Nanotechnology (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what nanotechnology is, what it is for and examples. Also, its applications in medicine, biotechnology and other areas.

What is nanotechnology?

Broadly speaking, nanotechnology is the manipulation and manufacturing of materials and artifacts at an atomic or molecular scale that is, nanometric. This is a very broad field of research and applications that is still being consolidated.

Nanotechnology involves subatomic matter, as well as specific knowledge from scientific disciplines such as organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductors, microfabrication and surface science, among others.

Put very simply, nanotechnology starts from the idea of building microscopic machines with which in turn produce novel materials, with a unique and particular molecular configuration.

However, the nature of many of these “machines” is not similar to those we use in our daily lives, but may well consist of genetically “reprogrammed” viruses and other biotechnological means. Consequently, this technology is an infinite source of possibilities and, naturally, dangers.

Furthermore, through nanotechnology nanomaterials have been built, which are elements that do not exist in nature and amazing properties. They were created from the modification of the molecules of already existing materials.

Thus, a gigantic field of research has been opened with virtually infinite applications, which are still under definition and experimentation. Nanotechnology promises to bring with it a new industrial and scientific-technological revolution.

See also: Genetically modified organisms

History of nanotechnology

In 1959, the possibility of nanotechnology was first discussed and nanoscience. The first to refer to them was a Nobel Prize winner in Physics (1965), the American Richard Feynman (1918-1988), during his speech at Caltech (California, USA), in which he theorized about synthesis by direct manipulation of the atoms.

However, The term “nanotechnology” was coined in 1974 by the Japanese Norio Taniguchi (1912-1999). Since then, many have dreamed or theorized about the possibility of this type of advanced machines and materials.

What is nanotechnology used for?

In basic terms, nanotechnology is a type of materials engineering at the atomic or molecular scale. That means that allows matter to be manipulated on an infinitely small scale between 1 and 100 nanometers, that is, more or less between the size of a DNA molecule (2 nm) and a bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus (200 nm).

Therefore, The benefits of nanotechnology are virtually endless: from intervening in the chemical composition of living beings, thus allowing the DNA of microscopic living beings to be modified and “programmed” to carry out certain biochemical tasks, to the manufacture of novel materials with unique properties, called nanomaterials.

Nanotechnology applications

Some of the current applications of nanotechnology have to do with:

Textile industry The creation of intelligent fabrics, capable of pre-programmed behaviors in chips or other electronic instruments, thus being able to be self-cleaning, stain-repellent or able to change color and temperature.
Agricultural design Preparation of controlled biochemical pesticides, pesticides and fertilizers that allow soil improvement, as well as nanosensors for detecting groundwater, nutrient concentration, etc.
Support for livestock Manufacture through nanoparticles of vaccines and drugs to care for the health of livestock, or nanosensors capable of alerting about the presence of diseases, parasites, etc.
Food industry In this area, everything from food sensors are developed, that is, elements that can check the viability of food, to nanopackaging for it, specially designed to slow down the natural process of food decomposition.
Nanodrugs This is a first generation of pharmacological products designed with nanosystems, capable of efficiently and specifically distributing the active compounds of medicines, obtaining better and faster results and minimizing collateral damage.

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On the other hand, the industry sees the following as future fields of research:

Nanoinformatics The design of computerized systems of enormous power and speed through nanosystems.
Nanothermology Application of nanomachines to efficiently and quickly regulate local temperature.
Nanoenergies That they could well be efficient, safe and have low environmental impact, as a solution to the energy crisis that begins the 21st century.
Environmental solutions Such as nanotechnological hazardous waste disposal or garbage disposal systems.

Examples of nanotechnology

A couple of examples of the current nanotechnology application to human problems are the following:

Bactericidal black silicon Australian and Spanish scientists announced the creation of a material known as “black silicon”, whose molecular composition prevents, without the need for added products, the proliferation of numerous species of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, in addition to reducing the effectiveness of certain types of endospores.
Nanosurgery using a robot The Swiss laboratory ETH Zürich is preparing to test its first magnetically guided microrobot, known as OctoMag, with which it is expected to be able to carry out microsurgeries without opening the patient, simply by injecting it into the body using a small needle. Similar models of micropumps have also been tested in the US, which release drugs into the eye when necessary.

Nanotechnology in medicine

nanotechnology examples vaccines — Nanovaccines can help the immune system fight diseases.

The promises of nanotechnology for the advancement of medicine are astonishing, to say the least. Above we gave a couple of examples of this, but there is still much to discover, such as:

Nanotreatments for incurable diseases Nanotechnological solutions to cancer, HIV/AIDS or Alzheimer's disease could come from biochemical robots injected into the human body.
Nanotechnological slowing of aging One day we could, using nanoparticles, combat aging at a molecular level and further extend our life expectancies, delaying senility.
Nanovaccines Protection systems against diseases based on the introduction of nanosystems to the body, which would assist the immune system in the fight against all types of new diseases.
Genetic reprogramming Using nanorobots it would be possible to modify our DNA and gradually eliminate the genes that carry congenital diseases, deficiencies and other illnesses. This would improve the quality of life of the species in general. This, of course, also requires rethinking the moral laws of science to a certain level.

Nanotechnology and biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of technological solutions to biological problems. It takes on a whole new level thanks to the introduction of nanosciences.

The possibility of programming or reprogramming living beings through the nanotechnological intervention of DNA could allow us to lead life towards more convenient paths. However, The combination of biotechnology and nanotechnology will involve significant ethical and biological risks.

Humanity knows very well what happens when it tries to play God. For example, the production of more dairy and meaty cows, pest-resistant crops, etc., must always go hand in hand with reflection on our place in the natural order of the world.

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