Nanotechnology : Introduction
Nanotechnology - the science of the miniature, and the technology of
the future - is one of the most exciting and wide area of research which
may lead to the greatest technological advances of the 21st century. It
is a global phenomenon and an emerging field, that finds its way into
a myriad of industrial applications spanning across all areas of science
and technology. A form of molecular engineering, it is the technology
associated with the creation and scrutiny of minute objects, measuring
between 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology can be defined as the
application of science, engineering and technology to develop novel materials
and devices in different fields in the nano-range.
'Nano' in Greek means dwarf. Nanometer (nm) is a unit of measurement
used to measure very small particles like atoms and molecules. One nanometer
is equal to one-billionth (10-9) of a meter. Entirely different from bulk
material, nano-materials are 5,000 to 50,000 times smaller than the diameter
of a human hair. These light but strong, transparent materials are very
active and aggressive in any chemical reaction. Nano-materials can be
mixed with strong or weak materials to make them thousand times stronger
and more efficient. Carbon and diamond are super examples of nano-materials. The
concept of Nanotechnology originated in 1959 and was founded by the American
physicist Richard P Feynmam. But the term 'Nanotechnology' was first used
in 1974 by Japanese scientist Prof. Norio Taniguchi at the Tokyo Science
University. However it was introduced to the world in 1986 by K. Eric
Drexler, an American Engineer and the founder of Foresight Nanotech Institute.
Nanotechnology is a unique and special branch of science that essentially
combines physics, chemistry, biology, engineering etc. Sometimes known
as molecular manufacturing, it deals with the design and manufacture of
extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the
molecular level of matter. The application of Nanotechnology will
open new avenues of research in the world of science and engineering in
almost every field, from medicine to fabrics. Due to this, the relatively
new field is fast emerging as the favorite of all kinds of technological
arena and will be one of the most significant enabling technologies in
the future.
Even though the field is popular abroad, it is quite recently that Indian
industries have started realizing the commercial viability of Nanotechnology.
In India, Nanotechnology is at its infancy stage and is targeted towards
the main streams like electronics, healthcare markets, and other industrial
products. Many scientific institutions have been doing Research and Development
(R&D) in this field. The scope and application of Nanotechnology is
tremendous and mind-boggling and it is one of the hottest career option
available to Indian Engineering graduates. It is an apt career for
those who have a scientific bent of mind and a passion for solving mysteries
of the minutest molecules. Students with a science and engineering background
and even mathematics with physics background can pursue Nanotechnology
as a career. Candidates with M.Tech in Nanotechnology are in great demand
both in India and abroad.
It is a powerful technology which aids the development of products with
futuristic performance. All major sectors of life will be effected by
this new area. The two major categories of Nanotechnolgy are Nanoscale
technology and Molecular manufacturing. Nanoscale technology covers small
structures and can be used for introducing stronger materials, better
medicines, faster computers and so on. Molecular manufacturing is an attempt
at building mechanical and chemical manufacturing systems that join molecules
together.
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