Nanotechnology: Myth and Reality
- Jennifer Hollingsworth, LANL
Do you use nanotechnology in your daily life? You might be surprised to learn that there are already almost 600 nanotechnology products on the market, including cosmetics, sunscreens, clothing, electronics, home furnishings, and sports equipment. But, what is nanotechnology? It is simply the ability to measure, see, manipulate, and manufacture things between 1 and 100 nanometers in size, where one nanometer (nm) is 10-9 meters or 1/100,000 the width of a human hair. In other words, the change in scale in going from a nano-sized ball to a softball is equivalent to that in going from the softball to a ball the size of the moon. Some view nanotechnology as the driver of a new industrial revolution that will make use of the unique and important properties that arise as materials are shrunk to the nanoscale. Such proponents of nanotechnology believe that it can be used to solve the energy and biomedical crises that plague 21st century humanity. Others focus on the risks associated with making and using nanoscale materials. One fear – popular in science fiction literature – is that nanotechnology may lead to the “grey goo” revolution in which out-of-control self-replicating nano-robots consume all living matter on Earth. This Café will explore the current reality of nanotechnology that lies somewhere between these two extremes of ultimate promise and ultimate doom.
According to legend, three ancient Chinese curses state,
• May you live in interesting times
• May you come to the attention of those in authority
• May you find what you are looking for
Depending on whether you believe these to be curses—or blessings—may help determine whether science is the career for you.
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Albuquerque
Café
April 9
6:00 - 7:30 PM
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
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Española/Pojoaque
Café
April 20
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Northern New Mexico College, Admin Bldg. RM 101/102
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Los Alamos
Café
April 10
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Bradbury Science Museum
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Santa Fe
Café
April 17
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Santa Fe Community College, Jemez 2 room
Discovery
April 24
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Santa Fe Community College, Jemez 2 room
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Café Presentation
pdf
Nanotechnology: Myth and Reality
Consumer Products An inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products currently on the market This web site contains a list of 500+ products that contain nanomaterials
Nanotechnology takes off - KQED QUEST Television Story This is a movie that features Berkeley nano scientists talking about the science and future of nanotechnology
Remarkable New Clothing May Someday Power Your iPod® Imagine being able to power small devices through energy that is converted by the shirt on you back through your physical motions. This is what nanotechnology researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are attempting.
The Nano Song Berkeley junior Glory Liu performed the vocals in "The Nano Song."