In this article, Kevin Coleman, the founder of Netscape, reviews a developing technology whose importance to internal security is increasing, and examines the role that nanotechnology will play in the fight against terrorism, 20 percent of the expected applications of nanotechnology will be precisely in the field of IT
Avi Blizovsky
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Nanotechnology deals with the development of materials (and even entire systems) at an atomic, molecular or macromolecular level, in the range of about 1-500 nanometers. Today, researchers are trying to understand the unique properties of materials at the nano level. The researchers focus on the creation of structures, devices and systems with unique and even contradictory characteristics, which can be used for many purposes due to their tiny size. The research and development in the field of nano technology includes control at the nano level, the integration of structures at the nano level in components, systems and architectures on a larger scale, as well as the development of automatic systems for the production of materials at the nano level and the automatic assembly of structures and systems.
The history of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology was first recognized after the Nobel laureate, Richard Feynman, delivered his speech "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" before the American Physical Society in 1959. Activity in the field of nanotechnology increased slowly in the following decades. In 1988 Eric Dragsler directed the first course in nanotechnology. As part of the program, he raised the possibility that objects at the nano level reproduce themselves. The next milestone came when Prof. Richard Smalley of Rice University won the Nobel Prize in 1996 for discovering a new configuration of carbon: a molecule with 60 carbon atoms (known as C60). Today C60 is considered one of the most important building blocks of materials at the nano level.
Nanotechnology began to gain real momentum in the late nineties. Nanotechnology captured the imagination of scientists and venture capitalists after Scientific American devoted an entire issue to the promise of the new technology.
The state of nanotechnology today
Nanotechnological research spans a wide range of fields. The companies dealing in advanced materials develop innovative products - paints, industrial powders, chemicals and carbon tubes. In the business world, about two dozen nano-level materials and processes are already being applied - from abrasion-resistant paving to particularly strong mounts for vehicle engines and high-heat protection for spacecraft. The materials at the nano level receive a lot of attention, but there are other applications of nano technology.
Trends and implications of nanotechnology
The nanotechnology revolution may be even more important than the industrial revolution or the information revolution. In fact, many believe that the combined effect of the industrial revolution and the information revolution paved the way for the commercial application of nanotechnology. Today, nanotechnology is moving from the basic research phase to the technological maturity phase. Several nano technology companies are already traded on the stock markets and as the technology develops and matures, it can be expected that more companies will enter the field. The production methods at the molecular level are still very immature and can be likened to assembling Lego blocks with thick gloves: something may come out in the end, but it will not exactly resemble what we wanted.
The future innovations
- Products, systems and materials that assemble themselves (self-repairing systems).
- Computers billions of times faster (will reach the limit of the size of the microprocessors).
- Innovative inventions (materials that adjust themselves).
- Actual journeys and discoveries in space (at a lower price).
- Nano medicine (ability to provide unique treatment).
- Food processing at the molecular level (the end of hunger and scarcity).
It seems that it will take another eight to ten years for the technology to reach the mainstream. The breakthroughs and innovations will be expressed in the development of materials, semiconductors, optical communication and information technologies.
Applications in the field of internal security
Kevin Coleman, the founder of Netscape was infected, like our Shimon Peres by the nanotechnology bug. In particular he believes that the applications of this mysterious domain can be exploited for homeland security uses.
Due to the diverse capabilities of nanotechnology, its applications in the field of internal security are limited only by human imagination and the pace of progress. From a protective vest that changes its shape to a fabric that repels bacteria or is resistant to bullets, or new energy sources - nanotechnology truly has a promising future in the defense industry. The government is an important source of funding for these projects. Nanotechnology research centers were established throughout the country. The basic research conducted at these centers will provide the foundations upon which real-world applications will be built. Additional centers are already focusing on military applications of nanotechnology such as the development of new weapons, but most of the research and development will focus on aids.
The defense and internal security industries are showing great interest in nanotechnology, with the hope that it will yield new power sources, improved batteries and advanced sensors that will greatly assist the defense system. In fact, research and development efforts are currently focused on tiny power generation facilities for a variety of applications. If the efforts are crowned with success, these facilities will be able to drive sensors and networks of sensors to protect infrastructure such as water purification facilities, railways and bridges. Other possible applications include, among others, listening devices and microscopic shock sensors. The Ministry of Defense funds research and development of tiny energy sources.
Tiny electromechanical systems have direct implications for integrated circuits, optical switches, pressure sensors, and weapons development processes, but most development efforts are currently focused on new weapons and intelligence surveillance. These systems can be used, for example, to supply energy to spy satellites through steam pressure. The water will turn into vapor using the energy of the sun and return to a liquid state when the satellite faces the far side from the sun. Thanks to the high efficiency of the nano-technological system, the tiny power plant operating on steam will be able to provide enough energy to operate the unit. The unit's dimensions and weight can be reduced by up to ten times, thanks to the accepted construction methods at the nano level. Instead of using rockets, it will be possible to launch these satellites with a rifle shot - while saving huge money and creating a real difficulty for those who want to intercept the satellite.
Nanotechnological materials make it possible to produce particularly sensitive detectors for the detection of chemical and biological warfare agents. Tiny sensors with extremely low energy consumption, or with their own energy sources, will also allow radioactive radiation to be detected. The tiny sensors will make it possible to detect chemical substances in the water network and transmit the information to the control center so that the necessary steps can be taken. Tiny underground sensors can detect the movement of ships in ports. Sensors that will be attached to the containers will be able to find out if they contain chemical substances.
Nano technological fabrics, which are currently under development, can protect against chemical and biological substances, preserve or disperse body heat or protect against bullet penetration. In this way it will be possible to save the high weight of the protective vest and reduce the weight that the soldier carries to the battlefield by about 50 percent. One uniform suit with alternating shades can be used for camouflage in all terrain conditions, and thanks to the ability to adapt to heat, it will also fit in all weather conditions - thus further saving the weight carried by the soldier will be achieved. In the heat, tiny ventilation openings will open and in the cold they will close to preserve body heat.
One of the first successes in the field of nanotechnological fabrics is a material with the characteristics of Goretex and the look and feel of a normal fabric. A uniform made of many layers of this material could also be used as a protective vest and save the weight of the conventional vest. Also under development is a bomb-resistant windshield, for ships and planes as well as for government and civilian office buildings.
Nanotechnology can also help in the development of semiconductors, while further miniaturizing the transistor and improving the performance of the chip. Nanotechnological methods can significantly increase the processing capacity and create a real revolution in the industry.
Conclusions
Nanotechnology is currently in the basic research phase, and the developments we have described can bring great benefit. Materials with advanced properties will make it possible to produce state-of-the-art devices both for physical protection against terrorism and for intelligence surveillance. When the day comes, we will see that the promise has been fulfilled, and it is worth following the developments closely.
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