The Future of Nanotechnology

by Ashlin Burton

Understanding Nanotechnology

• A nanometer is one billionth of a meter

– 100,000 thinner than a human hair

New Phase Space of Material

Materials change and can be controlled

– Periodic table projects into a new dimension

– Materials change color depending on size

History & Momentum

• First Recorded Mention in 1959

• Imaging at the Atomic Level is Uncovered in 1981

• 1988 Stanford University-Nanotechnology Engineering Course

• 2000 US establishes National Nanotechnology Initiative

The Power & Potential

• Unprecedented Production Capacity

• Advance Electronics, Aerospace, and Medicine

• Low-cost Solar Electric Power Systems

• Transition to a Zero Net Carbon Economy

A Business Driven Revolution

• Global Race

• Positives Trump Negatives

• Unsustainable Global Consumption

• Education & Awareness Campaigns

Risk

• Loss of Control or Containment

• Diminished Human Purpose

• AI Unpredictability

• God’s Anger

Difficulty & Threats to Progress

• Societal Fear & Ignorance

• Radical Extremists

• Disrupted Industries

• Existing Infrastructure

Nanotechnology a Faustian Bargain?

• Merging of Human and Machine

• Unnatural Extension of the Human Lifespan

• What is wrong with playing God?

• Is it the Human Quest for a Better Life or a Better Profit?

The Resistance

The Revolution

References

Timeline a brief history of Nanotechnology. (2012). Retrieved from http://dm4community.com/2012/01/13/timeline-history-of-nanotechnology/

Pidgeon, N. (2009). Nature nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v4/n2/abs/nnano.2008.362.html

Madrigal, A. (2008). The Chinese Government’s Plans for Nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/the-chinese-gov/

Sterling, B. (2007). Bangalore Nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2007/12/bangalore-nanot/