Nanotechnology Nanotechnology has been an anticipated technology due to it giving complete and inexpensive control of the structure of matter. The thought of this technology came from the mind of Richard Feynman, a physicist, in 1959. The way Feynman first described nanotechnology was, “a process by which the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules might be developed, using one set of precise tools to build and operate another proportionally smaller set (History and Future of Nanotechnology, 2009).” Manufacturing at the molecular scale will enable the construction of cell repair machines, computers smaller than a cubic micron, and even personal manufacturing. Molecular manufacturing or nanomanufacturing is where it all starts. Nanomanufacturing is the manufacturing of nano-scale materials, structures, devices, and systems. There are two approaches to nanomanufacturing, the top-down approach or the bottom-up approach. The top-down approach reduces large pieces of material down to the nanoscale. This approach uses more material and can lead to waste if excess material isn’t used. The second approach, the bottom-up approach, creates products by starting at the atomic or molecular level and building the products from the ground up. This process is very time consuming. With these two approaches there are new processes that enable nanomanufacturing which are (Manufacturing at the Nanoscale): 1. Chemical vapor deposition – a process where chemicals react to produce pure high-performance films. 2. Molecular beam epaxity – a method for depositing highly controlled thin films 3. Atomic layer epaxity – a method for depositing one atom thick layers on a surface 4. Dip pen lithography - a process where the tip of an atomic force microscope is "dipped" into a chemical fluid and then used to "write" on a surface. 5. Nanoimprint lithography – creates nanoscale features by “stamping” or “printing” them on a surface. 6. Roll to roll processing – a high volume process that creates nanoscale devices on ultrathin plastic or metal rolls. 7. Self-assembly- a process where a group of components come together in an ordered structure with no outside help.
With these processes, nanomaterials can be stronger, lighter, durable, and many more traits. Even though the peak of nanomanufacturing may be years away, it is already improving manufacturing today. According to Lori Dick, “Nanomanufacturing is no longer the next frontier. It’s in action today, and it is improving products and processes and saving manufacturers money along the way. (Dick, 2012)” In her article she states that nanomanufacturing is already improving the manufacturing industry in five ways. The five ways are: in Materials, Coatings, Energy Collection and Storage, Lighting, and Manufacturing Processes. Nanotechnology is creating exceptionally light, yet extremely tough, materials. In coatings nanocoatings are known to be a thermal barrier, flame retardant, ultraviolet resistance, self and easy cleaning, and among other things. Nanoparticles use light more efficiently which is improving the efficiency and cost of solar panels. For lighting, quantum dots are used which are nanoparticles of a semiconductor material with unique optical and electrical properties. And lastly self-assembly is a branch of nanotechnology in which objects, devices and systems form structures without external prodding. With what nanomanufacturing can do, the applications are endless. One of the applications that nanomanufacturing is being used in is in energy. Researchers have developed piezoelectric nanofibers that can be made into clothing. These fibers generate electricity from the motion of the clothing, which can power electrical devices. Energy consumption will be reduced due to newly developed lubricants with inorganic buckyballs, soccer ball shaped carbon molecules that reduce friction. Storing hydrogen for fuel cell cars will be easier with the graphene layers that increase the binding energy of hydrogen to the graphene surface. This could result in a higher amount of storage and a lighter fuel tank. Another major field that uses nanotechnology and will benefit from it greatly is in the field of medicine. Professor Johannes Heitz from the University of Linz, Austria said, “About 10 years ago, scientists discovered the important influence that nano-structures had on the way a line of cells would develop. It was the beginning of an entire new scientific field (Nanotech Medicine to Rebuild Damaged Parts of Human Body, 2011).” One way nanotechnology has impacted medicine is the ability to help grow cells back in or on person’s body. One way this is shown is the ability to help grown skin cells back on a burn victim. Usually the material used now will cause imperfection and make it inefficient. With nanotechnology it will be possible to grow the cells back with little to no imperfections. Many more applications that involve nanotechnology are used in medicine that could possibly cure cancer or even replace whole organs. Nanotechnology will also benefit the spaces programs. Currently there is ongoing research on carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes will make spaceships lighter and more stable (Nanotechnology in Space, 2007). The nanotubes will also enable the manufacturing of a space elevator. This elevator would allow easier transportation of materials people to the moon or beyond. Another application that nanotechnology would help would be interplanetary discoveries. Nanosensors could be sent out to search planets for water and other chemicals. Spacecraft would not have to rely only on fuel, they could use the “carbon nanotubes to build lightweight solar sails that use the pressure of light from the sun reflecting on the mirror-like solar cell to propel a spacecraft (Nanotechnology in Space, 2007).” With this newer technology coming to the surface, there will have to be guidelines and ethics in place. Without them no one would be able to stop the two most catastrophic threats to nanotechnology, accidents and misuse (Chen, 2002). Chen goes on to say that it could be used to erode our freedom and privacy. Some actions that could affect nanotechnology are: nanotechnology R&D could be banned, a non-government regulatory group could be setup, and adopt certain design guidelines. With the first option it will stop the harmful effects but it will also hinder today’s technological developments. The second action could “could unify R&D policies and procedures and force the research community to seriously consider the potential consequences of nanotechnology” according to Chen. The last action could minimize accidents by stopping potential harmful behavior. Also according to Chen,
The second and third options also seem to advance the most common good since the second option involves promoting ethics within the research community and the third option is a set of design principles to discourage unethical or accidental uses of nanotechnology. (Chen, 2002)
With the possible use of these two options, nanotechnology can be established using guidelines to assure that nanotechnology cannot become harmful in any way possible. Also it could assure that nanotechnology could be developed safely and also obtain the profits. Overall the benefits of nanotechnology could overcome the negative possibilities of it. Medicine would be able to prolong lives. Nanotechnology would let us explore into space and even colonize planets. It could make energy use more efficient and cost effective. With the proper guidelines and ethics all of this and many more possible uses of nanotechnology can be achieved.

Bibliography

Introduction to Nanotechnology. (2007). Retrieved April 11, 2012, from UnderstandingNano: http://www.understandingnano.com/introduction.html
Nanotechnology in Space. (2007). Retrieved April 12, 2012, from UnderstandingNano: http://www.understandingnano.com/space.html
History and Future of Nanotechnology. (2009). Retrieved April 11, 2012, from Nanotechnology Reasearch Foundation: http://www.nanotechnologyresearchfoundation.org/nanohistory.html
Nanotech Medicine to Rebuild Damaged Parts of Human Body. (2011, January 18). Retrieved April 12, 2012, from Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110118092140.htm
Chen, A. (2002, March). The Ethics of Nanotechnology. Retrieved April 14, 2012, from actionbioscience: http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/chen.html
Dick, L. (2012, January 17). Five Ways Nanomanufacturing Improves Manufacturing Today. Retrieved April 11, 2012, from PRWeb: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9112517.htm
Manufacturing at the Nanoscale. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2010, from Nano: http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/manufacturing