What is nanotechnology?

| Nano Technology  

The word Nano is derived from the Greek word Nanos. Which means a dwarf or a miniature human or other creature with magical powers. The technology or technology that is used to convert molecules or atoms into nanoparticles or molecules or atoms is called nanotechnology. In detail, when molecules or atoms are changed to a nano-meter scale using a special technology or device to enhance the performance of an object, that technology is called nanotechnology. Nano is basically a unit of measurement. Which is equal to one billionth of a meter. For ease of understanding, the hair on our head is 80,000 nanometers wide. The atom, the smallest unit of matter, is one-tenth of a nanometer. The DNA contained in living cells is 2 nanometers wide. Molecules or atoms are a few nanometers in length, so the molecular-atomic measurement scale is called the nanoscale.

The principle of this technology is that everything will be made at the nanoscale. The main advantage of this technology is that through it the molecules and atoms of a substance can be arranged at will and given the desired shape. In that case, artificial quality can be inserted into the material. The biggest advantage of this technology is that this technology is not isolated but it is possible to use this technology in all branches of science. Currently, the technology is popular in the field of genetic engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Use of Nano Technology :

Fullerenes: Fullerenes were developed in 1985 by A. E. Robert Carle, Harold Croteau and Richard Smiley. For which they won the Nobel Prize in 1996. Fullerene (C, O) is a replica of carbon with a diameter of about one nanometer. Fullerenes are sometimes called "buckyballs" because fullerenes are made up of many hexagonal rings and look like footballs. Fullerenes sometimes have pentagonal or tetragonal structures. Fullerenes are made by vaporizing graphite using a high-powered laser.

Fullerene is used in nanotechnology due to its high thermal resistance and electrical conductivity. Moreover, it has been possible to increase its reactivity by adding different types of active ingredients.

 Carbon nanotubes: Japanese company NEC researcher Sumio Iijima discovered carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are basically a replica of carbon and cylinder-shaped fullerenes. Its main characteristics are firmness and elasticity. Cylindrical nanotubes are 1,000 times stronger and about 6 times lighter than ordinary steel. Carbon nanotubes are produced by arc ablation or laser ablation. Two types of carbon nanotubes are commonly seen. single-walled nanotubes and multi-walled nanotubes. Its price is high as the process of making it is very expensive. In 2000, one gram of single-layered carbon nanotubes cost US$1500. Currently, the price of each gram is about 100 dollars. Scientists are thinking of building spacecraft structures, car structures or bumpers for this strong but light feature.

Nano Robots: One of the most talked about nanotechnologies is nanorobots. Scientists hope that within the next few decades, nanorobots will be able to perform surgery inside the human body.

Nanotechnology to destroy cancer cells: Cancer cells can be destroyed in the human body by applying nanotechnology. Scientists are testing its effects. Using nanotechnology, drugs can be delivered more precisely to cancer cells. That is why nanoneedles will be used. These needles will be made of carbon nanotubes that will be one millionth as thin as a human head hair. To make sure that the medicine is being given to the specific cells, a special type of fluorescent substance will be used on one side of the needle, with the help of light, the specific cells can be confirmed. In that case, the side effects of chemotherapy like the destruction of healthy cells, the creation of unbearable pain etc. will be avoided.

Fabrication of Human Organs: Research is underway on the use of nanotechnology to fabricate artificial human organs. Many scientists believe that it is possible to provide not only artificial limbs but also the feeling of limbs. Professor Ravi Saraf, a researcher at the University of Nebraska in the United States, has made a device using nanotechnology, on which the applied pressure and the change in an electric current are proportional to each other. This technology can be used to create artificial skin or organs, but it is possible to get a feeling from this pressure or electric current change. Not only that, the researchers opined that this research can also work in making robotic hands.

Nano Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology is currently being used to make various renewable energy technologies, including solar energy, more efficient and environmentally friendly. The batteries used in various electronic products also have very low durability. At present, using nanotechnology, more powerful batteries are being made. These batteries will not only provide power for a long time, but they will also reduce the weight of laptops, mobile phones or such portable devices.

Transfer of objects on the Internet: Nanotechnology can help in the transfer of objects from one place to another. Scientists hope so. Tom Mowry and Seth Goldstein, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, are researching this issue. According to them, using nanotechnology, an exact replica of an object can be created through artificial molecules. For that, the image of the object will be captured in a special camera. Later, with the help of that image, the nanoparticles can be assembled in one place to create a three-dimensional version of the object. If this research is successful, not only information can be exchanged but also objects can be exchanged on the Internet.

It will take some more days to get the benefits of this technology research. However, we have already started to enjoy some of the benefits of nanotechnology. At present, the use of nanotechnology has started in some other industries including the cosmetics, and clothing industries. Nanotechnology is being used for tennis ball socks (sock) for long-term use Nanotechnology is also working behind the big change in the data storage capacity of the hard disk.

Negative aspects of Nano Technology: All new technologies have pros and cons. Nanotechnology is not above that. Several harmful research and uses of nanotechnology are currently being observed.

On the battlefield: Several weapons have already been designed using nanotechnology. These weapons will be self-controlled. Their size will be very small like insects or birds but their destructive power will be deadly. They will be able to target themselves and launch weapons according to instructions. With the help of nanotechnology, it will be possible to create new and sophisticated weapons in a very short time in addition to conventional weapons. Conventional nuclear missiles will be replaced by self-guided nano nuclear missiles that can hit targets within a few milliseconds.

Scientists fear more horrors on the battlefield. Because nanotechnology can work at the molecular level, the molecules of matter can be arranged as desired. This means it will be possible to create a nanoscopic robotic system with artificial intelligence that can arrange molecules and atoms at will to create a replica of itself. There is also the fear that they will not become the adversary of the human race. Nanoparticles are being used in various cosmetics, including sunscreens, which can be very harmful to the human brain and lungs. Looking at the interest and activity of researchers in the developed world about nanotechnology, it can be assumed that the future world will be based on nanotechnology. To survive in this race of technology, we should also do research on this.