drugs.
 It may even become possible to heal genetic conditions by fixing the damaged
genes.
 Process of molecular recognition.
 Disadvantages: lack of employment in the fields of traditional farming and
manufacturing and industrial sector.
 Nanotechnology raises the possibility of microscopic recording devices, which
would be virtually undetectable.
 The potential for mass poisoning over a period of time that will cause eventual
health problems.
 Lack of our own knowledge about nanotechnology makes it pretty difficult to
manufacture.
 Nanotechnology is very expensive.

Hawk's Perch, LLC (2019) Nanotechnology Applications Retrieved from

https://www.understandingnano.com/nanotech-applications.html

 Developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver

drugs directly to diseased cells in your body.
 How we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce
their weight and power consumption
 Developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food,
but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers.
 Used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells to produce hydrogen ions
from fuel.
  Developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at significantly lower
cost than conventional solar cells.
 Battery will be a good as new after sitting on the shelf for decades.
 Makes lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible.
 Can address the shortage of fossil fuels
 Can improve the performance of catalysts used to transform vapors escaping
from cars or industrial plants into harmless gasses.
 Used to develop solutions to three very different problems in water quality.
 Can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors.
 In the sports arena includes increasing the strength of tennis racquets, filling any
imperfections in club shaft materials and reducing the rate at which air leaks from
tennis balls.
 Allows improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight,
thickness, or stiffness as might have been the case with previously-
used techniques.

Lombardo, C. (2017, April 27) Pros and Cons of Nanotechnology Retrieved from
http://visionlaunch.com/pros-and-cons-of-nanotechnology/

 Pros: It makes anything possible.

 It would increase productivity.
 It could extend life.
 Cons: They are only as good as they are programmed to be.
 It may not be an effective technology.
 There could be unintended health consequences.