Common Uses of Nanotechnology

      the next big thing...

                                                                                             is really small 

 

Nanotechnology in Medicine

Nanotechnology medical developments over the coming years will have a wide variety of uses and could potentially save a great number of lives. Nanotechnology is already moving from being used in passive structures to active structures, through more targeted drug therapies or “smart drugs”. These new drug therapies have already been shown to cause fewer side effects and be more effective than traditional therapies. In the future, nanotechnology will also aid in the formation of molecular systems that may be strikingly similar to living systems. These molecular structures could be the basis for the regeneration or replacement of body parts that are currently lost to infection, accident, or disease. These predictions for the future have great significance not only in encouraging nanotechnology research and development but also in determining a means of oversight. Citation 11 

Nanotechnology in Food

 

Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are 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. A current nanotechnology application is clay nanocomposite, which is being used to provide an impermeable barrier to gasses such as oxygen or carbon dioxide in lightweight bottles, cartons, and packaging films. Research is also being conducted to develop nanocapsules containing nutrients that would be released when nanosensors detect a vitamin deficiency in your body. Basically this research could result in a super vitamin storage system in your body that delivers the nutrients you need, when you need them. Citation 12

Nanotechnology in Cosmetics

Today nanotechnology is being used in computer science,  medicine and cosmetic manufacturing. Research in the medical field has shown where nanotechnology can help with the healing and repair of skin tissue. In the cosmetic arena it is believed that the smaller particles are more readily absorbed into the skin and as such repair damage easier and more efficiently. It is believed that as new products are developed,  nanotechnology may be used to prevent graying hair and combat hair loss in some cases. Nanotechnology is elevating the development of skin care products and cosmetics to another level, making them high-tech so as to deliver increased benefits to users. In addition to improving the efficacy of cosmetics and skin care products, nanotechnology is making it possible for other ingredients to be used in the manufacturing of beauty products. Citation 13

Nanotechnology in Electronics

 

Nanoelectronics hold some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption. Some of the nanoelectronics areas under development include the following topics of  improving display screens on electronics devices. This involves reducing power consumption while decreasing the weight and thickness of the screens,  and increasing the density of memory chips. Researchers are developing a type of memory chip with a projected density of one terabyte of memory per square inch or greater, and reducing the size of transistors used in integrated circuits. One researcher believes it may be possible to "put the power of all of today's present computers in the palm of your hand". Citation 14

Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Thanks to nanotechnology, tomorrow’s food will be designed by shaping molecules and atoms. Food will be wrapped in “smart” safety packaging that can detect spoilage or harmful contaminants. Future products will enhance and adjust their color, flavor, or nutrient content to accommodate each consumer’s taste or health needs. In agriculture, nanotechnology promises to reduce pesticide use, improve plant and animal breeding, and create new nano-bioindustrial products. Today’s nanotech food products include a new variety of canola oil containing tiny materials that can block cholesterol from entering the bloodstream, and a chocolate milkshake that supposedly tastes better and is more nutritious than conventional shakes—thanks to the unusual properties of a new ingredient that is 100,000 smaller than a grain of sand.  Citation 15

Nanotechnology in Biophotonics

 

Photonics is the technology of generating, transmitting, and manipulating light. Because light travels much faster than does an electric field in a wire, with less signal loss and faster achievable switching frequencies, it is ideal for transmitting a lot of information over long distances, as with telephone calls or Internet signals. In recent years, photonics has been exploited for medical and biological purposes, opening up the new field of biophotonics. Photonics is now being combined with nanotechnology--the engineering of materials on the atomic scale--resulting in the development of microscopic photonic devices. Even though photonics-driven communications technology has the potential to make the world a smaller place, science and technology are also making photonics devices smaller by joining forces with nanotechnology. Microphotonic and nanophotonic research is important in industries where miniaturization is a critical concern. Citation 16

 
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