Modern technology has allowed us to study matter and the world around us to the largest and smallest levels. In particular, advances in nanotechnology give us the opportunity to manipulate matter on an atomic scale. In recent years nanotechnology has become a key investment for governments as its range of potential applications continues to grow on an almost weekly basis. The future of nanotechnology could help us create new materials and devices that will benefit all aspects of human life and through schemes such as the National Nanotechnology Initiative in the USA, countries across the world have invested billions into the cause.
Nanotechnology is developing all the time and the latest and greatest uses for nanoparticles is developing into a rapidly growing list - one that will only increase with time, research and money...
- Advanced materials. Nanotechnology has been used to manipulate and create a number of advanced materials but one of the hot topics of 2013 is graphene. Described by some as a ‘miracle material’, the individual layers of graphite are just one atom thick and are also one of the strongest and most conductive materials ever measured. Using this nanomaterial, electronics could be charged in seconds and waste products, such as batteries, could in time become more biodegradable.
- Electronics and Microsystems. The world of electronics and microsystems still rely heavily on the transistor, but this could change in the future. Transistor devices are now becoming so small that the next step down will likely induce quantum mechanical properties and sub-atomic interactions. Here, research into "quantum tunnelling" is showing some promise, so the next generation of electronic devices could well require much less energy to run. Nanomaterials are also becoming much more widespread in research for memory storage, quantum computers, radios and novel optometric devices, as well as being used to create the first true quantum computers.
- Medical and Biotech. One of the biggest advances in nanotechnology for the medical and biotech world is the substantial research into gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles have unique, optical, electronic and molecular-recognition properties that make them ideal for medical research. Amongst many other applications, they have been used in experimental medicine for Alzheimer’s disease, tumor detection and drug carrying. Gold nanoparticles could actually change some major aspects of the medical industry in time.
- Energy and Environment. With environmental concerns becoming a large part of any new scientific technology, there is a lot of research going into how nanotechnology can be used to help the environment. Currently nanotechnology is contributing towards a number of new environmental projects. Using silver nanoclusters as catalysts has enabled scientists to reduce the amount of pollution generated when making materials. Carbon nanotubes have also been used to increase the energy produced by windmills and nanostructured membranes are being developed to capture carbon dioxide in power plant exhausts.
As you can see, 2013 holds a bright future for nanoparticles and they could yet help us for future research into biomaterials, energy production, medicine and electronics. However, like many new aspects of technology, there are concerns about its true impact on the environment. In particular its potential toxicity has lead to many to question whether nanomaterials need to be regulated. Finding a way to balance the incredible solutions nanotechnology can provide with the impact it has on the environment will be highly important for future research and discovery.
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