Nano Technology
Wow, who could imagine manipulating and studying the most basic particles of life could be accomplished? That scientists could build microscopes and other investigative tools so highly sophisticated, so powerful that they might examine the minuscule particles of theory. Nano, meaning dwarf in Latin; a nanometre represents one billionth of a metre.No wonder angels are able to dance on the head of a pin: the head of a pin is a million nanometres wide. How's that for nano-perspective?
Here's the fascinating thing about nano-technology. The observation that when one is dealing with such infinitesimally tiny particles, ordinary materials which are comprised of these particles can assume different properties. "What makes nanotechnology so exciting is that as you reduce the size of a piece of material, something interesting happens," according to John Preston at McMaster University.
An example: gold which is gold regardless of the form and shape it is melded into. Until it's taken down to the nanometre range and properties begin to alter; colours change, the magnetic and electronic properties change. A gram of gold will melt at a much higher temperature than 100 nanometres of gold. Which is why scientists are looking to exploit the potential arsenal of new properties to engineer materials to applications never before dreamed of.
Imagine: computer memories powered by carbon molecules rather than silicone chips. Imagine: nanoparticles that can travel the bloodstream, delivering a lethal drug dose to specific cancer cells, not imperilling the rest of the body. Imagine: highly efficient solar cells that may one day transform the heat of the sun to society's main energy source.
The Scanning Tunnelling Microscope makes this enterprising determination at successful experimental with nanoparticles possible.
Yet there remains just as much mystery behind what nature has wrought as ever there was. Even if atoms can be manipulated toward an intended purpose there is no guarantee it will perform as anticipated. The potential for new engineering to produce materials that are stronger, lighter, more purpose-driven is there, but only if science can begin to understand the attributes and possibilities that nature has endowed her nanoparticles with.
University of Toronto chemist Ted Sargent points out that the goal of nanoscience is not remove or replace the laws of nature, but to work within them "to coax matter to assemble into new forms". He says while scientists have become adept at understanding the structure of things, they don't comprehend how a molecule's particular shape, or its chemical bonds give rise to its function.
"Today we can marvel at nature's glorious creations," he writes, "but when it comes to designing our own using nature's Lego blocks, we are all thumbs." That may well be, but without thumbs - opposing thumbs - we would be able to manipulate nothing. Nature has endowed us with those thumbs, as well as with powerful brains to tease out her shy little secrets.
All things come to those who seek.
Labels: Technology
posted by Pieface @ Monday, March 26, 2007
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