Nanotechnology?

Question

What kind of jobs (technical) can be expected in the near future in the field of Nanotechnology? Also, how fast is it growing to be influential in our day 2 day lives?

Answer 1

Medical robots to find and destroy disease will be one of the first. DARPA website (Defense Administraion Research Project Association) The military will have plenty of uses

Answer 2

The nanotechnology arena can be broken into two basic catagories:

1. Nanoparticles - Natural, refined and synthetic materials that are simply a nano sized version of existing materials. This would include basic chemicals, medicines and various minerals. Carbon nanotubes, nanoclays and medicinal compounds are good examples.

2. Nanotechnology - The creation of functional devices at the nano level. These devices can have pseudo-robotic moving parts, function as a conductor like in computer chips or (for wilder imaginations) do just about anything.

The world of technology surrounding nanoparticles already exists commercially. For example, the natural rheology created by nanoclays (bentonite and hectorite) causes paint, cosmetics and other gels to thicken through nano behavior. This was discovered 80 years ago even though scientists did not call it 'nanotechnology'. Another example is that nano-sized zinc oxide particles are being used in see-through sunscreens. A third is that nanolayers of mica are being used as a barrier to extend the life of some Wilson (?) tennis balls.

The further development of these additive technologies is an area where we will probably see results very soon and there are several companies in the plastics, chemical, pharma and mining industries that are hiring in these areas. (Pharma is probably where the most money is at.)

The second area of Nanotechnology is more like the wild-wild west. From the media's perspective, there is more science fiction going on here than there is actual science. Quips from technology experts like Prince Charles saying that 'nanorobots will eventuall turn us all into grey goo' get more airtime than pragmatic applications. The point here is that general knowledge around nanotechnology is often based on folklore or some fundamental fear of the unknown.

There are billions of global dollars being spent in nanotech applications - odds are that most will fail, but these efforts will eventually come out with something. The most pragmatic applications are happening in the world of computer chip fabrication - an area where we could see dramatic commercial results in the next 10 years.

Things like fully functional nanorobots are 25+ years away, but there are R&D programs designed to develop the root activity needed to get to that point. There will be a need for engineering, process design and technical R&D jobs to get to this level.

Answer 3

Nanotechnology is amazing. It will cure all known diseases so to get into this field would be very good for you. It may even evently be used to move and position atoms into place. e.g. imagine a brick been built in front of your eyes, it would appear to be magic.