Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at a very small scale which is called nanoscale. This type of science involves all different aspects like measuring, imaging, modeling and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale length. A Nano is so small that it is one billionth of a meter. In one inch there are 25,400,000 nanometers. The thickness of a sheet of paper is around 100,000 nanometers thick. As you can see, these are very tiny. This became popular in the 1980s by a man name K.Eric Drexler; that wanted to build machines from the nanometer. The Feynman theory was not to change the laws of physics but to enhance the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom. Some new research in nanotechnology are developing nano-structures that will be able to tell the diseased cells from the healthy ones and then deliver the needed drugs directly to the cancerous tumors with no harm the healthy cells or to any other organs. Solar panels are another, because when using nanotechnology they are far more efficient than using standard designs that are now being use to convert sunlight to electricity. In return, solar power panels would be much more affordable. Researchers have also discovered that really small specks of rust can help remove arsenic from our drinking water. Imagine a fabric that is woven from tiny wires and that will absorb 20 times its weight in oil. A nano-fabric is being research and may be available for use in the near future.
These are so many things that are currently being researched by scientist today in hopes to make a better future using nanotechnology; also this type a science has the ability to make high quality products cheaper and quicker.

Ramifications

Since this is a new technology, safety of this new science is always being tested. Due to the very small size, high reactivity, the unique tensile and also the magnetic properties of nano-materials health and safety along with environmental concerns have been raised. Concerns that certain types of nano-materials can cause tissue damage. Nano-materials need to have strict regulations to show all nano-materials on labels. Right now the federal agencies are responsible for making sure that no harmful nano-materials are in any product that is consumed by the public. These types of materials, since they are very tiny, act completely different than the same ingredients in a much larger form. For example, graphite being classified as having higher levels of toxicity while in the nano form of the level of toxicity goes down. There are nano-elements called fullerenes which were once considered to be harmless. They are any molecule that is composed completely of carbon and in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid or tube. However, a study in 2001 shows ramifications of the opposite. When a fish was given a dose of fullerene for 48 hours, it was found that the fish had severe brain damage.
With any new technology comes risk and nanotechnology is no different. Though for the most part nanotechnology is clearly not as harmful to our society as other aspects in our lives.