Nanotechnology revolution
Dr Ali Mohammad
Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the nanoscale.
Traditionally, the nanoscale has been defined as involving miniscule
particles that measure between 1 and 100 nanometers where one nanometer
is equivalent to 10-9 meters or smaller than 1/10,000 of the thickness
of the average human hair! Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field,
which involves physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine.
Still newer, more efficient methods are being developed which will rely
on the creation of sophisticated biomaterials. However, the challenge
lies in interfacing these biomaterials with existing technologies, and
creating the required infrastructure needed for mass manufacture.
Nanotechnology manufacturing has a promise of producing new materials a
hundred times stronger than steel, and more efficient and cheaper to
produce as compared to the existing production techniques. Mind boggling
examples of some of these products include: very small devices that can
be implanted under the skin, and pincers that can be injected in the
veins to perform medical procedures; self - contained portable factories
ready to make cheap products efficiently at the molecular scale; and
development software that can process enormous amounts of data involving
diverse sources of science.
Other benefits may include: 1. Molecular manufacturing would greatly
reduce water requirements, and also cheaply run greenhouses would be a
means of saving water, land, and food. 2. The efficient and inexpensive
generation of electricity, using solar and thermal power, will make
electric power available to basically everyone in the world. 3. Faster,
cheaper, and more powerful computers will be available that could help
improve information and communication systems even in the remotest
areas. 4. Manufacturing of new technologies will be self - contained and
clean, and will have less of an environmental impact. 5. Cheap and
advanced equipment for medical research and health care will make
improved medicine widely available. It will be feasible to restore human
organ engineered tissue while simple products will greatly reduce
infectious diseases prevailing in many parts of the world. 6.
Nanotechnology will enhance capabilities in space ventures and
operations.
However, while nanotechnology has a promise of great benefits to the
future, there are some very serious risks. Imagine, for example, weapons
that could be packed in a small match box, but carrying enough lethal
material that is capable of wiping out the entire population of a major
city. Other risks include: 1. The stakeholders — manufacturers,
salesmen, and marketing agencies — will have to revise their investment
plans to survive involving tens of trillions of dollars spent on
everything from basic necessities to communication devices, recreation,
and our environment. Huge monopolies, command over unprecedented wealth,
and control of employment and product prices, enjoyed by the
manufacturers could lead to anti-competitive practices and Schumpeterian
creative destruction — the process by which a new product, or new
production techniques, replace existing products and techniques
resulting in the replacement of one monopolist by another. 2. Criminals
and terrorists equipped with stronger, more powerful, and more compact
devices can cause unimaginable harm to society.
Deadly chemical and biological weapons with remote - control devices
will be easier to conceal. Moreover, black market and “home factory”
operations in manufacturing and marketing of these products could
flourish. The government agencies could use supercomputers for constant
surveillance that could lead to abuse of individual freedom. 3. From the
military point of view, nanotechnology weapons are more dangerous then
nuclear weapons and, therefore, could further destabilize the world. For
examples: Lighter and high - performing aerospace hardware will be much
harder to spot on radar systems.Embedded computers and improved robots
would allow remote activation of any weapon. Moreover, they can be
developed much more rapidly due to faster, cheaper prototyping. Reduced
ability of powerful nations to “police” the international arena.
In sum, the emerging technologies are capable of fundamentally
transforming science, technology, and society. They can revolutionize
human life and the consumption patterns. Moreover, they can have great
implications for the economy, the society, social infrastructure, the
environment, ethical and legal systems, and war and peace. On the other
hand, some of these developments could be dangerous to stability and
peace while others technologies could threaten the very existence of the
human race. Also, tremendous opportunities for huge profits may lead to
large - scale fraudulent practices. Most importantly, declarations or
regulations may not have much effect on covert programs that are
intended to develop products for military uses. Thus, it is imperative
that all nations cooperate in finding effective solutions, which take
into consideration the needs and sensitivities of the rich and the poor
alike.
For Pakistan, it is crucial that its policy - makers, scientists, and
industry must understand the implications of nanotechnological
developments on the country’s security and prosperity. The Pakistani
nation must not miss an opportunity for developing useful nano products
for the future generations. The leadership must develop a clear R & D
policy towards nano technology in various fields from agriculture to
electronics, from consumers’ products to defense uses, from searching
water and mineral resources deep down in the earth to exploring outer
space, and from medical uses to advanced engineering feats. On their
part, multidisciplinary teams, professional societies and organizations,
industry, and educational institutions must work not only in the
development process but also to inform and educate the general
population about scientific developments and social and economic impact
of nanotechnology. These institutions must also provide the students
with ample experience in nanoscale fabrication, manipulation, and
characterization techniques. |
