Medical Nanotechnology by Frank Vanderlugt

Medical Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been strongly connected in areas of research involving biophysics relating to repairing damage to the nervous system. Where nanotechnology may be of invaluable assistance in the future is in the repair of spinal cord damage as well as providing an effective method for repairing cells in the brain that have been damaged.

The particular facet of nanotechnology that will deal with repairing injuries to the human body will be the production of nanomachines. This form of the technology represents the development of miniature devices or their components that can perform sensory acts within the most sensitive areas of the human body and their actuation.

The human body has carried out certain acts of self repair through the chemical or biological actuation. One example is the molecular motors, for example kinesin, that serve both as an actuator as well as carrying vital threads of information through the nervous system to the brain. Researchers in the subject are enthusiastic in the thought that man made nanomachines will be capable of repairing

Although there are no manmade nanomachines to perform tasks that impact our daily life, non man-made nanomachines already exist in the form of biological cells and the chemical processes within those cells. For example, molecular motors, such as modifying DNA to produce new functionality where cells have been damaged and to interact with human biological systems as well as other artificial nanotechnology applications.

In the long term it is hoped that that capability will exist to extend nanomachines to a level that will allow them to carry out the most complex of tasks. It is feasibility possible, scientists feel, to implant miniscule nanomachines inside the human nervous systems that can communicate with each other and cooperate in the operation of certain functions within the body that had been irreparably damaged.

The development of communication technology at the nano-scale and the utilization of the available biological molecules will allow microscopic lithography of the human body, at levels previously unimaginable.

As well as repairing some of the most vital functional aspects of the human body that have been damaged in accidents or in wars Nanotechnology is widely expected to herald a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.

Currently the miniaturization of equipment involved in the accurate diagnosis of the presence and extent of cancer in some of the more sensitive areas of the human body has become fairly commonplace in the Western World. This has led to the reduction of the need for considerably invasive forms of diagnostical treatment. As well as the treatment of cancer in forms where it is still localized.

Sadly, if the cancer has spread, then the patient has to face surgery in its most invasive forms, invariably followed by a course in chemotherapy or radiation therapy bringing with them all the well known and unpleasant side effects. Nanotechnology is expected to put an end to this highly unwelcome phenomenon, through the injection of targeted drugs into the areas affected by cancerous cells.

Researchers foresee the loading of gold nanoparticles that are cancer detecting into the human body in the areas where the cancer cells are specifically located. This treatment will attack only the cancerous cells whilst leaving the healthy cells totally intact, an option not available with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

About the Author

frank j vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.nanotechnology-2007.com Nanotechnology

Why Nanotechnology? by Najib Altawell

Introduction

Researching an area related to Nanotechnology can lead to new fields of technology and discovery. Examining the overall subject of Nanotechnology can certainly lead us beyond the original expectations. You can look at Nanotechnology as a whole, compare the results across large areas of research in this field that have involved different people with different backgrounds, various institutes and various organisations, as well as the results of commercial businesses already dealing and working in this field.

Many of the results would be unexpected and, consequently, would raise large numbers of questions with various possible answers; in a field many still consider merely a part of scientific research rather than a part of the actual engineering and commercial side.
Consequently, the general view related to Nanotechnology has been borne out here as a result of what has been done and achieved so far worldwide, out of genuine conviction that Nanotechnology is the way forward for a better future for everyone concerned.

The Importance of Nanotechnology

Consider the question: "Why should Nanotechnology work better than any other form of technology?" The answer can be very simple. When we understand the structure of matter, then we can manipulate it and control it "from the inside", which should give much better results than just dealing with matter "from the outside".

How can it be concluded that Nanotechnology is the answer, when we still do not either have the means to use it in commercial environments, or have fast, accurate and cheap ways of applying it? Perhaps this is partly a matter of belief. But, at the present time, much work and research across the globe is aimed at just that, i.e. at building the basis of what will be needed (now or later) in order to provide fast, accurate and cheaper ways of employing the principles of Nanotechnology.

The study of the basic principles of Nanotechnology, its future implications and its benefits, made it desirable to put a case forward for substantial undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in this field, as an essential part in speeding up the acceptance of this kind of technology among the general public and, more importantly, to provide a nanotechnologist educated elite for various industries and businesses.

As is very well known, in any technology, no work is complete without the demonstration of the practical applications and the huge benefits which can be provided. Thus, research, development and engineering of various tools related to Nanotechnology are vital in order that a steady commercial progress can take place alongside the present scientific research.

Teaching Nano-science and Nanotechnology

Obviously, for Nanotechnology to establish itself and become an important complete taught subject similar to any other science and technology subjects being taught today, a regular awareness programme should be launched and syllabuses should be compiled.

Nanotechnology teaching is lagging far behind Nanotechnology research. This is due to a number of reasons, but possibly the most significant "among many" is that Nanotechnology looks important mostly to commerce and defence. Large commercial companies do not want to be left behind and, therefore, were among the first to start their own research in this field. Also, Nanotechnology-related research in security and defence plays a large role in countries that have the infrastructure and the money to advance the technology for their own purposes.

Applications

In olden times, "Philosophy" was described as the mother of every science. "Nanotechnology" can now be easily described as the mother of engineering. For the above reason, when it comes to the type and number of applications which may be addressed by Nanotechnology, then the answer is that there is no limit simply because Nanotechnology deals with the inner structure i.e. dealing with atoms and molecules as the starting point for all kind of applications which can be used in our daily lives.

Practical Training and Future Tools

The future of Nanotechnology tools, recent research and development has brought onto the scientific scene the next generation of methods and tools that will allow us to understand and explore the nano-world in a much better way than we are able to do at present. With these new methods and tools, we will be able to gain a better insight into the collective behaviour of molecules and atoms. For example, a combination of STEM and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) can enable us to look deeper into aspects of the self-assembly process at a surficial level.

Another design related to Nanotechnology tools is the "Interfacial Force Microscope (IFM)", which has the ability to simultaneously measure lateral and normal forces, regardless whether there is a repulsive or attractive load.

Other important areas of research and development concern Nanotechnology tools (such as robotic arms and nano-tube tweezers) that have as their main purpose the moving of molecules from one location to another. The size of these tools needs to be reduced and computer technologies should be developed further to become an essential part of the above processes and applications.

There is no doubt that Nanotechnology will be the common technology of the "not too distant" future, but only for those who are ready to invest their time, effort and money. This can be done in the form of teaching Nanotechnology, applying it to various industries and businesses and making people familiar with it, especially the young generation.

The USA has done a lot in this field; they have even introduced Nanotechnology as a subject for a number of schools. The hope that the rest of the world will do the same, and may be do even more, will no doubt bring the benefit much earlier for those working in this field and hopefully share it with the rest of the world.

Najib Altawell

Altawell © 2008

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About the Author

Najib Altawell has written a number of short stories and poems, both for adults and children. As an artist, he has produced varieties of oil painting and water colour pictures, as well as illustrations for a children book. As a researcher in science and engineering, he has written a number of articles related to Nanotechnology, Electronic Sensors (eNose) and Biomass Energy - plus, various additional topics; some are related to the field o

Nanotechnology: A Process of Evolution by John Thompson

Anyone that realizes that nanotechnology news and the headlines related to nano news are ever-changing, also must realize that nanotechnology is a field that is under the process of a rapid evolution. There are many new nanotechnology jobs currently opening up and anyone currently pursuing the study of Nanoscience is assured that there will be plenty of nano jobs in the future.

New facilities and scientific teams are being established and assembled all the time, and the more advances that are made in the field of nanotechnology, the more promising the nano jobs outlook will be. Nano news headlines will continue to evolve as the field of nanotechnology evolves and reveals the endless discoveries and inventions being created by nanotech researchers from all over the world.

We need to be clear about the difference between Nanoscience and nanotechnology before we begin to note all of the advances being made in the field. First, Nanoscience is simply the study of nanostructures, while nanotechnology is the implementation and application of such understandings in various industries throughout the world. In the nanotechnology field, new students of Nanoscience will be entering into the industry in search of nano jobs that match their level of skill and educational focus. This shouldn't be a problem however as the food, medical, space, cosmetic, and electronic industries are turning to the use of nanotechnologies to improve upon industry operations, manufacturing, and processing.

The word Nanotechnology is making it on nanotechnology news headlines nearly every day. More universities are offering coursework and programs specifically for the pursuit of Nanoscience studies; this is to address the future demand for nanotech researchers and this is a positive sign for those seeking nanotechnology jobs, both now and in the future.

Students of Nanoscience will primarily focus on the study of nanostructures and how such structures can be manipulated. When moving into the field of nanotechnology and working in various nanotechnology jobs, nano researchers will usually deal with two chief forms of nanotechnology: bottom up and top down nanotechnologies. The latter forms of nanotechnology refer to the directional operation of such workings; Top down nanotech work involves the miniaturization of structures while the bottom down nanotechnology field focuses on the enlargement of various structures.

So why are so many industries opening up new avenues for nano research, nanotechnology jobs, and development? If someone notes the latest nanotechnology news headlines it isn't too difficult to surmise; many of the advances in nanotech research are proving to benefit industries by helping them save money in production and manufacturing arenas.

Cost saving processes of manufacturing are being continuously developed through nanotechnologies, and both industries and consumers are benefiting from the discoveries. New avenues of nanotech research are also paving inroads in the medical industries as innovative health treatments, diagnostic equipments and methods, and better treatments are being discovered as well. Since recent advances have exhibited a positive effect for industries and consumers, there is a push for more advances in the field of nano research.

Developments in nanotechnology are currently exhibiting a certain potential for aiding humanity and changing the world in which we live too. Nano research is being conducted presently that can be used in energy conversation efforts, as well as in filtering water so that people can have access to fresh, clean water in areas of the world where pure water is a true commodity.

Thus, nanotechnology news will, undoubtedly, soon be revealing headlines about world wide use of nanotechnology. Those individuals interested in the future developments in the field of nanotech research need to monitor the headlines closely as new nano news emerges. It will allow those seeking nanotechnology information to remain informed, and current as far as an awareness about the latest developments as well as some of the existing controversy that surrounds the emerging discoveries in this exciting field.

About the Author

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