The technology of manipulating and processing atoms and molecules within this scale is called nanotechnology. Developing nanotechnology means producing surgical tools that can treat diseases at the molecular level, computers that are smaller than human cells, and ultra-efficient micro-machines with anti-pollution capabilities.
Scientists have already sketched out a blueprint for where we will be in a few years' time: new super-strong, lightweight materials that could make space travel cheap and easy, and even the use of nanotechnology to create an atmosphere on Mars, as some writers have predicted. If the new "nanomedicine" is able to create new cells, molecule by molecule, as they age, thus extending people's lifespans indefinitely, then it will be necessary to migrate to space. Nanotechnology has produced enough small wonders to convince at least some of the great minds of science that these grandiose ideas can be realized.
The nanometer is a unit of length, originally called a "millimicron," which is 10-9 (one billionth of a meter). Nanoscience and technology, sometimes referred to simply as nanotechnology, is the study of the properties and applications of materials with structural dimensions in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers.
In terms of specific substances, people tend to use "fine as hair" to describe the thin things, in fact, human hair is generally 20-50 microns in diameter, not fine. A single bacterium can not be seen with the naked eye, with a microscope to measure the diameter of 5 microns, is not fine. In extreme cases, 1 nanometer is roughly equivalent to the diameter of 4 atoms.
Nanotechnology encompasses the following four main aspects:
The first aspect is nanomaterials, including preparation and characterization. At the nanoscale, the exergy of electrons (quantum mechanics properties) and atomic interactions in matter will be affected by the size of the scale, and if nanoscale structures can be obtained, it may be possible to control the basic properties of the material such as melting point, magnetism, capacitance and even color. without changing the chemical composition of the material. Ceramics fired with ultramicro particles can be harder, but not cabin cracking: inorganic ultramicro particles of ash in the addition of rubber, will be stuck in the polymer molecules on the endpoints of the tires made will greatly reduce wear and prescription life.
The second aspect is nanodynamics, mainly micro-mechanics and micro-motors, or collectively known as micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), which are used in miniature sensors and actuators with transmission machinery, fiber-optic communication systems, specialty electronics, medical and diagnostic instrumentation, etc. MEMS uses a new process similar to the design and manufacture of integrated electrical appliances. Characterized by very small parts, the depth of the etch often requires tens to hundreds of microns with very small width errors. This process can also be used to make three-phase motors for ultra-fast centrifuges or gyroscopes, for example. In research there is also the corresponding detection of microdeformations and microfriction at the quasi-atomic scale, etc. Although they are not yet really into the nanoscale, but there is a great potential scientific value and economic value.
The third aspect is nanobiology and nanopharmacology, such as in the mica surface with nanoparticle degree of colloidal gold fixation of DNA particles, in the silicon dioxide surface of the fork-finger electrode to do the test of interactions between biomolecules, phospholipids and fatty acids, double-layer planar biofilm, the fine structure of DNA and so on. With nanotechnology, self-assembly methods can also be used to put parts or components inside cells to make up new materials. New drugs, even micron particles of fine powder, there are about half insoluble in water; but if the particles for the nanometer scale (i.e., ultra-micro particles), can be dissolved in water.
The fourth area is nanoelectronics, which includes nanoelectronic devices based on quantum effects, the optical/electrical properties of nanostructures, the characterization of nanoelectronic materials, and atomic manipulation and atomic assembly. Current trends in electronics require devices and systems to be smaller, faster, and cooler." Smaller" means faster response time. Cooler" means that the power consumption of individual devices should be small. But "smaller" is not without limits.
Nanotechnology is the final frontier for builders, and its impact will be enormous
In April 1998, the President's Advisor on Science and Technology, Dr. Neal Lane, commented that if someone asked me which area of science and engineering would have a breakthrough impact on the future, I would say that the Initiative would establish an agency called Nanotechnology. Grand Challenges" to fund interdisciplinary research and education teams, including centers and networks for long-term goals. Some of the potential breakthroughs that could be realized include: compressing the entire Library of Congress into a piece of equipment the size of a sugar cube, which could be accomplished by increasing the storage capacity per surface by a factor of 1,000 and expanding the storage capacity of large storage electronics to the level of a few terabytes.
Manufacturing materials and products from a small-to-large approach, i.e., making them from an atom, from a molecule. This approach will save raw materials and reduce pollution.
Producing materials that are 10 times stronger than steel and a fraction of its weight to make a wide range of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles for land, water, and air.
Increasing the speed and efficiency of computers millions of times over with tiny transistors and memory chips, making today's Pentium III processors already slow.
Using genes and drugs to deliver nanoscale MRI contrasts to find cancer cells or locate human tissues
Removing the tiniest pollutants in water and air for a cleaner environment and drinkable water.
Increases the energy efficiency of solar cells by a factor of two.