Nanotechnology: past, present, and future applications

Nanotechnology is the predictable capability to form things from the base level by the application of the tools and methods that are being devised presently to set each of the atoms and molecules in its desire place. When such type of development is accomplished in the sphere of molecular engineering, that seems likely, it gives rise to manufacturing revolution. (Introduction to Nanotechnology) We are required to concentrate on this meticulously and on the potential scopes and risks involved in it.

Intro to Nanotechnology-past, present, future, benefits, drawbacks

Past

Richard Feynman, an imminent Nobel Prize winning physicist gave a renowned speech in the year 1959 disagreeing that the laws of physics do not control man's capacity to control single atoms and molecules. He explained an apparition for building materials using a bottom-up, rather than a top-down, approach. This idea of setting atoms exactly where we want, just as a potato knows how to place the atoms from the nearby dirt, water, and air to form itself instead of cutting down wood, combining metal, casting plastic, or making the newest computer chip by engraving an ever-finer circuit out of silicon is almost on the brink of fulfillment. (Uldrich, 12) the scientific society around the world is talking in gleaming terms about the capability of the tiny technology of the single-walled nanotubes, which were found in the early 1990s. With a width of about 10 hydrogen atoms aligned, nanotubes are self-generated from an electrical discharge involving electrons. (Schick, 44)

The man who first laid out the multifaceted possibility of nanotechnology with his 1986 book Engines of Creation to a well-liked spectator was Eric Drexler. (Thompson, 6) While making the concept of 'nanotechnology' familiar, Eric Drexler was discussing about creating machines as small as molecules, having width of a few nanometers, motors, robot arms and even the entire computer physically smaller than a cell. Drexler then engaged for the next decade narrating and analyzing such amazing tools and countering the indictments of science fiction. Simultaneously the general technology was imbibing adequate competency to construct simple structures on a molecular scale. While the nanotechnology is being an agreeable terminology, it was reformulated to mean the simple types of nanometer-scale technology. With a view to funding such type of nanotech the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative was instituted. (Introduction to Nanotechnology)

Present

The systems which are needed for achieving the objectives of nanotechnology are picking up the pace. (Uldrich, 12) the possible insinuations of nanotechnology, the science of controlling matter at the atomic and molecular level, have been judged against with the Industrial Revolution. At present it is one of the best growing fields of research in many fields like electronics, medicine and information technology. (Winner, 111) in the most recent years, scientists have commenced with one significant improvement after another in nanotechnology and science fiction has slowly been revolving into science fact. Almost every month new articles appear in the main scientific magazines and university research departments are starting to fill with aficionados. Chemist Paul Alivisatos at the University of California, Berkeley, says that, 10 years ago, he was the lone person in his department functioning on nanotech; but at present about 30% of the department is performing it. It is at present too problematic and costly to use these nanotubes to make innovative structures from the ground up, but we are not faraway from being proficient to combine them with, for example, the materials presently used to make airplane wings. It is also quite probable that, in 10 or 15 years, we may be talented to make use of something like Smalley's molecules to make complete airplane wings or wide scale power systems based on molecular solar panels that take up only a minute portion of the space required for such systems today. (Thompson, 5)

Future

Molecule-sized machines can provide a multitude of wonderful advantages from organ restoration to habitat reinstatement. (Schick, 44) the insinuations are wide and traverse many different conventional industries. The chance for molecular computing is offered by nanotechnology. Devices will be so tiny that they will be incorporated into anything that includes our body's cells too. All objects will turn out to be chips or passively chip-like as a minimum. With regard to domestic devices, they will turn into real-time smart devices. For instance, a temperature sensor fixed to a frying pan will be replaced by an auto-sensor wherein the whole pan will turn out to be a sensor and it can produce its own heat, as is the case of a 'smart' device. (Jones, 73) in some future date, these can substitute human beings as the planet's leading power. Many advances were made in the last few years in the direction of the vision of achieving machines that control matter at the level of molecules. Molecular machines are a part of nature for a quiet a long time. At the simplest level, plants and animals are groups of such nanomachines. DNA, RNA and the enzymes that aid in the duplication and restoration of cells and in the production of proteins are the most famous of these nanomachines. Manmade molecular machines already exist and they are mainly used as antibiotics to deal with disease organisms. If man can build a new nanomachine that can do what DNA and its related enzymes are doing, that is a real advancement. (Roland, 23)

The capability to manoeuvre matter to the exact level of atoms will definitely go a long way in varying the economic, ecological, and cultural structure of our lives. (Crandall, 17) Nano-based microelectrical mechanical systems, actuators, sensors and mirrors will come up at the level of devices. Some suggest that the nanatechnology will ultimately do what the chips are doing, like producing PCs that operate billions of times faster. (Schick, 45) as nanotechnology is tiny, it will lead to dramatic change in the manner we live and use products. Distinctive unforeseen actions will happen due to the inherent nature of nano-materials. Additionally, with nano materials we can do things hitherto not possible at all, like inserting them inside living cells with no disturbance to the functioning of the cells. Nanotechnology will transform materials. (Jones, 73) Nanoscience and nanotechnology will be fundamental to the next era of the information age, and will be as innovatory as science and technology at the micron scale have been since the early 1970's. (Crandall, 133) Thus, nanotechnology can certainly be the upcoming technology. (Schick, 45)

Benefits

The Nanotechnology was expected to develop efficacy in all spheres of life. The Nanotechnology is also mostly referred to a general-purpose technology. It is due to the fact that in its fully grown form it is expected to influence almost all the industries and all the fields of the society. It extends better construction, durability, security and smartness to the home use products with regard to communications, medicine, transportation, agriculture and for industry in general. The most important feature of the nanotechnology is that it not only provides better products but also a vast improved means of production. A computer generates copies of data files-mostly as many copies as is desired at little or no additional cost. The manufacturing of the products are to be so cheaper like copying of the files. What matters simply is some more time. That is considered to be a valid meaning of nanotechnology and often visualized to be the next industrial revolution. (Introduction to Nanotechnology)

The nanotechnology not only permits making so many high-quality products at a lower cost however, it will facilitate generating new nano-factories at the similarly lower costs and at the equal rapid rate. The nanotechnology is also termed as the exponential technology due to its exceptional efficacy in regenerating its own means of production. It stands to be a manufacturing system that is capable of making more manufacturing systems-in a quickly, cheaply and transparent manner. The factors of production is capable of being reproduced multiply as a result of which there is every possibility that the few existing nanofactories now could result in billions of them within a matter of few weeks. (Introduction to Nanotechnology)

3. Commercial Applications of Nanotechnology

The application of the nanoscience in the field of medical sciences is considered to have great prospects entailing several potential advantages to the humanity. Some field of nanoscience has the objective of getting lessons from the biological nanosystems while others are concentrating on the assimilation of the organic and inorganic at the nanoscale. Research is going on to explore the possibility of its application in several other applications. The implants and prosthetics are considered the pioneering fields in this series. The emergence of new materials and the efficacies of nanotechnologies and biotechnologies made it possible to generate artificial organs and implants that are equivalent to the original through the growth of cells on artificial or biosynthetic coatings that enhances the biocompatibility and decline the rejection. This may involve the retinal, cochlear and neural implants, repair of the damaged nerve cells and substitute of corrupted skin, tissue or bone. (Commercial Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine and Health)

The second filed of its application is diagnostics. Inherent to the MEMS - the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, laboratory on a chip technology for quicker diagnosis that entails less of the sample is being devised in combination with micro-fuidics. It is anticipated that the common personal health monitors may also be developed with its application. The development in both genomics and nanotechnology are prone to energize the sensors that resolve the genetic make-up quickly and precisely, increasing the knowledge of the predisposition of the people to genetic related diseases. Lastly, the drug delivery system will exploit the development of nanotechnology. With nano particles the drugs may effectively be accorded better solubility giving rise to better absorption. Moreover, the drugs are to contain within a molecular carrier, either for its protection from stomach acids or to regulate the release of the drug to a particular targeted area declining the side-effects. Clinical or pre-clinical trials on such drugs have already been initiated as per the stringent regulatory essentialities for new pharmaceuticals. The cost of generation as a result of this are sometimes high and the consequences of research often are quite confined. (Commercial Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine and Health)

Already the nanoparticles have been grouped into commercial products. Endo points out that most people consider skin-treatment products as lotions or creams or sticky products that stay on the skin. But we can in fact devise micro-powder to pierce and deliver skin benefits straightly upon application using technology at the nano-level. The little silicon, zinc and carbon molecular products of biomimetic procedures are bustling through the boardrooms of cosmetic giants like L'Oreal, Shiseido and Kose, bringing earnings to them. (Nakada, 15) for instance, nano-sized granules of titanium dioxide are used in sun creams prepared by BASF and L'Oreal. It is translucent and absorbs ultraviolet light and so the skin does not look as if it is coated with chalk. (Ball, 5) L'Oreal's Lancme Resurface anti-wrinkle cream makes use of an original nanocapsule procedure developed at the company's European lab to include vitamin a inside a polymer capsule. The capsules works like a mop that drenches and seizes the product inside till the outer shell melts. (Nakada, 14)

These compounds are so minute and are just 200 nanometers; they do not stay on the surface of the skin but go down into it right through the pores. Currently Lancome products Primordiale Intense and Hydra Zen Serum are also applying biomimetic procedures. For instance, Primordial Intense nanocapsules, are filled with Vitamin a, wheat germ, sunflower seed extracts and honey. The dispensing prospective of Fullerenes, which makes you handsome both inside as well as outside is the stimulation for beauty and health researchers. Noted for their similarity to Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes, these closed carbon molecules are one bold new expectation to provide life-saving medicines directly into unhealthy tissue. The database for nanotechnology applications is widened by the research carried out by cosmetic companies. The present day smooth skin could mean tomorrow's life-saving medical system. (Nakada, 14)

In covering it is growingly accepted hat the nanotechnology will have significant application to the areas across paper, packaging and printing. The Nanomaterials are visualized to be applied for Longer shelf-life - improved barrier properties, absorbing compounds, UV absorbers, chemical fixers, anti-oxidants; Hot-fill -improved temperature performance; flexible packaging -thin films; functionality - anti-counterfeit, anti-tamper, anti-microbial sensors, integrated power. The packaging of nano-composites is expected to have extensive application in respect of Gas barriers; Oxygen barriers; food packaging and films. The application of nano barcodes is seen for track and trace film electronics for the purpose of sensory packaging. The nanotechnology is used in the paper industry in the production process as well as in the material itself. There is a wide variation in the packaging and printing industry with: application of nanoscale pigments in respect of inks; nanomaterials to generate color with out the application of dyes or traditional pigments and; development of the competing systems, i.e. nanomaterial electronic display systems capable of paper quality. (Nanotechnology in packaging)

In the field of mobile telephones, nanomaterials and nanoelectronics is expected to influence optics, acoustics, displays, antennas, batteries, sensors, actuators, paints and coating. The nanotechnology will assist the generation of color-varying plastics and self-healing materials that presents and better surface, flame retardation, chemical conflict, thermal stability and recyclables. The telephones utilise nanobiotechnology for the function of sensing, actuating and power. The carbon embedded nanotubes-based displays are considered to be larger, brighter and cost effective. The Nanoscale fractal antennas assist the phones to apply multiple spectra and broadband. The high capacity nanopower sources like advanced fuel cells and photonic energy will make it possible for better energy storage and conversion. (Grace, 6)

4. An intro to potentially successful Nanotechnology Companies

With the help of nanotechnologies, companies are developing products ranging from clothing and sunscreen to high-tech computer parts and complicated medical devices. (Bailey; Lattimore, 36) While taking into consideration the nanotechnology, most of the industry is thinking of taking up some activity in this sphere. Ever since the last decade the electronic industry is seen to have applied the potentialities of the tools of nanotechnology for generating the high performance computer chips. Recently the biotech companies have initiated enhancing the same instruments for diagnosing and treating the disease. Presently the food industry is looking towards nanotechnology while it is searching of innovations that entail secured, healthier, and tastier products to the public. During 2000, the Kraft Foods, stationed in Northfield, Ill., initiated to support one of the most determined efforts in the application of nanotechnology to food research and development. Commonly termed as the NanoteK consortium, the project included members that incorporated researchers from 15 universities, 3 national labs, and 3 start-up companies.

By extending financial support in the field of research in nano-technology, the multibillion dollar food industry is anticipated to evolve a set of smarter and more personalized food products. (Goho, 43) IBM, the $70-billion-a-year behemoth, has already come into the field. (Grace, 7) L'Oreal, the global industry giant has emerged as an early adopter of nanotechnology in cosmetics. Keiko Hirata from Nihon L'Oreal's Lancome marketing department reports that they first launched nanotechnology product in 1998. Company researchers tried out with 350 formulas and performed 2,500 tests before arriving at the end product. As per a prediction by a Japanese business organization, Nippon Keidanren, the domestic market for nanotechnology could reach yen 2.4 trillion by 2005, with an expected jump to yen 27.3 trillion by 2010. Research is being done on nanotechnology applications by other national and global cosmetic houses. (Nakada, 15)

Nanosys, one among the top most Nanotechnology companies generates nanotechnology-enabled systems that applied in molecular sensing, optoelectronics, and nanoelectronics is largely successful in this respect. Nanosys, being founded by the CEO Larry Bock is considered to be one of the largest corporations in the field of nanotechnology and they are quite reluctant to reveal its strategies and pioneer efforts in entering the market, however has shown significant achievement in the sphere of nanometer transistors that will thus enable a new generation of computer chips. Moreover, another company in such fields, Hybrid Plastics, a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory bi-product has made remarkable progress in devising of revolutionary plastic technology out of sand that is extremely strong, efficient and do not entail air pollution in the process of production. The product is being utilized by various customers involving optical, computing and electronics and beauty corporations. The Chemat Technology, INC, considered to be a survivor of the government funded research and development has become a profitable business in 2000, a decade since the inception of sol-gel-based company. The objective is the generation and commercialization of sol-gel based advanced materials and technologies, for its own application and to support its customers with technologies that they apply to generate leading-edge products with application of advanced materials. (Top 10 Nanotechnology Companies)

Caltech-UCLA byproduct, Luxtera's product is based on Caltech developments in the field of nanophotonics. Such technology is relied upon the optical structures those are an order of magnitude smaller then those conventionally used in integrated optical devices. Such technology thus declines the cost of optical electronic movements and optoelectronic systems. Broadly-James is another nano-technology and has established itself successfully in entering into the biotech-pharmaceutical market this is an industry that has enhanced the production severely and thus generated strong market potential. Nanodevices, are considered to be another company in such industry presently engaged in the shipment of its Active Probe ™ technology in respect of the Digital Instruments, Veeco Metrology NanoScope® IV. NanoDevices disclosed their products EasyTube ™ NanoFurnace in November 2001 as a measure to strengthen the research in the field of nanotube. This company has been taken over by NanoGram Devices Corp. Another subsidiary of Caltech, Insert Therapeutics generated a non-viral, non-toxic, intracellular delivery system for small molecule drugs and genes.

Similarly the Rockwell Scientific, a nanotechnology-based company is regarded as the most significant research and development labs concentrated on a varied range of innovative technologies that has been modified to devise a portfolio of technology and intellectual property that is applied to several fields. Cyrano considered as another successful venture is taking advantage of the value that is revealed by the efficacies of digitalization, archive and analyze smell and to extend the low cost chemical information. The products of the Cyrano are considered to be a sensory range of technology that entails revolution capability to radically change the scents into digital 'smellprints' through a small, cheaper NoseChip™. Gnefludics is regarded as a bio-focused nanotech company, since its inception before two years of the efforts of scientists and researchers at UCLA, engaging itself in the production of cutting-edge devices to bring radical changes in the field of molecular analysis. The enhanced functionality and capabilities of the disposable unit will be besieged for applications in pharmaceutical and life science research. (Top 10 Nanotechnology Companies)

5. An intro to Nanotechnology companies' Business Models

The companies are presently in search of the possibilities to enhance the prospective of the technology. (Bailey; Lattimore, 38) the basic goal of the most business organisations is to generate wealth for their shareholders. This is typically attained through business models that promote rapid revenue creation, along with royalties from licensing, and other means of enhancing the share price. While the management primarily concentrates on the development of technology at the elimination of other business activities that can generate revenue, at some particular moment the cash reserves will decline and the company will be at the stake of being dissolved. Such process has been illustrated by the biotech boom prior to a decade. Most of the companies were found successful at enhancing the investment dollars to enhance technology, but too few had promoted business models that transformed technology into revenue generating commercial uses irrespective of in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical devices or agricultural products. This observation was quite evident that during an investment panel at a biotech conference in 2002 where the varied biotech investors had expected the degeneration of about 30 to 70% of companies in their portfolios in the coming three to five years. (Crandall, 142)

It is worth finding out the reason for this. They are just performing technology and there is not business model. The question is as to how many nanotech pure plays will confront similar fate. Whether, it is possible for the firms to be designated as nanotech companies within the next five or 10 years. The nanotechnology is not regarded as a separate industry on its own, however, constitute a series of advanced technologies that greatly promotes products, services and processes in the prevailing industries. To give effect to the transformation, it is to be ensured that the business plan is inconsonance with the real markets and it has also the appropriate resources and partnership so as to give it effect to. (Crandall, 142) Nanotech Sector needs sturdy business models) the companies practically in every industrial sector are required to begin watching the developments in the hatching field of nanotechnology. The companies are required to visualise across the hyperbole adjoining nanotechnology and concentrate on applications that are starting to penetrate the prevailing categories. Companies those are initially applying the technology that possibly generates a dominating market position. (Grace, 8)

In some industrial sectors, imitation quickly may not be considered a good approach. The nanotechnology will influence the companies around the structure of manufacturing, materials, electronics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy and the environment. It results in the productive degeneration and major economic changes. To illustrate the nanotechnology will make possible the production of automobile fragile that never tears out. When the tires extend up to the lifetime of a vehicle, the company that is involved in production of that for the first time is seen to gain profoundly. Such a development will vary the process of the industry. Now the question is about the appropriate market strategy in preserving the profits. When only one set of tires is sold during the lifetime of the vehicle rather than of three or four the volume seem to decline. The structure of the new business model then is to be determined. Is it required to reimburse for being the beginner in the market. In such circumstances it is considered as essential. (Grace, 10)

The tennis ball industry confronts such a requirement for a paradigm shift in consequence to the nanotechnology. The longevity of the Wilson nano-clay composite gas diffusion barrier tennis ball is going to endure for much a longer period of time than that of many presently being manufactured. The nanotechnology assures of considerably reducing the expenditure of the tennis players on acquisition of balls. The competitors of Wilson are required to have a fast learning on the ways as to produce a completely new kind of product. In case of other industries like that of integrated circuits, there existed many suppliers and just being a fast second may not be so catastrophic to the company. There existed the places that compel to be the first and other places where the fast follower will perform as well. The one that do not entail attention to it will actually suffer the most. Nanotex, is a company that has generated a new class of textile materials and their business plan is asset light and not manufacturing. With accrediting of the technology influence a lot of industries without having their own infrastructure for manufacturing. That is regarded as a big variation. It is also significant that the investors are also not to be suffered. (Grace, 11)

During the last decade there seems to have an enormous progress in the number of nanotechnology publications, patents and start-ups. This is equivalent to the case of Internet. The industry attracted efforts of each and every one that damaged the industry from one point-of-view. It is essential to be very choosy and care should be taken prior to concentrating on a particular field. One such nano-company that has wide plans however, have a coarse patch is Flamel Technologies. There is a decline in its stock price from $40 dollar each to less than $15. Flamel is developing the drug delivery technology based on polymer with involvement of the micropumps and other nano-techniques. The stock of the company seems to have lost about the 25% of its value in a single day during the last September with its declaration of withdrawal of Bristol Myers Squibb from the partnership. Nanotechnology is a sizzling affair however; much of the concentration is required to be conscious of not being self-damaged by it. (Grace, 11)

The nanotech companies that line up their business structures with that of the road maps, where the industry is emerging along a technology course is considered to be better. The nanotech solution is anticipated to be a prospective paradigm with the period of two to seven years. The Catalytic Solutions is considered to be a better solution in this regard that is associated with a material that is anticipated to replace platinum in the catalytic converters. Platinum is costly worth about $500 an ounce. Catalytic Solutions' nano material is taken to be only a fraction of that, which can reduce some of the switching costs for the new clients. There is profound indication that the requirement for platinum in catalytic converter is going to be enhanced as a result of stringent environmental controls in the United States and Europe and untapped markets in China and India that simultaneously are going to deserve cleaner air. Most of the auto companies are in the quest of a substitute strategy to South African and Russian platinum mines that shoulder political and other risks. (Nanotech Sector needs sturdy business models)

Consequently, there is a scope for a better functioning, cost effective, U.S. based manufacturing means. Considering from another direction when a micro or nanotech solution exists, that seems to have great influences on the remarkable financial dealings of a major player, be it a government buyer or a multinational corporation. The firm is required to be of desirably acquisition target since it is potentially the next generation solutions that will eat away the actual revenue streams. The market leader as well as the prospective competitors those are striving to dominate the market will be interested in the company. Wilson Greatbatch Technologies Inc. acquired the company NanoGram Devices Corp during the March 2004. Greatbatch is considered to be a global leader in production of the battery systems in respect of the medical devices. Presently they are in possession of a progressive battery technology that is found suitable to their technology path. To be a rational investor having inclinations for adoption of micro -- and nanotechnology it is essential first to consider the existence of a market for the product irrespective of the fact of development of product involves nanotech, low tech or no tech. In absence of the effective market for the product it is better to quit from the attempt. (Nanotech Sector needs sturdy business models)