Pick up any science fiction written in the last decade, and the chances are that you will come across hoards of nanorobots either being used to heal an individual or attack them. However, the thing about nanotech is that it’s not actually science fiction. In fact, it exists now and is being developed and put to use in the world in the following ways.
What is nanotech?
Before we get into all the good stuff that is concerned with how nanotech is being used right now, we first need to define what it is. It is, of course, a technology that works on a microscopic level. The nano-level to be precise, which is anything less than 100 nanometers in size. This is pretty hard for our brain to comprehend as is about the width of the led in a pencil divided by one million!
Of course, it is nano tech’s microscopic size, along with its super strength and fantastic conductivity, despite only being a semi-metal that is it so interesting and ensures that it has so many useful applications. Some of which you can find out about below.
Sports equipment
It may seem a tad frivolous compared to the other applications, but the sports industry was one of the first adopters of nanotech. Specifically, graphene and graphite are used in the production of sports and safety equipment such as tennis rackets, bicycles, and safety gear like helmets and shoes.
In fact, graphene is so strong that many consider it to be the perfect material for creating bulletproof vests. After all, it is highly flexible and so will be considerably less bulky and awkward to wear while still providing excellent protection.
Medicine
Another area in which nanotech is currently being put to use is medicine and medical research. In particular, many companies are working on the ability of nanoparticle to attach to a specific type of cells, and then deliver a particular drug or treatment to them. Something that may be able to be used in the treatment of many kinds of disease including cancer and diabetes.
Of course, currently, such things are not yet on the market, but something that is, are the highly sensitive sensors such as graphene transistors, which along with other types of nanotech have potential to be used in the research and diagnosis of life-threatening conditions. Something that can help patients to get targeted treatment much sooner and so can increase their potential for survival.
Environment
There is also a great deal going in with nanotech and the environment at this current time. In particular, the applications of nanomaterial in creating safe, clean energy such as solar power is something that many are pursuing.
Of course, that is not it’s only utilization, as it’s also postulated that nanotech could be used to contain and dispose of toxic nuclear waste in a much more efficient manner. Again this has to do with the attractive properties of graphene and its ability to be programmed to collect certain particles.
Something that could not only help to protect our planet in the future but also have a substantial positive effect when it comes to clearing land already polluted with nuclear waste as well.
