There is something ultimate about Nanotechnology: matter is manipulated at its most elementary level, the atom. Nanotechnologies are a logical step, unavoidable in the course of human progress.
More than just progress in a narrow realm of technology, this represents the birth process of a new "age" as we harness Nanotechnology’s potential. The areas of potential applications are multiple; from powerful UV-blocking sunscreens to nano-robots designed to repair at the cellular level. Below is presented a non-exhaustive list of the principal domains which will be affected by developments in Nanotechnology:
-Materials: new materials, harder, more durable and resistant, lighter and less expensive.
-Electronics: electronic components will become smaller and smaller, allowing the design of more powerful computers.
-Energy: a vast increase in the potential of solar energy generation is envisioned, for example.
-Health and nanobiotechnologies: great expectations are held in the areas of prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. For example, nanoscopic probes could be put in place to measure our state of health around the clock, new tools could be developed to fight genetic disease at the level of the gene, and markers could be created to detect and, one by one, destroy cancerous cells, just to name a few of the many possibilities.
Developments in these domains would impact a broad range of industries, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer appliances, hygienics, construction, communication, security and safety, and space exploration. Our environment will benefit as well, in terms of clean, economical energy production, and the use of more environmentally friendly materials.
If brief, many areas of our daily lives will be affected in one way or another by the development of Nanotechnologies, because Nanotechnologies will permit us to do better, with less.
