Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Nanoscience is described as the study of how matter can be altered on both an atomic and molecular level. Technological advancements in recent times have revolutionized the field of science and more so medicine. This is because new technology makes it possible for miniaturization of matter on a nanoscale. In addition, these new advancements could be termed as aids in enhancing collection of qualitative data. This new technology is still in infancy stages of advancements and is considered as technology of the future. In essence, this field is diverse because it contains various aspects of study such as Surface science studies, organic chemistry, molecular biology, microfabrictaion and semiconductor physic studies (Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2008).

Scientists believe that this field of science and technology will in the future enable production of new material and other devices in various fields such as medicine, electronics and biomaterial. Expansion of the nanoscience field will enable fundamental advancements in science. This will enable transformation in the manufacturing of materials, devices and systems and understanding of the same. The use of nanotechnology has enabled alteration of abilities of the various molecular abilities of matter. Nanotechnology has enabled manipulation of data at a nanoscale for use in healthcare, modern industries, and sustainability of the environment.

This field of science has enabled better understanding of nature facilitating research to aid changes in the field of manufacturing, electronics, healthcare improvements, pharmaceuticals production, chemical plants and transportation. Its application within manufacturing is as an efficient means of measurement. In addition, nanoscience will eventually aid in the development of higher quality and better products with the profound qualities as this field enables alteration of material properties used in manufacturing. In addition, within the field of electronics production, nanoscience is essential in that it facilitates production of higher quality and sophisticated semi-conductors and the production of integrated circuits. Nanotechnology’s use in healthcare will be to enable better quality of life, improved human capabilities and prolonged life. Furthermore, this field is vital in that its use is also within the pharmaceuticals development. Chemical plants will also be using this new technology for the development of new chemicals with improved properties. Such is evidenced in petroleum industries whereby nano-structured catalysts are used in the production of the various petroleum products. In the transportation industry, development of nanomaterials and nano-electrical products will result in the development of safer, faster and effective means of transportation in areas such as airplane, vehicle, train and sea vessel manufacturing.

Sustainability will be a result of this new technology in many aspects. In agriculture, this field is essential in that it will enable higher yields, drought resistant and disease resistant crops. This is due to the development of better crop varieties for mass production leading to ease in food prices and access for the same. In addition, clean water and access of the same will be enhanced by this new technology because of new water filtration systems, desalination systems resulting in production of higher quality of purified water. In addition, development of technological products with the use of nanoscience will enable development of new material for enhancing development of renewable sources of energy with reference to the development of solar technologies. In addition, lighting for industrial, office, street and domestic purposes will be of higher quality attributable to the nanotechnologies for the development of higher quality lighting products (Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2008).

New advancements in technology could be attributed to the integration of technical and societal factors. The development of advanced nano-technologies will be because of the acceptance and need by the society to use such technologies for improved living and enhance sustainability for the overall survival of the human race. The benefits of the use of this new technology are diverse and spread from technological, economical and societal benefits. In essence, such advancements in nanotechnologies will not automatically transform the society in a direct way, but the effects form the use of these technologies will set the stage for actual and direct transformation of the society and conduct of daily activities.

Innovations in technologies have a distinct method of growth. The initial successes and eventual growth in technologies lead to subsequent development of superior technologies setting a trend of innovation and better technologies than the predecessors. This is aided by the presence of other developers of identical products instilling a sense of competition within the market. Nanotechnologies are not, however, without controversies. For instance in the development of electronic equipment and artificially intelligent systems, such are considered to be privacy invasive in equipment such as mobile phones, cameras among others. Concerns are also evident from the presence of undetectable nano-particles, which could cause harm if released into the environment.

Such nanopartciles could be harmful when ingested or breathed by animals, human and plants. Thus, it is paramount to establish means of determination of the amount of nanoparticles as well as the level of toxicity of the same. Furthermore, it is also essential to establish the relationship in terms of the structure and function of these nanopartciles their size and relativity toxicity. Use of such in water filtration systems could pose a risk to all living organisms because of the altering effect of nanoparticles. This could lead to issues such as genetic mutation and development of unknown and incurable ailments. It is also paramount to conduct full risk assessment programs of nano-materials, which could also pose significant or even mild health risks to people during their manufacture and eventual use. (Schwarz, et al, 2004).

Nano technologies could result in disruption of economies from an abundance of cheap products due to the efficiency and effectiveness of these technologies in the production of superior but cheap products, in comparison to their predecessors. Such happens when new technologies, better in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in execution of tasks, replace existent products or technologies leading to an utter disruption of the economy. These technologies will disrupt economies because of their application in all aspects and commodities sued by man. Hence, they will eventually touch each business in the world. Economic pressures from artificially inflated prices could result from the use of nano-products. This is because of the high quality of products made with the use of nanotechnologies. Hence, this could result to inflation due to the consideration of such products as superior in quality and efficiency in use (Schwarz, et al, 2004).

Personal risk from criminal or terrorist use is also another disadvantage, which could easily arise from the presence and easy availability of nanotechnology products. Advancements in technological products made by nanotechnology could lead to the sophistication of crime and terrorist activities. In addition, such would also lead to the development of sophisticated chemical and biological weapons, which might fall into the wrong hands of criminals, as well as terror gangs. Individual or social risk from invasive restrictions in response to security issues and market volatility would also become an issue in the society. This would be actualized by the use of invasive technologies such as surveillance of individuals with the use of nanotechnology products.

The products developed form the use of nanotechnologies would result in societal disruptions. In the medical fraternity, medical procedures would be enhanced by the use of complex programs and equipment with the ability to alter people’s behavior and eventually their lifestyles. In addition, this technology would lead to the eventual development of deadly weapons, which could be used against other countries leading to the loss of life and eventual disruption of societies. In essence, new technologies could lead to new ways of doing things. Such would lead to disruption of cultural norms and corruption of morals.

In addition, with the presence of new nanotechnology products, there will be an eventual arms race between the various major powers around the world, all of which is aimed at proving superiority. Hence, there would be an eventual cloud of uncertainty in the world due to the high numbers of arms all of which are diverse. In additional slight misunderstandings between countries could present such countries with opportunities of using their weapons or using such as platforms for testing the effectiveness of the nanotechnology made products (Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2008).

In addition, molecular developments could lead to increased production in factories, which would eventually release harmful toxins into the environment. Given the uncertainty in terms of the toxicity of the nanoparticles, this could result in release of harmful chemicals with the potency of decimating vats populations as well as destroying the environment and surroundings. In addition, such would accelerate the already fast-paced rate of global warming and damage to the environment.

Furthermore, this new technology has potency result in free-range self-replicators also known as “Grey Goo” (Schwarz, et al, 2004)… This would reduce the biosphere to mere copies of the real biosphere. In essence, it would result in unnatural elements, which might eventually erode the originality of the natural environment, and its elements. The Grey Goo is described to have five capabilities. Such include, mobility whereby the grey goo would be able to move through and about in the environment. The second capability of the grey goo would be to “shell” whereby it would be able to prevent entry of diverse chemicals and ultraviolet light. In addition, the third ability would be to control the sets of blueprints and computers. The fourth presupposed ability would be breakdown chemicals into their simplest forms. The last and fifth ability would be to turn feedstock into nanosystems (Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2008).

Increased competition would result in a nano market which is uncontrollable given the entry of new producers all seeking a piece of the new lucrative market. Such would result in fierce competition, which would eventually turn out as unprofitable and unhealthy for any given economy. Furthermore, markets would be proliferated by the presence of counterfeit and harmful nanoproducts. In addition, due to the presence of a “black market” for nano products, little or no regulation would be in existence leading to the production of substandard and harmful products. On the other hand, competition in development of nanoproducts is essential for the formation of healthy nano market provided the presence of adequate oversight for regulation of the market (Binns, 2010).

In conclusion, this is new technology with adequate oversight from governments could prove as a means for retribution of humankind. This is essential for the development of a healthy nanotechnology product market to prevent the proliferation of such a market by immoral conduct and the mere drive and greed for money. Sustainable agriculture could be made possible by this new technology with an aim of developing food security for the masses. In addition, technology advancements are paramount for the development of better technologies, which could enable easy execution of complex tasks.

References

Binns, C. (2010). Introduction to nanoscience and nanotechnology. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. (2008). Dangers of Molecular Manufacturing. Retrieved from http://www.crnano.org/dangers.htm#Black on 16 July 2012.

Schwarz, James A., Cristian I. Contescu, & Karol Putyera. (2004). Dekker encyclopedia of nanoscience and nanotechnology. New York: M. Dekker.