Archive for category nanotechnology
Advances in Nanotechnology That Might Cure HIV
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
One of the frequent scourges that affect mankind is the problem related to the human immunodeficiency virus that is more popularly known as HIV. Affecting Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, and some parts of Europe, the HIV problem is of pressing need to man and governments because of its impact to health. This is why researches for the development of cures for HIV has been in feverish pitch since the disease was first discovered in the early 80s. However, despite all these, cures for HIV are something that is still elusive. That was the case until nanotechnology came along and gave mankind its first real hope of winning against this dreaded disease. Today, various products of nanotechnology that might cure HIV are seriously pursued in the hope that it will put an end to man’s worrying of the disease.
Approaches to the Treatment of HIV
Using nanotechnology that might cure HIV comes in various forms. Most of these are still in the laboratory testing stages and are not yet available for mass treatment. Nonetheless, feedbacks have been very encouraging to the point that experts regularly call their efforts already a success even with the absence of actual testing on HIV patients. The following are some of the most common approaches in using nanotechnology that might cure HIV:
- Neutralization of the HIV virus. Because HIV virus has been so resilient and tough to crack, one of the keys to a successful treatment of HIV cases is to neutralize the very virus that causes it. In this, scientists have developed nano particles that attack the virus. Because nano particles are very small, they are not easily detected and neutralized by the virus. Instead, they are able to penetrate the mantle of the virus, thus rendering it harmless.
- Another approach in nanotechnology that might cure HIV is the strengthening of a person’s immune system. This is made possible with the use of nano particles that are injected into a person’s body. Such particles boost the immune system and help the body to repair damaged tissues, which is something very common among HIV patients. On the other hand, because they are very minute particles, they easily mix in with the bloodstream and distributed in the body.
- Combination therapy is one of the techniques using nanotechnology that might cure HIV. In this, the therapy of attacking the HIV virus is paired with the strategy of enhancing the immune system. Because of this, patients who would have died from an HIV infection now have a better chance to survive the virus instead. Moreover, the immune system is boosted and rejuvenated, which not only improves the chances of a person surviving HIV but also a chance for a better health.
Despite the very promising and rosy picture all these products of nanotechnology that might cure HIV brings, the reality is that these are all still in the planning board. Scientists themselves acknowledge that plenty of researches have to be done before these treatments will be available on a mass basis.
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Nanotechnology Products: Science’s Promising Frontiers
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
Scientists know that the benefits their craft can give to mankind is practically endless. It is like a cycle wherein a major achievement is followed by something else even more astounding and significant. As a result, the frontiers of man’s abilities are constantly being pushed forward, widening the possibilities that man holds in his hands. One of these ways to push the frontier forward is through nanotechnology products. As a matter of fact, more than just being an addition to the wealth of knowledge of man, nanotechnology is one of the latest and most advanced of technological applications whose impact to man has not been fully fathomed, yet experts predict that it will far overshadow anything that has come before.
Nanotechnology Defined
Nanotechnology is the application of scientific knowledge on matters that are atomic or molecular in size. It also involves production of materials and gadgets that falls within the size range. In a time when scientific knowledge and achievement is usually measured in terms of how grand they are or how big they seem, nanotechnology products are reminders that not everything in life must necessarily be big to create an impact. Not only does this maxim hold true to scientific approaches, it is also very true for life in general.
Nanotechnology Applications
Because of the nature of nanotechnology, it allows men to delve into the tiniest particles both in man and in his environment. Because the approach is molecular or atomic, it allows men to go deep into the nature of the problem and apply solutions at its base. Moreover, nanotechnology has also allowed mankind to come up with objects that address the most basic of his needs. Some of the nanotechnology products that have helped man in a lot of ways are the following:
- Tissue engineering is one of the nanotechnology products and one that has the biggest benefit for man. Because of this, it is now possible to repair damaged tissues without posing risks to the nearby healthy tissues.
- Other nanotechnology products are used in nanofiltration or the procedure of purifying water and air. This is made possible with the help of protective screens that are placed on smokestacks or in water carriers so that even the tiniest of impurities will be eliminated.
- In the field of energy consumption, nanotechnology products are used to maximize fuel consumption. Most such products come in the form of insulating systems that are used in air-conditioning units and refrigerators to make sure that every ounce of electricity is applied to making the room or fridge cool.
- One of the greatest benefits of nanotechnology is in the field of creating materials that are light yet very tough. In this, the aerospace industry is the first to benefit from. Nanotechnology products here come in the form of lighter panels, cockpit glass, engine, and components, along with propellers for aircraft. Because of the lightness of the materials used, the output of the engine is better geared toward increasing the speed of the plane. As a result, fuel efficiency is also maximized.
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The Basics of Molecular Nanotechnology
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
MNT or molecular nanotechnology is a manufacturing technology that is currently being researched and is said to be something that will allow the precise control and assembly of building blocks that are molecule sized–and this is done with the help of manipulator arms that come in nano-scale sizes. While nanotechnology in general is considered a term that is used to describe the technological and scientific projects that revolve around the different properties and phenomena that are at the nanometer scale, molecular nanotechnology is considered a distinct science apart from this general term.
Bottom-Up Manufacturing
The idea for molecular nanotechnology first took shape in the hands of Richard Feynman who was a Nobel-Prize-winning physicist. He first talked about this in 1959 and discussed the possibility of regular-sized robot arms building one-tenth-sized replicas of themselves. These smaller replicas will then repeat the process of building smaller copies of themselves until the replicas that were being produced were of a molecular scale. He further expounded on the use of these miniscule manufacturing arms in what was to be called a bottom-up manufacturing method where things are built from the ground up.
Continuing Development and Research
While the idea had its merits, it was not until the 1980s when an MIT engineer named K. Eric Drexler took the concept up again and wrote a book about it, outlining the possibilities of molecular nanotechnology. He stated that since this will enable people to manufacture products from the molecular base upwards and with molecular precision, a whole lot of chemically possible structures could actually be created with this method. The process is called molecular manufacturing, and the idea that each molecule of the substance being created is put in its specific place with utmost precision means that the end-result can be products that are efficiently and very cleanly put together.
From Concept to Realization
This idea called molecular nanotechnology is still in its research stage with scientists trying to find ways to make the creation of products from the ground up a reality. This concept is seen as something that can benefit the human race in many ways and these include the creation of what is called smart materials, materials that are made to react differently to the different molecules they encounter. These can be seen applied to such fields like medicine and is seen to be ideal for such ideas like self-healing products.
Other Possible Applications
Other possibilities that seem to be considered ideal with the use of molecular nanotechnology include the creation of medical nanorobots and replicating nanorobots. The reason why these nanorobots are appealing to a lot of researchers is the fact that these miniscule robots that can be tasked to help with medical problems can help prevent diseases by helping keep certain parts of your body free of the disease-carrying factors that you have in your body. An example of what these medical nanorobots could do is the concept of their being able to repair tissues and cells when they get damaged. These are also viewed as possible “repairmen” that can help repair physical injuries from the inside out.
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Nanotechnology Cancer Research and Development
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
One of the areas of medicine that will benefit from the research and development of nanotechnology is that of cancer treatment and detection. Nanotechnology cancer research and development is being actively funded and pursued to help people find better ways to diagnose and manage cancer as well as to treat it. The National Cancer Institute is aiming to decrease cancer deaths by the year 2015 and to do so with the help of the technology called nanotech.
How Nanotechnology Can Help with Cancer
Nanotechnology cancer-related research actually involves the use of nanodevices in clinical trials to help with the early detection of the problem, the finding of the cancerous cells within a patient’s body, and for nanotechnology cancer Research and Development to accurately deliver drugs to treat these cancerous cells with.
Nanotechnology is also used to help determine if these cancerous cells have indeed been eradicated by the “smart drugs” that were administered to it. These clinical trials give doctors and researchers the kind of results they need to help create the kind of help people with cancer will require in the future to detect early on the signs of cancer, treat the cancerous cells, and even to prevent the onset or recurrence of the debilitating disorder.
The NCI Nanotechnology Project
The National Cancer Institute or NCI has launched a plan of action for achieving this great goal of harnessing the power of nanotechnology to create a way to diagnose cancer and to locate these cancerous cells in a person’s body with nanotechnology cancer research projects. The ultimate goal is to be able to eradicate cancer altogether with the help of this technological breakthrough, and this is to be done with the help of six areas of research and development into the science. These areas include the prevention and the control of cancer, the early detection and diagnosis of the problem, the development of imaging diagnostics that use nanotechnology for accuracy, and the utilization of nanotechnology in therapy.
Why Nanotechnology Is Considered the Best Solution
When you really think about it, nanotechnology cancer research and the development of solutions that can help people detect cancer better and cure it more accurately is something that can actually benefit all. Not only will this kind of development help with the early detection of the problem and the on-point eradication of the source of the problem, it also does it with minimal or non-invasive methods. This kind of method that is done with the help of nanotechnology will not only revolutionize the way cancer is treated and diagnosed but will also help develop methods for detecting ailments that can also be used for other dangerous diseases.
Encouraging Early Results
With the continued nanotechnology cancer research being conducted on the possibility of better diagnostics and treatment of this ailment with the help of nanoscience, people may soon find that they can get a more accurate diagnosis about their ailment soon and will get the kind of accurate treatment they need as well. The early results of such clinical and laboratory trials is showing a lot of people that it is indeed something worth looking forward to and something that can help a lot of people in the near future.
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Investing in Nanotechnology Stocks
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
Investing in stocks is one of the things a lot of people do to try and make a lot of money out of. One of the stocks that people seem to be eyeing are nanotechnology stocks since there seems to be an increase in the interest in this technology these days. This interest in stocks for nanotechnology is spurred on by the many breakthroughs that seem to be coming to the forefront with the latest research and discoveries being made in this nanoscience. This is due to the fact that a lot of the scientists and researchers handling these projects often say that there is much promise in the science and commercial uses for this kind of technology in the near future.
Hype or Legitimate Investment?
A lot of people who are actually contemplating investing in nanotechnology stocks have a certain fear that this may all just be brought about by the hype that comes with every new discovery. Much like the dot com bubble that burst after a few years, people are afraid that this interest in nanotechnology will soon fade and prove to be another just like it. While forecasts show that there will indeed be a steady rise in interest in this technology due to the constant trickle of innovations that use this science into the market, you will need to determine which companies that are researching nanotech and are into serious nanoscience development are worth investing in.
Finding Legitimate Nanotech Companies
When looking for nanotechnology stocks that are legitimately ripe for investing in, you will first need to figure out if companies you are looking through are indeed seriously researching and developing nanoscience and nanotechnology. When defined, a company that is considered part of the companies that sell nanotechnology stock are those that are engaged in the science and in the technology that builds electronic circuits and other devices from molecules and single atoms. This means that companies that can be considered part of the world of nanotechnology are those that work on applications that manipulate and develop devices and materials at an atomic scale.
Forecasts for Nanotechnology Stocks
To check the forecasts on nanotechnology stocks, you will first need to be able to distinguish market size from the value of the manufactured technology. This means you will to be able to discern the true value of the market without it being based on impacts. You will need to include in your research only the technologies that belong to nanotechnology and not those products that use these components or have this in their construction.
Risk or Opportunity?
To determine whether nanotechnology stocks are indeed worth investing in, you should prepare to wait a few years or even decades to truly see where your investment is going. Nanotechnology and stocks that are being sold to investors for this science and its development does indeed show some promise, but you will still need to find the right company to invest in. There are small companies that produce purely nanotechnology products, and there are big companies that produce the same products at only a small percentage but they make more money due to their size. Which one do you think is the better investment? Either way, investing in these stocks can both be a risk and an opportunity and it is up to you if you want to take it.
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The Importance of Nanotechnology in Medicine
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
One of the areas where nanotechnology is being touted to create a huge impact on and will benefit society the most is medicine. Nanotechnology in medicine is actually being seen as the future of wellness and is being actively used these days in creating a better drug delivery system that makes the absorption of the components of medication more effective. Some of the medications that already use nanotechnology to effectively deliver their components to the areas that they need to get to include those that are meant for controlling cholesterol levels and for suppressing one’s appetite for effective weight loss.
Smart Drugs with the Use of Nanotechnology
When you talk about nanotechnology in medicine, one of the areas that is getting a lot of attention and where a lot of research is being done is in the creation of what is called smart drugs. Smart drugs will effectively target the areas that they need to target to effectively eradicate the cause of the ailment that the person is suffering. There are a lot of ailments that will need this kind of a drug, and researchers are trying to come up with drug therapies that can help people get over illnesses faster simply because the drugs that they are taking work more effectively.
Nanotechnology and Cancer
One of the ailments that is being seen as a beneficiary of the development of nanotechnology in medicine is cancer, and the National Cancer Institute has seen this. They have even created an alliance called the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, and the investments that they make in this direction is done with the hopes of finding breakthroughs that can help in the early detection, diagnostics, and treatment of the different forms of this ailment.
Nanotechnology and Future Medical Uses
There are a lot of areas in medicine that will greatly benefit from the further development of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in medicine will benefit those that suffer from heart disease, respiratory problems, and diabetes in the future with the breakthroughs that may be found in the research that is being made in these areas. Other areas that may see some help from nanotechnology in the future also include fertility issues, brain issues or malfunctions, and even the reparation of senses. These areas are also being researched by experts in these fields along with experts in nanotechnology. This is done to find solutions to problems that have plagued humans for ages now.
Cell and Bone Regeneration with Nanotechnology
Also included in the list of possible future uses nanotechnology in medicine are those that revolve around cell and bone regeneration. The cell and nerve regeneration possibility is actually in its early stages of research and development, and it won’t be long till these become a reality and can be used to help people who need to have certain cells in their body mended or bones that need fixing repaired. The use of nanotechnology in these areas of medicine is one that people look forward to since the discovery of solutions for broken bones and for cell reparation can lead to better and faster healing of the body.
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Bio-Based Nanotechnology for Environmental Concerns
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 19th, 2010
A lot of the things that are being produced these days now take into consideration the effects that these have on our environment. Products that need fossil fuels to be produced and items that are created with the use of non-biodegradable substances are now being rethought and reconfigured to help keep the environment clean and safe. This includes nanotechnology since a lot of nanotech products are produced from fossil fuels like carbon fibers and such. These make them non-biodegradable, and while ultimately useful, they still pose a threat to the environment in the long run. This is where bio-based nanotechnology comes in.
Using Natural Fibers Instead of Synthetic Ones
When it comes to producing biodegradable alternatives to products that use synthetic fibers, natural fibers are often considered as alternatives despite the fact that some of these natural fibers lack the high-performance attributes that most synthetic fibers possess. Some of the natural fibers that have been used to replace these synthetic fibers include wool and cotton. However, since these prove to be rather poor substitutes for the synthetic fibers gained from fossil fuels, another source is being considered. Bio-based nanotechnology has found that cellulose is one of the most ideal replacements for this need due to the fact that these cellulose nanofibers have unique properties that can be useful for nanotechnology uses.
Difficulties and Solutions to Cellulose Nanofiber
The use of cellulose nanofiber, which is found in natural plant bodies for use in the manufacture of high-performance packaging that is environmentally friendly, actually presented quite a few problems to the scientists that were researching the possibility. One of the problems that they encountered was the microfibril length and the impairment of the structural potential of these nanofibers when these were developed with the use of old methods. This was overcome with the use of newer methods of conversion that helped these researchers develop cellulose nanofibers that measured 4 to 5 nm in width and were around a few microns long. This means that bio-based nanotechnology can now be utilized for the many nanofiber-based products that we need and use.
Sustainable and Ecologically Sound Alternative
The use of wood cellulose and the high-crystalline cellulose fibers that are found in it in the creation of bio-based nanotechnology products is ideal for this day and age due to the ever-increasing problems we have with sustainability and with products harming the environment. This is so because these are made with the use of materials that will help the Earth keep itself green and at the same time give people the products that they want and need without putting the planet in more danger than it already is in. The challenge now for scientists and researchers regarding this sustainable and ecologically sound alternative to fossil-fuel-based nanofibers is to come up with a way to engineer these green nano materials into products that can be used effectively by all in many ways. An example of a product that can be made from these bio-based nanofibers is biodegradable packaging materials and other similar applications.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanotechnology
Posted by Nadya in nanotechnology on April 5th, 2010
While nanotechnology is seen as the way of the future and is a technology that a lot of people think will bring a lot of benefit for all who will be using it, nothing is ever perfect and there will always be pros and cons to everything. The advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology can be easily enumerated, and here are some of them:
Advantages of Nanotechnology
To enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology, let us first run through the good things this technology brings:
- Nanotechnology can actually revolutionize a lot of electronic products, procedures, and applications. The areas that benefit from the continued development of nanotechnology when it comes to electronic products include nano transistors, nano diodes, OLED, plasma displays, quantum computers, and many more.
- Nanotechnology can also benefit the energy sector. The development of more effective energy-producing, energy-absorbing, and energy storage products in smaller and more efficient devices is possible with this technology. Such items like batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells can be built smaller but can be made to be more effective with this technology.
- Another industry that can benefit from nanotechnology is the manufacturing sector that will need materials like nanotubes, aerogels, nano particles, and other similar items to produce their products with. These materials are often stronger, more durable, and lighter than those that are not produced with the help of nanotechnology.
- In the medical world, nanotechnology is also seen as a boon since these can help with creating what is called smart drugs. These help cure people faster and without the side effects that other traditional drugs have. You will also find that the research of nanotechnology in medicine is now focusing on areas like tissue regeneration, bone repair, immunity and even cures for such ailments like cancer, diabetes, and other life threatening diseases.
Disadvantages of Nanotechnology
When tackling the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology, you will also need to point out what can be seen as the negative side of this technology:
- Included in the list of disadvantages of this science and its development is the possible loss of jobs in the traditional farming and manufacturing industry.
- You will also find that the development of nanotechnology can also bring about the crash of certain markets due to the lowering of the value of oil and diamonds due to the possibility of developing alternative sources of energy that are more efficient and won’t require the use of fossil fuels. This can also mean that since people can now develop products at the molecular level, diamonds will also lose its value since it can now be mass produced.
- Atomic weapons can now be more accessible and made to be more powerful and more destructive. These can also become more accessible with nanotechnology.
- Since these particles are very small, problems can actually arise from the inhalation of these minute particles, much like the problems a person gets from inhaling minute asbestos particles.
- Presently, nanotechnology is very expensive and developing it can cost you a lot of money. It is also pretty difficult to manufacture, which is probably why products made with nanotechnology are more expensive.
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Mattresses and Nanotechnology – The Quest For Nano-Mattress
Posted by admin in nanotechnology on July 21st, 2009
We all know from sad experience that even if an innerspring mattress seems perfectly fine when you buy it new, however after a while the springs wear out and you’re left with a creaky, uncomfortable, sad excuse for a bed. Nanotechnology is here to save the day.
Many people have never even heard of this cutting-edge science, but it’s quite simple: nanotechnology studies and modifies elements at the particle level, so it can be applied to almost anything you can imagine. And when you apply it to mattresses, you get an extremely pleasant result.
Scientists at the University of Florida and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a mattress built on flexible nano-engineered carbon microtubes. In form and appearance this material will basically resemble foam.
Nanotechnology Dangers
Posted by clare in nanotechnology on June 30th, 2009
Every new technology is a potential tool for good or evil nanotechnology dangers are also possible. Our responsibility as propagators of each new technology is to be informed about their possibilities and act accordingly.
As we investigate the new realm of nanotechnology, it becomes necessary to realize that this new field offers both miraculous potential and also nightmare effects.
The issue is pressing because economic concerns often win out over health considerations. Nanotechnology is no exception; products that have been submitted to scanty research are already making slow but steady breakthroughs into the marketplace.
Billions of dollars have already been spent on development and advertising. Far less has been spent on investigating the ways in which these nano-products interact with humans and their environment.
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