Nanoengineering manipulates processes on a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. It is an interdisciplinary science that builds biochemical structures smaller than bacteria. Nanoengineering could lead to revolutionary materials and products that benefit everyday life, and is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and non-polluting. It is believed to be a promising field for young scientific minds and projected to be a multi-billion dollar business by 2015.
Nanoengineering is a field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is an umbrella term encompassing all fields of science that operate on the nanoscale. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, or three to five atoms across. It would take about 40,000 nanometers lined up to equal the width of a human hair. Nanoengineering deals with manipulating processes that occur on a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers.
The generic term, nanotechnology, is sometimes used to refer to common products that have improved properties because they are fortified with nanoscale materials. One example is nano-enhanced tooth-colored enamel, which is used by dentists for fillings. The general use of the term ‘nanotechnology’ therefore differs from the more specific sciences that fall under its rubric.
Nanoengineering is an interdisciplinary science that builds biochemical structures smaller than bacteria, which function like microscopic factories. This is possible using basic biochemical processes at the atomic or molecular level. Simply put, molecules interact through natural processes and nanoengineering exploits these processes by direct manipulation.
Nanoengineering, in its infancy, saw some early successes with using DNA as a catalyst to self-assemble simple structures. In 2006 a research team from Brown University was able to grow zinc oxide nanowires approximately 100-200 nm in length by fusing fragments of synthetic DNA into carbon nanotubes. DNA, nature’s handbook for creating matter from below, is of particular interest in the field of nanoengineering. By assembling a specific DNA code, a nanoengineer can create the conditions for the genetic code to perform tasks that lead to the biochemical assembly of nanomaterials.
The implications of being able to manipulate the “growth” of materials from the atomic level up are enormous. Nanoengineering could potentially lead to a plethora of revolutionary materials and products that would benefit not only areas such as aerospace, medicine and technology, but also everyday life. Nanoengineering could lead to practical applications such as self-cleaning paint that doesn’t fade or need waxing; aircraft with skins that de-ice and adapt to different aerodynamic environments; and more efficient and cleaner fuels.
One of the most attractive aspects of nanoengineering is that it is exceptionally cost-effective, environmentally friendly (raw product is plentiful), non-polluting and requires little energy. Nanoengineering is believed to be a promising field for young scientific minds seeking a chance to ride the cutting edge of a revolutionary wave of new science that is heading our way. It is widely believed that nanotechnology will have a greater impact on the world than the industrial revolution and is projected to be a multi-billion dollar business by 2015.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
