Nanotechnology Technology of the Future
Major Aspects of Nanotechnology What is it? How did it come about? What are the social implications? What does this mean for the future?
Definitions Nanotechnology - Deals with moleculues between one and one hundred nanometers in diameter. Manipulating individual atoms and manufacturing from the bottom up. Nano means one billionth.
Major Aspects of Nanotechnology What is it? How did it come about? What are the social implications? What does this mean for the future?
History of Nanotechnology E = mc 2 Atomic bomb Biotechnology/Genetic Engineering Quantum Physics Nanophase materials
Nanotechnology Past and Present (A) a hand holding a computer chip. (B) computer chip (C) living cell placed on the chip (D) two nanocomputers beside the cell. (E) shows an irregular protein from the cell on the lower right, and a cylindrical gear made by molecular manufacturing at top left. (F) shows two atoms in the protein, (G) reveals the nucleus of the atom as a tiny speck. Below: 35 xenon atoms spell out a familiar logo
A demonstration on the molecular level A nano-motor manipulated by two laser beams
Major Aspects of Nanotechnology What is it? How did it come about? What are the social implications? What does this mean for the future?
Positive Effects on Society Above: Nanomachines could allow for cleaner energy production Right: Nanomachines in the blood stream patrolling for viruses
Positive Effects on Society (Medical Applications) Nanomachines could travel through the bloodstream
Negative Effects on Society
Major Aspects of Nanotechnology What is it? How did it come about? What are the social implications? What does this mean for the future?
The Future with Nanotechnology Left: A nano-gear Right: A nano-universal-joint
The Future with Nanotechnology Above: A nano-bearing Right: A “nano-factory”
If it falls into the wrong hands Genocide and ethnic cleansing (pictures from Kosovo)
Some Final Thoughts Still a young science, but could take off at any time Presents wonderful opportunities Presents terrible opportunities
References Calvin - Scale drawing - IBM Atoms - Courtesy of IBM Research Division Nanofactory - Graphite/Diamond - Environment - Patrollers - Mike's Fav. Pic - Nanogear - Mystery - Blood video - Blood still - Nanomotor video/still - Garbled molecules - IBM Radio - Bearing - Debate - Yugoslavia - Kosovo -