Nanotechnology

= What Is Nanotechnology? = toc Nanotechnology involves the use and manipulation of matter at a tiny, or “nano,” scale. The concept was initially proposed in 1959 with Richard Feynman, who gave a lecture wherein he discussed scientists being able to work with individual atoms and molecules. The standard definition came 15 years later from Norio Taniguchi when he defined nanotechnology as “the processing of, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule.”

The basis of measurement for nanotechnology is the nanometer, which is about 1/80,000th of the diameter of a human hair. At this scale, atoms and molecules work differently. Typically, properties of materials become enhanced since they are affected at such a fundamental level. From material developments and applications of nanotechnology, improvements have been made in industries ranging from energy, transportation, medicine, and information technology.

The widespread use of nanotechnology began during the 1990’s. Common products receiving the benefits of nanotechnology can range from sunscreen to body armor to fuel cells. Depending on the need, nanotechnology can enhance materials to make them lighter, stronger, more rigid, or many other possibilities. Through the application of nanotechnology, e-reader displays have even been made flexible.

What Are The Implications Of Nanotechnology?
Understanding a technology that produces components at the atomic level is a difficult enough process itself, but a great deal of attention has been given to the implications of nanotechnology. Proponents emphasize the “scientific and technical revolution” that has come from nanotechnology, stressing its beneficial uses for things such as systems on computer chips, information recording layers, and improved ink jet systems. Others, however, have hypothesized the dangers that nanotechnology could lead to. Ideas have ranged from new and more powerful weapons to the loss of jobs. Nanotechnology even gained entry into popular culture with Michael Crichton’s book __Prey__.

How Does Nanotechnology Relate To Web Technologies and Information Professionals?
The computing industry in particular has given interest to the science and use of nanotechnology. Two challenges that computer chip manufacturers face are increasing the performance of chips and minimizing their power usage. Although they have been able to improve upon these over time by decreasing the size of chips, the manufacturers began to reach a limit at which standard design methods were no longer sufficient. In early 2011, Intel developed a radical new means of chip manufacture by making the components of the chip have 3 dimensions, as opposed to the traditional 2-dimensional methods. This was achieved through the application of nanotechnology, and their latest transistor, the “tri-gate transistor,” is 22 nanometers in size. To put it in perspective, a period at the end of a sentence could hold more than 6 million of these transistors. media type="youtube" key="YIkMaQJSyP8" height="315" width="560"

As a result of Intel’s breakthrough, their transistor maximizes performance and minimizes energy use. They are now smaller, faster, and require the least amount of energy than transistors ever have before. Consequently, computers and handheld devices can be made smaller, web servers can run faster, and batteries can last longer. Through nanotechnology, the jobs of information professionals can improve significantly. The tools they use to gather and disseminate information, whether they be computers, tablets, smartphones, or other electronic devices, will work faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Institutions for the Study and Development of Nanotechnology
Numerous institutions have dedicated centers for researching the possibilities of nanotechnology. One of the most comprehensive lists of institutions in the United States can be found at the following site made available by Nano.gov: @http://nano.gov/centers-networks

The European counterpart to the aforementioned link is available from Nanoforum.org. This website includes an interactive map where users can view organizations dealing with nanotechnology, and can even sort by type of organization, such as museums, research centers, or enterprises: @http://www.nanoforum.org/nf06~folder~0~modul~searchinstitutions~scc~institutions~.html?

**References**
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Berger, M. (2007, April 12). Nanotechnology to the rescue of overheating computer chips. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from @http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=1762.php

//Centers and Networks.// (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2011, from @http://nano.gov/centers-networks

ChannelIntel (2011, May 4). Video animation: Mark Bohr gets small: 22nm explained [Video file]. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIkMaQJSyP8&feature=player_embedded

//Fun Facts: How small is 22nm?// (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://newsroom.intel.com/docs/DOC-2032

IntelPR (2011, May 2). Intel 22nm 3-D tri-gate transistor technology. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://newsroom.intel.com/docs/DOC-2032

Nanoforum.org (n.d.). [Home Page]. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.nanoforum.org/educationtree/index.htm

//Nanotechnology introduction//. (2011, July 28). Retrieved November 6, 2011, from http://www.nanotech-now.com/introduction.htm

NASA. (1997, April 1). Fullerene nanogears [Photograph]. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from @http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFullerene_Nanogears_-_GPN-2000-001535.jpg

//Organizations by map.// (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2011, from @http://www.nanoforum.org/nf06~folder~0~modul~searchinstitutions~scc~institutions~.html?

//Prey//. (2011). Retrieved November 6, 2011, from http://www.michaelcrichton.net/books-prey.html

Treder, M. (2005). War, interdependence, and nanotechnology. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from http://www.futurebrief.com/miketrederwar002.asp

//What is nanotechnology?// (2011). Retrieved November 6, 2011, from @http://www.lanl.gov/mst/nano/definition.html