Nanotechnology

In general, the term nanotechnology refers to that field of science and technology pertaining to the creation and use of materials or devices at the nanometer scale, which is one billionth of a meter. Scientists refer to the dimensional range of up to 100 nanometers as the nanoscale, 1/800 the size of a human hair.

Consumers are being inundated with products that claim to have the ability to improve upon products we use every day. You could buy a car that has scratch-resistant paint. You accidentally spill red wine on your new pants, but it wipes clean as if nothing happened. Or how about buying a bottle of hairspray that doubles as a sunscreen for your hair?

Proponents claim that nanotechnologies can enhance our lives, have the power to cure diseases and even prolong our lifespan. Opponents fear that the relative scale of the particles can cause havoc within our bodies, causing further disease and problems. While more and more research and funding are being put into these technologies, there is not yet enough consideration about the effects on the environment, wildlife, and people.

The National Science and Technology Council has defined nanotechnology as “the ability to work at the molecular level, atom by atom, to create structures with fundamentally new molecular organization and exploit the novel properties exhibited at that scale.” In general, the term nanotechnology refers to that field of science and technology pertaining to the creation and use of materials or devices at the nanometer scale, which is one billionth of a meter. Scientists refer to the dimensional range of up to 100 nanometers as the nanoscale, 1/800 the size of a human hair