If it becomes stagnant in one place it is not science. Science is about exploration and exploration can never end in this universe. We haven’t even seen 10% of earth’s ocean, universe is a completely different story. Scientists continue to make discoveries and approaching various things from different angles. This allows them to make this world a better place, know more about the origin and purpose of universe and understand the billions of phenomena taking place in the universe. One unique way of dealing with things around us is by going deep down at the bottom and seeing things closely.
Nanotechnology is another face of science that deals with the same things we see around us but at a very zoomed-in level. Nanotechnology refers to the activities performed by scientists at nano level. While we are looking at things in terms of feet, meters and inches, these scientists will look at things at a size of 1 to 100 nanometers. Scientists and engineers working under the umbrella of nanotechnology and nano-science are discovering things by looking at them with special tools that allow them to look into these things by reaching down to nanometers. This way they are able to see atoms, molecules and super molecules.
The term nanotechnology clearly tells us that it is not all about discovering the working of atoms and molecules of a particular material at a nano-level. In fact, nanotechnology deals with engineering of these molecules and atoms as well. The engineers working with nanotechnology will mix two different materials at molecular level to find a new application of that material in the world. They might try to change the behavior of a semi-conductor by mixing other conductors or insulators with it at a nano-level. There are several products in the world that now see the application of nanotechnology.
Bulletproof jackets, sunscreens, bottled drinks, nanofixit screens, power tools, etc. are now examples of the application of nanotechnology and nano-engineering concepts. The most developed countries of the world are currently investing billions of dollars in the research work performed by nanotechnology scientists and engineers. Among the top investors in this field are the US, Japan and European Union. The application of nanotechnology is in almost any field you could think of including biotechnology, physics, chemistry, medicine, electronics etc. Consumer products are also the main target for nanotechnology engineers and scientists as they develop better products for worldwide consumers.
Just like other scientific researches, discoveries and experiments, nanotechnology faces the same dangers. The effects of working on materials at a molecular level have their risks on global environment. Current focus of nanotechnology is on improving the quality and end consumer products. For example, tennis balls containing several nano-particles can last longer than the tennis balls made with without using this technology. At the same time, newer bulletproof jackets that are being made with nano-particles in their construction are considered safer and more effective in stopping the damage of a bullet. Scientists are now working on almost all materials but at a nano-level majorly to improve the quality of these materials.