Alternative Power sources - How will nanotechnology change our lives

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How will nanotechnology change our lives

Amy

2007-02-09, 3:25 am

The size of Ford's assembly plant would look strange to those born and
raised in the 21st century. In the next 50 years, machines will get
increasingly smaller -- so small that thousands of these tiny machines
would fit into the period at the end of this sentence. Within a few
decades, we will use these nanomachines to manufacture consumer goods
at the molecular level, piecing together one atom or molecule at a
time to make baseballs, telephones and cars. This is the goal of
nanotechnology.
http://www.nanotechnologyone.blogspot.com

Derek Broughton

2007-02-09, 9:25 am

Amy wrote:

> The size of Ford's assembly plant would look strange to those born and
> raised in the 21st century. In the next 50 years, machines will get
> increasingly smaller

You really think Ford is going to survive 50 years?
--
derek

jackson

2007-02-11, 3:25 am

On Feb 9, 3:23 am, "Amy" <rajeshsharma7...@rediffmail.com> wrote:
> The size of Ford's assembly plant would look strange to those born and
> raised in the 21st century. In the next 50 years, machines will get
> increasingly smaller -- so small that thousands of these tiny machines
> would fit into the period at the end of this sentence. Within a few
> decades, we will use these nanomachines to manufacture consumer goods
> at the molecular level, piecing together one atom or molecule at a
> time to make baseballs, telephones and cars. This is the goal of
> nanotechnology.http://www.nanotechnologyone.blogspot.com

I believe that the future uses of nanotech extend far beyond more
efficient manufacturing techniques. The medical/healthcare field is
one that is using nanotech now... there are topical treatments for
pressure wounds that allow up to 60% more of the active ingredient to
reach the wound bed; research has also shown promising results in
treatment of nerve injuries and strokes. In a clinical trial,
hamster's optic nerves were severed and a lattice like structure
comprised of carbon nanotubes was introduced to the site. Within 3
days the hamsters were exhibiting orienting behavior and within two
weeks they had recovered their sight. Amazing stuff but nothing
compared to a newly emerging field in healthcare -- regenerative
medicine. As a long term care administrator, a sense of helplessness
sometimes prevails when I see an otherwise healthy individual who,
because of a stroke or a car accident, will never walk, eat, or do
any of the activities of daily living that we take for granted. The
best that we can do is to stop any further decline. Wouldn't it be a
joyous event if we were to see that same individual discharged back to
his home as good as new? Or to have a victim of diabetes "cured" by
the ability to grow a new pancreas on a scaffold of nonotubes. No
more injections, finger sticks, or long term use of anti-rejection
meds because the new organ is an exact duplicate of the old and is not
perceived as a foreign object by the immune system.

There are some breathtaking and revolutionary medical uses that
combine stem cells with nanotech that sound way, way out there but
they will be available much sooner than is commonly believed. Had an
arm amputated in an industrial accident? Grow a new arm just as a
chameleon grows a new tail.

I hope I've given you additional uses for a revolutionary concept.

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