NanoTechnology: Fantasy Becoming Reality
Introduction to the Present
Current computer technology is expanding at such an astonishing rate that some skeptics would say that we are moving too fast to keep up with our own technology. Gordon Moore, founder of Intel, has disagreed with the skeptics until recently. In 1967 Moore introduced what came to be known as Moore’s Law.
Moore's Law is defined as “the prediction that the number of transistors that
can be placed in an integrated circuit of any given size will double every
18-24 months. That is why microprocessors and other integrated circuits become
cheaper and more efficient year by year.”
As can be seen in the graph below (courtesy of Intel Research),
Moore’s prediction has held true ever since its introduction, but there is now
uncertainty about what the future will hold (Downing, Covington, and Covington
310).
Future Dilemmas
The
microprocessor industry has now made it possible to place approximately 55
million transistors in a microprocessor with a method that reduces the size of
the most minuscule characteristics in the components to approximately 0.13
microns (“Intel Pentium 4 Processor”). “A
micron, short for micrometer, is one-millionth of a meter.” To get a general
idea of the nature in the size of these components, “a human hair is said to be
about 50 microns wide” (“Micron”). Microprocessor
industry professionals question the ability that current-manufacturing
processes could efficiently and inexpensively create electronic components
smaller than 0.1 microns. If they did
think of a practical method, the limits of physics would not allow the
transistors to function correctly. “At transistor dimensions of around 0.05
microns, the electrons begin to obey odd quantum laws, wandering where they're
not supposed to be” (Rotman 53). Therefore, the capability to minimize a
computer’s processor through enhanced modern methods will soon face
difficulties due to the set size of the atoms in the material. With the
exception of a drastic change in “microprocessor science,” the capability of
companies to “double the computing power of a chip every 18 months” might
weaken (Kanellos). Kanellos reinstates
from a study that “the physical limitations could be reached by 2017.”
Exploring Options: NanoTechnology
With these physical limitations approaching within the next two decades, scientists and engineers have been developing theories and experiments on a new level of technology called nanotechnology. “True nanotechnology” involves the creation of “machines” or components on the atomic level. This technology is actually not a new idea. It leads all the way back to December 1959 when U.S. physicist, Richard Feynman, presented his ideas that covered “the basic principles of nanotechnology” to the American Physical Society (Sparrow 188-189). He was the first scientist to suggest that devices and materials could someday be fabricated to atomic specifications: "The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom." Feynman also stated, “The problems of chemistry and biology can be greatly helped if our ability to see what we are doing, and to do things on an atomic level, is ultimately developed -- a development which I think cannot be avoided” (Feynman). It was not until recently that his ideas have become feasible enough to soon be reality. Feynman‘s early ideas of nanotechnology will soon broaden the horizons of science and change the way we live by aiding the technological advances in medicine, computing, and the environment.
NanoTechnology in Computers
It has been speculated that computers could be built on nanotechnology. These special computers would be completely unlike current computers. Instead of using actual electronics, they would use a complicated array of “atom-thick rods, sliding past each other” to imitate the binary logic of current transistors. To allow different outputs, molecules could be positioned on these “rods” to inhibit or permit their movement thus creating a logic gate similar to current integrated circuits (190). The rods will be made up of carbyne, a chain of carbon atoms linked by double and triple bonds. Although the shifting of these rods “is 100,000 times slower” than modern transistors, the logic signal needs only “to travel 1/1,000,000 as far” giving the rods a definite advantage (Wisz pars. 13).
These complex
computers would take centuries for a human to build one atom at a time. The solution to this problem would be to
build “nanoscopic machines, called assemblers that can be programmed to
manipulate atoms and molecules at will.”
In order to speed the process up other “nanomachines called replicators”
would have to be built to 
“build more assemblers.” With these “replicators” building
“assemblers” and vice versa, “assemblers” would be created at exponential rates
and would be able to work together to create structures in a far more
reasonable amount of time (Bonsor).
Advantages of Nanocomputers
After they have been atomically manufactured, “size and speed” would be two significant benefits of computers built on nanotechnology compared to standard PCs. The actual size of the individual parts would be greatly reduced, “at least 1000 times smaller,” compared to current computer components. With smaller parts, the time taken to process instructions would be decreased and might be so small that the time would not be able to be measured. Computers built on nanotechnology might continue to be dependent on standard electronics for devices requiring a great deal of power. However, the actual central processing unit may be infinitely quicker and more prevailing compared to normal computers (Sparrow 190).
Other Expected Devices in Nanocomputers
On
the other hand, microprocessors will not be the only devices that will be
improved in a computer. Hard drives and traditional memory may be replaced with
a single device called “molecular memories.” The dilemma with traditional
memory devices is that they do not have the capability to hold data after they
have been disconnected from electricity. This is why a computer has to go
through a “boot up” process each time it is started because it has to transfer
the operating system from a storage device, such as a hard drive, to the memory
device. A large-scale experiment conducted by Mark Reed, head of Yale
University’s electrical engineering department, proved that molecular memories
could store information “for more than 10 minutes after the power is shut off.”
Reed hopes to someday get this amount of time up to “several years” (Rotman
54-56).
“Molecular memories” may be able to hold “a million times” more data than the most prevalent current storage devices. This would then “make it possible to store the experiences of a lifetime in a gadget the size of a wristwatch” (53). Even though there are approximately 710 million dollars in the 2003 national budget for nanotechnology research as of February 4, 2002 (Roco) and the best engineers and government departments are working to develop a working model (Bonsor), Rotman states, “Even a simple computer made of molecular components is at least a decade away” (56).
Expanding Science
Nanotechnology will be intended to produce much more than computers. With nanomachines being able to create, recreate, or repair any object that is made of atoms, the possibilities of science will be nearly infinite. With this technology, we will basically be entering into a time where what used to be fantasy would become reality.
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|
Miniature gears or “nanogears” made
with individual atoms like the two in the picture on the left could be used
to provide the complex functionality of the nanomachines or other complex
nanodevices. |
Nanotechnology in the Field of Medicine
In the field of medicine and medical operations, pills, syringes, and scalpels may be replaced with nanomachines. Diseases and handicaps will be a part of the past. Nanomachines, “programmed to attack and reconstruct cancer cells” or other diseases, will be able to be placed in liquids that can be easily ingested. Nanomachines could even be programmed to perform extremely intricate surgeries, facial reconstruction, repair broken bones, or even recreate lost limbs “without leaving scars” (Bronsor). The sophisticated human brain is even in the reach of the powerful nanomachines. Since the structures of certain components of the brain are known, the repair of those components would not actually be that difficult. If this technology came to be, our lives would literally be changed by being able to live longer. Because the act of dying involves the deterioration of cells and certain “chemical imbalances,” nanomachines may be able to fight death as they would an illness and “youthful health may well be restorable” (Wisz pars. 18-19). There are possibilities that nanotechnology “could slow or reverse the aging process” (Bonsor; Sparrow 190). Due to the reliability, “nanomachines might even become permanent residents in our bodies” to ensure our perfect health (Sparrow 190).
Nanotechnology as a Key Role in
Environmental Restoration
Modern day “production and consumption patterns” do not balance out. As more people inhabit the Earth, more resources are used. With a “deteriorating natural resource base,” this creates an “increasing pressure on the environment.” This type of “increasing population pressure” also creates multiple forms of “pollution” that is catastrophic to the environment (Reijnders 1).
As a solution, nanomachines would play a dominating role in cleaning up and restoring our environment. They could be created to attach to and neutralize “chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) molecules” that are harmful to the ozone and to “transform oxygen in the upper atmosphere back into ozone” (Sparrow 190). With an excess of “300 billion tons” of carbon dioxide that will pollute the atmosphere, enough carbon will be provided “to build strong and lightweight housing for every family in a population of 10 billion.” Even this would only use approximately 5% of the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide. An abundance of resources could be produced without using any other natural resources from the earth (Wisz pars. 9). The water would be free of chemicals and other pollutions that are currently inserted to clean it and “oil spills could be cleaned up instantly” (Bonsor). These transformations could “become reality with nanomachines having the ability to pick out the toxic molecules one by one and converting them to harmless compounds” (Wisz pars. 10). Because most matter is composed of carbon, the world’s mass collection of trash could be used as raw material in creating other structures (pars. 9). In factories, objects will be able to be created from these raw materials and the need for harmful chemicals and other manufacturing processes that create pollution will no longer be necessary. All natural resources could be made instead of extracted from the ground and the rainforest could be restored since “cutting down trees may no longer be necessary” (Bonsor). “In theory, they could return the Earth’s environment to a pre-industrial state” (Sparrow 190).
Simplifying the Experimenting Process
In the development of nanomachines and other related nanotechnology devices, there will be many trial and error experiments conducted. In order to simplify these experiments, the first molecular nanotechnology company, Zyvex Corporation in Richardson, Texas, is developing a software simulation platform called Zyric. Zyric will be an “integrated engineering software framework” that is hoped to serve as a standard platform for nanotechnology simulations. The software should be able to simulate a quantum physics environment and contain data to integrate with “other engineering fields” such as biology and chemistry. It will greatly “accelerate the development and deployment of nanotechnology” with hopes to “establish an open standard” in development simulations. Zyric will also include the “interoperability and sharing of data” while providing a “common means of communication” on a “cross-platform component framework.” To extend its capabilities, multiple programming language support with the ability to add extensions will be included. “Zyric will be published as an open-source project under the GNU public license. A license exception will permit commercial interests to distribute proprietary extensions and applications integrated with Zyric” (Parker).
Possibilities for Concern
Many areas of concern already exist and more will be introduced as nanotechnology is developed. With the nearly infinite possibilities and extreme complexities of the nanomachines, scientists and engineers even question the possibilities of them to create total catastrophes. With nanomachines being unleashed into the atmosphere, many problems could be fixed, but if any errors occurred in the process, our atmosphere could be transformed into an unstable environment. The scientists and engineers have been trying to develop theories of how to stop these machines from reproducing with “limited life spans” or to deactivate them. Another scary situation would be in military warfare with their “potential as a weapon.” Nanomachines in war would represent chemical warfare in a way, covering any amount of area and being fatal to any life exposed to it. This technology could be “even more awesome than the nuclear bomb” (Sparrow 191).
Risk Management
In the interest of preventing these disastrous possibilities, the Foresight Institute is establishing certain evolving guidelines. The basics of these guidelines were developed during a 3-day workshop conducted February 19-21, 1999 on Molecular Nanotechnology (MNT) Research Policy Guidelines in cooperation with the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing (IMM). The resulting Foresight Guidelines include development principles and specific design guidelines intended to supply a foundation for the safe development of MNT. Since they are still under development, “the guidelines are not intended to cover every risk or potential abuse of the technology.” The guidelines will need to become satisfactorily specific that they can produce the foundation for “legally enforceable policies,” but future revisions shouldn’t become so restraining that the participating population would no longer follow the guidelines.
Accessibility to MNT end products of the development process should not be restricted unless this access poses a global security risk or it is the actual development design or technical documentation. “Accidental or willful misuse of MNT must be constrained by legal liability and, where appropriate, subject to criminal prosecution.”
The actual MNT development
principles and specific design guidelines consist of very simple, common sense
principles as: they must have an absolute dependence on an artificial fuel
source not found in nature; “replication systems should generate audit trails”;
“artificial replicators must not be capable of replication in a natural,
uncontrolled environment”; “any replicated information should be error free”; termination
dates should be programmed into devices, etc. Because our understanding of this
developing technology is evolving, and will continue to do so, the guidelines
will evolve with them representing our best understanding of how to ensure the
safe development of nanotechnology (Foresight
Institute and IMM).
Nanotechnology might bring much controversy in the United States. With all of the current controversy over using stem cells for DNA research, religious groups and fundamentalists would probably protest the technology that would create a nearly perfect world.
Conclusion
Even though nanotechnology is only emerging from its theoretical stage, if it becomes reality, many aspects of our lives will be changed in an extreme manner. Global dilemmas that have been deemed as impossible to resolve will have solutions. World hunger will be solved by “fabricating foods to feed the hungry” (Bonsor). Students will read about the depleting ozone, old methods of medicine, and surgery with scalpels in their history books. This new technology is very hard to envision as computers were to past generations, but until it is fully developed we will just have to be patient and see what the future brings.
Works Cited
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<http://www.foresight.org/Conferences/MNT9/Abstracts/Parker/index.html>.
Reijnders, Lucas. Environmentally Improved Production Processes and Products. The Netherlands: Kluwer, 1996.
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Rotman, David. “Molecular Computing.” Technology Review May/Jun. 2000: 52-58.
Sparrow, Giles. “Nanotechnology.” The Cutting Edge: An Encyclopedia of Advanced Technologies. New York: Oxford UP, 2000.
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