To various people, the term "nanotechnology" might mean different things. Some people conjure thoughts of dazzling new materials that are stronger than steel yet lighter than air when they hear the word nanotechnology.
Others conjure images of microscopic robots that clean gums and teeth when they hear the phrase nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology has clearly attracted the attention of not just the scientific community, but also the media and the general people, but what exactly is nanotechnology?
What exactly is it?
Nanotechnology is the science of the very small in the most literal sense of the word. It involves items that are measured in "nanometers," or one billionth of a centimeter.
To get a better understanding of how small a nanometer is, consider stretching a single meter from New York to Los Angeles and each nanometer being about the size of one aspirin pill. It's that tiny, but it's also that fascinating.
What Applications Does Nanotechnology Have?
It may appear incredibly high-tech and futuristic, and some of you may believe that nanotechnology will only be used for things like robots or international espionage (as represented in movies), but it may be used for a variety of purposes, including some of the following:
Medicine
Experts are enthused about the use of nanotechnology in medicine because it could be the answer to cancer, as well as other tumor-focused treatments.
Gold nanoparticle research has shown a lot of promise and astonishing results. Nanotechnology has the potential to eliminate cancers without causing surgical trauma once the technology and delivery method are mastered.
Computers and tablets
Do you believe that nanotechnology is solely for the ultra-high-tech? You're probably employing nanotechnology if you're using a tablet or other digital device.
They're found in a lot of computing products on the market, and nanotechnology is even used in the creation of antimicrobial coatings for your gadgets.
Is There a Negative Aspect?
Nanotechnology, like so many other things, has some drawbacks. For example, "nanosilver," which is used to remove odors in sports equipment, is extremely harmful to the environment and can cause birth abnormalities in fish and other marine mammals if it gets into the water after the garment is abandoned.