Origin of Nanotechnology
There are a lot of conflicting theories about the origin of nanotechnology and who exactly was responsible for inventing it. Obviously, like any other area of science there was that person who came along the concept in his research or practices and introduced it to the world then there were consequent developments by many other contributors. But when scrutinizing and detailing the facts about nanotechnology it becomes clear that actually there was specifically no one who was
When analyzing the facts about nanotechnology, it will become apparent that not one person was accountable for this revolutionary invention. The only sure thing about its origin is that there was a mention of the concept by physicist Richard Feynman in December 1959 in his talk at an American Physical Society gathering.
In his talk, Feynman explained the possibility of the creation of a process to control individual nanoparticles by employing one set of apparatus to control another relatively sizeable set. His explanations would later contribute immensely to the actual definition that Professor Norio Taniguchi from the by Tokyo Science University would give one and a half decades later in 1974.
The whole nanotechonology concept was later taken up by Dr. K. Eric Drexler who through many speeches and lectures popularized the concept
The whole nanotechonology concept was later taken up by Dr. K. Eric Drexler who through many speeches and lectures popularized the concept. He explored the controversial definition using the guidelines of his predecessors and published a book with his work in 1986 by the title Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology.
It is through his research and works that the word nanotechnology acquired its current meaning and definition.
The first book by Dr. Drexler, Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology is believed to be the first book that covered and explored the topic of nanotechnology well and so he is largely associated with the invention and origin of the concept.
The invention of nanotechnology brought along two very important developments which are used widely even today. These are the coming of age of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) and nanotubes and the emergence of the cluster science concept.
The Developments in the 1980s
Since nanotechnology began evolving in the early 1980s, the emergence of related technologies has been immense. As earlier mentioned above, nanotechnology brought about the concept of nanotubes. Later in that decade the STM device and concept also came to live followed by the discovery and manipulation of fullerenes. This idea brought to light and aided a lot in the advancement of the greatly revolutionary semiconductor technology which has consequently lead to the invention of many electronic devices.
It was in the year 1987 that the first ever symposium on the subject of nanotechnology was conducted and then later in the decade at around 1989 universities introduced the course in their curriculum.
Nanotechnology Uses and Potential Risks
research is being done on a special type of nanoparticles which can help cure cancer by directly delivering the cancer terminating drugs to cancer cells in the body.
Although still not so clear how this new invention will possibly directly affect the human body, its effects on the human health and in the health industry at large area already being experienced. Nanotechnology is widely being used in many hospitals. For instance, research is being done on a special type of nanoparticles which can help cure cancer by directly delivering the cancer terminating drugs to cancer cells in the body. Nanotubes are already being used since decades ago too. It is almost as if nanotechnology will have an effect on many health sectors and this only seems to have a positive effect on mankind on a large scale though not widely implemented.
It is also already clear that nanotechnology has a major effect on technology. Devices employing the use of microparticles are being deployed to use in every industry everyday.
One hugely potential dangerous effect of the advancement of nanotechnology is the possibility of nanobots evolving and developing their own artificial intelligence and thus overtaking the human race in the near decades, this is an almost sure possibility if the current advancements are not controlled. The evidence for this is that everyday scientists are coming up with more automated machines that can think or even perform some tasks out of their own thinking and thus there is this unfortunate possibility that they could use this intelligence to damage and threaten humans.
One last risk that nanotechnology poses is one of polluting the environment and this has lead to the establishment of some control bodies by governments and concerned organizations. The nanomaterials that are created in the process are known to kill some useful bacteria and this can alter the way ecosystems are run with much potential dangers.
The future of nanotechnology
Although no one can surely tell the potential of this concept, nanotechnology is slowly becoming a part of our lives that no one can ignore.
Although no one can surely tell the potential of this concept, nanotechnology is slowly becoming a part of our lives that no one can ignore. The fact that the technologies that come with it are being used in everyday happening of our lives just send out a message that this is a not concept that will go away anytime soon rather one that will stay here and advance the more.
No one can surely also tell the future of such a delicate part of science. The only certain thing is that there are more news and developments everyday. Organizations that have discovered that they can benefit from nanotechnology are pouring in large sums of money and funding scientists to develop it more. But on the other side governments and other organizations who think of it as a hazard to the society are opposing it everyday and hindering any advancement. This only means that the future of nanotechnology is controversial and we can only wait to see what it has in store.
