Nanotechnology – Its Possible Uses

It is an inherently multidisciplinary and emerging field that brings together physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and social sciences. It aims to understand, characterize, manipulate and exploit the physical characteristics of matter at the nanoscale to generate technological innovations, taking into account their social and environmental impact. It is a crucial technology that will bring the most significant development to the 21st century by giving rise to applications based on phenomena occurring at atomic scales (1 nanometre is one-millionth of a millimeter).

Food Industry – The application of this science in the food sector includes the creation of sensors and nanochips designed to guarantee the quality of the product and its safety, detecting from the level of freshness to the expiry date and shelf life.

Cosmetology – Nanotechnology could also offer a host of benefits in beauty and cosmetology, with the production of anti-wrinkle creams based on nanoparticles that could considerably improve the results obtained with their use.

Textile Industry – By incorporating electronic nanochips, a series of new properties could be obtained in fabrics such as stain repellency or even garments with self-cleaning and anti-odor systems. These “smart fabrics” would mean a considerable advance in the clothing market.

The US, Brazil, and Germany will lead the nanotech industry by 2024, with a significant presence in the Top 15 in Asian countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, India, Taiwan, and Malaysia. . Right now, we are in the first generation of nanomaterials. Still, there will be a third and fourth generation, where we will truly see nanotechnology’s full potential. So its application could be far greater than we dare to dream of today. Moreover, it is almost a given that it will be combined with other emerging technologies; for example, nanorobotics will become more evident.

Nanotechnology is arguably at an early stage, but we do not doubt that it will boom in the coming years. All indications are that it will complement and challenge the technologies we already know and future ones. It will also have a notable impact on the design of the devices we use daily. Its applications may be very positive, but it may also have disadvantages arising from the relatively recent emergence of this branch of science and technology:

• Molecular nanotechnology is such a breakthrough that its impact could become comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Still, with one notable difference, it will be felt in a matter of a few years, with humanity’s danger being unprepared for the risks that such an impact entails.
• The power of nanotechnology could be the cause of a new arms race between two competing countries. The production of weapons and spying devices could cost much more.
• Major unfavorable changes in the economy.
• It could cause significant damage to the environment.
• The administration’s attempt to control these and other risks could lead to overly rigid regulation, which in turn would create demand for a black market that would be both dangerous and unstoppable because it would be so easy to traffic small and hazardous products such as nanofactories.
• There are many severe risks of various kinds to which the same type of response cannot always be applied.
• Simple solutions will not succeed. It is unlikely that this situation’s correct response will be found without first entering into a careful planning process.