Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of matter at microscopic levels, using engineering, chemistry and biology techniques in combination with one another to develop products which are significantly smaller than their traditional counterparts.
Richard Feynman popularized the term 'nanotechnology' in 1959 with his understanding that by employing advanced microscopes and other tools, materials could be created on an unprecedented small scale.
At first, this seemed an enormous task; but after initiating work on it, several fields have since experienced significant breakthroughs.
Scientists' access to microscopy has opened up many exciting research possibilities and has also led to the invention of groundbreaking materials and products that would otherwise have been impossible.
Nanoparticles have many applications in medicine. For instance, they can help deliver targeted doses of drugs directly into a patient's bloodstream to enhance treatment effectiveness while simultaneously decreasing unnecessary medication needs.
Additionally, this technology is also being employed in agriculture and environmental conservation. A joint team from Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have created nanoparticles which self-assemble on demand and change shape with ease.
As well as serving as "nano-scale" sensors, microsensors are capable of identifying chemicals, bacteria and other microorganisms that could potentially cause disease or damage.
These sensors can help identify harmful contaminants found in water, air and soil sources - providing the opportunity to avoid or manage problems more efficiently.
Water purification systems can also help reduce pollution, filtering out toxins and viruses much more rapidly than existing alternatives.
Nanotechnology promises to transform manufacturing. As a result, we should expect more automation within factories and industries, saving both energy and time in operations.
However, some concerns exist regarding this technology's potential negative impacts. One such risk involves particles escaping their intended use and polluting the environment while being utilized inappropriately in other applications.
Avoiding these issues requires keeping tabs on what products are produced and their usage; this will ensure only environmentally-friendly solutions are being created.
Nanotechnology's influence can be felt across many fields, from medicine and engineering to military applications and communication. As an emerging industry with multiple uses and applications, its impact is felt deeply across society.
