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Discussion of Nanobots and Nanotechnology

Nanobots are miniature robots that work on the scale of atoms and molecules. Although they function on the scale of atoms and molecules, they can work together in response to environment stimuli and programmed principles to produce macroscale results. Nanobotech focuses on the various applications for which nanobots can be used. Nanotechnology is the ability to produce things by sequentially positioning small numbers of atoms and molecules.  Nanoscale control allows one to generate original substances and patterns with features that are superior to those created using regular methods.  However, it will likely be prohibitively laborious to construct something by manually positioning unique atoms.  Thus, nanotechnology generally depends on the construction of micro-environmental conditions under which nanoparticles or alternative nanostructures will assemble themselves.   In some respects, self-assembly is similar to the reproductive aspect of life science organisms.  However, inorganic structures such as crystals furthermore self create under the proper conditions.  Nanotech electronic circuits might be grown like crystals rather than manually assembled one atom at a time.

As one probes into processes on the scale of nanometers, elements of the tangible, biologic and material sciences converge.  Similarly, as manufacturing moves in the direction of extremely small, self-assembling instruments that respond to natural conditions, the barriers between engineering and biology fuse.  As circuits are grown from the bottom up, instead of being scribed or assembled from the top down, then the boundaries between information science and biology blend.  For these reasons, nanotechnology is genuinely an interdisciplinary convergence.

When the core concepts of nanotechnology were first expressed, they were commonly greeted with polarized views -- visionary optimism or forehead-furrowed cynicism.  Visionary optimists envisioned compact equipment making us anything we want from yesterday's rubbish, like the replicators in “Star Trek.”  Cynics could not see beyond the lack of devices for molecular level manufacturing at the time and they discounted the principle as fantasy.  Since then, instruments such as the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) have been developed to guide mass at the nanosize dimension.  There is now a growing middle ground of analysts and manufacturers who are creating basic, but useful, nano-tech usages.  Related AP Materials.

Current nanomanufacturing processes seldom build matter one atom, or even one molecule, at a time.  Generally they involve the creation of focused microscale surroundings that create desired nano-geometric structures to form.  These designs (such as nanotubes, nanoshells, nanospheres and nanoctagons) are then combined to construct larger materials and objects.  Nanocomposites blend substances such as polymers and ceramics in nanoscale proportions.  Round nanoshells, nanocircles, and nanospheres are used to reflect or filter specific wavelengths of light.  They can also act as nano size ball bearings to form low-friction coatings.   Columnar nanotubes, nanoctagons and different nanogons are used to make materials with superior strength and electro-conductive properties.

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The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) delivers a way to photo surface contours at the atomic plane.  It does not produce images through reflected light and lenses like a standard microscope.  Instead, it measures variation in the deflection of a ceramic or semiconductor probe as it moves across the surface of mass.  As the probe moves across the surface, variation in atomic pattern causes the probe to deflect.  A laser measures the degree of deflection.  Variation in the laser beam is used, in turn, to create an atomic dimension photo of the surface.  The Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is able to not only create illustrations of atoms, it will generally additionally move them.  And Virtual Football.

If someone from the middle ages were to see an automobile positioning without any creature pulling it, or observe likenesses and sounds coming from a television without any visible source, they might think that the automobile and television are themselves “alive.”  We, nonetheless, accustomed to engines and computers, view the automobile and television as inanimate “things” -- intelligently-designed “things,” but “things” notwithstanding.  Nanotechnology will probably lead to the formation of smart composites that modification shape and function in response to ecological conditions and user commands.  If we were to watch a futuristic vehicle that changes structure to go on land, in the air, or through water, or a robotic arm that reaches up within a patient’s vein to capture a blood clot, how will we view such things?  Would we view them as “alive” (like our middle age counterparts) or would we grow accustomed to nanotechnology items that alteration shape?

In the area of circuitry, more miniature is superior – less heat, greater speed, and bigger convenience.  Nanotechnology can surpass the size barrier in integrated circuit circuits by orders of magnitude.  Nanotech circuits will be tinier, lighter, more efficient, cooler, stronger, and faster than circuits made with top down production processes.  Nanotech circuits may be constructed from scratch, one atom at a time.  Alternatively, they could be built from crystalline nanotubes, nanowires, or nanocircles that are grown and then assembled.  Some day organic electronic components may even be grown using living techniques instead of crystalline formation or molecular-level creation.  And Nanolayers.

Nanotechnology furthermore has numerous uses in the generation, sending, preservation and transformation of energy. Generators comprised of a myriad of nano-level generators working together can create energy with higher efficiency than generators with larger scale subsets.  Nanoceramic insulation will generally reduce energy loss through sending wires and prolong battery life.  Nanomotors transform energy into motion with less friction than macro-scale motors.  Nanolubricants make larger scale motors more energy efficient.  Nanophotonic cells efficiently transform electricity to illumination or light into energy.  See additionally Virtual Reality.

Nanomedicine is the use of nanotechnology to biomedical research and the practice of health care.  Nanomedical products and services currently include: prevention, diagnosis, and healing of illness and injury; and enhancement of human physical and mental functioning.  For example, nanoparticles that locate and bind to cancer cells will generally be used to image and diagnosis cancer.  When these particles function as nanomedibots that release anti-cancer molecular compounds into the tissue or penetrate the tissue and deconstruct them mechanically, then they treat cancer.   Particles may additionally absorb infrared radiation which is converted to heat to ablate target (cancer) tissue. Finally, when administered prophylactically (as a nanovaccination) then they can furthermore function a preventative role.

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Invivo “labs on a chip” will likely: monitor body temperature, pulse, heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood flow, oxygenation, and glucose dimension; perform multiple tests for DNA matching; or encode pathogens, toxins, and cancerous cells.  In addition to monitoring body functions, implantable or prosthetic nanodevices will potentially furthermore restore or advance body function.  For example, polymers that modification structure in reaction to chemical or electrical stimuli may be used to create simulated muscle tissue.  Related InnovaLight.

Nanotechnology will generally also be used to partially repair neurological damage.  For example, it may improve the accuracy of cochlear implants that turn sound into electrical impulses and create light-activated implants in the retina to partially restore lost vision.  Also, biomemetic scaffolds can facilitate damaged nerves to regrow and reconnect.

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Nanotechnology might one day be able to produce nanomedibots that function like simulated white-blood cells – repairing tissue at a nanoscopic plane.   We have already said that nanocapsules might transport and release drugs.  They will likely also contain living tissue that release therapeutic agents, protecting the tissue from rejection or destruction by the host by camouflaging them from the host’s immune system.  Some day there may even be nanotech blood vessels for implantation in people with cardiovascular disease.  See additionally Dendritic Nanotechnologies Limited.

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