The exponential tech you can't see: Nanotechnology (Part 1)

The next big thing is actually really small

With the start of the new school year past, I've left Blockchain to pursue my passion project. Nanotechnology has been a sort of side focus for when I wanted to learn or explore something exciting. It wasn't until recently that I started going deep into its potential, where I found parallels and intersections across almost every modern industry. One such parallel is with an equally as disruptive and exponential technology: Artificial Intelligence. I had a spark of inspiration and now I wake up every morning highly motivated and thinking "What will I learn today?". I've never felt so excited about an idea to the point where I'm willing to throw myself into the deep end and plunge my hands into the dirt to find that gold nugget. This article is the first of a series of 3, and serves to introduce you to the world of Nanotechnology. Brace yourselves.

What you need to know, Pre-Nanotechnology

Before we look at the possibilities, it is best to describe and define what exactly constitutes as Nanotechnology. If I were to jump straight into its applications and potential, it would likely seem too idealistic, borderline magical. Indeed, Nanotechnology is something of a magical field of study. After all, Nanotech enables fictional things like Harry Potter's Cloak of Invisibility, made possible by manipulating light. This is possible because, as many experts in the field like to say,

"The laws of physics that govern our world no longer apply when working with objects in the nano-scale."

Basically, there are 3 main "fields" in physics, each with a father figure:

1. Classical Physics (Newton)
2. Relativity (Einstein)
3. Quantum Mechanics (Planck)

Einstein's theory of relativity trumped much of Newton's theories, although many of the laws of classical physics remain undisputed. Quantum mechanics however, threatens to shake Einstein's studies of special relativity; the two just can't seem to get along. Nanotechnology dances in the complex and chaotic field of quantum mechanics. The properties of Nanomaterials are all derived from quantum mechanical theories like tunnelling, quantum indeterminacy (randomness), and wave-particle duality. All of these contribute to quantum effects that ultimately determine the properties of a given piece of nanotechnology. I could talk about the math and equations but for the purposes of this article, the only equation you need to know is this:

Quantum Mechanics + Technology = Nanotechnology

But what is Nanotechnology?

So now that we have some background as to what Nanotech is derived from, let's define it.

The "Nano" part of its etymology is what the "less than 100 nanometers" refers to. But that last part: "the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules" is the key. As mentioned earlier, Nanotech is an exponential technology in part because it has branches in almost all other technological developments, and there's a simple reason why.

What does Nanotechnology imply?

Everything is made of the same things.

Atoms; the absolute unit. The one commonality between everything in the world. It doesn't matter what industry you're part of. It doesn't matter what you do or think; everything is made of the same thing. The elements that make up a human can be found in a rock, in a fish, in the air, and on Mars. It's all the same "stuff". As Dr. Manhattan once said:

“A live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles. Structurally, there's no discernible difference."

What is the implication?

If we take the definition of Nanotech: "the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules" and combine that with the fact that everything is made of atoms and molecules, we can see why Nanotechnology has applications in every industry.

Nanotechnology has applications in every industry because every industry is built on the same fundamental materials.

Therefore, the development of Nanotechnology directly correlates with the development of all other technologies. As we will see, the astounding number of applications are a testament to this fact.

To recap, we've learned 3 things summarized as follows

1. Background (Quantum Mechanics + Technology = Nanotechnology)
2. Definition (The manipulation of individual atoms and molecules)
3. Implication (Nanotechnology development is every-technology development)

Alright let's get to the fun part.

It's Nanotechnology in Nature

My first ever deep dive was in a little known but fascinating field of Biomimicry. Nature has its way of organically creating clever yet elegant solutions to problems that life-forms rely upon to survive. In hindsight, the parallels between Biomimetics and Nanotechnology are uncanny. In many cases, nature does a better job of manipulating individual atoms and molecules than humans currently can. Take for example, the beautiful Morpho butterfly:

Anyone who has had the pleasure to enjoy its presence will know of the especially vibrant sheen that the butterfly gives. Blue is not a common color in nature. You might think of a blue frog, flower, or whale, but only a few life-forms have had the luck to inherit such qualities. Yet the morpho butterfly is among the oddities. The culprit is not in its pigment; it is in the structure.

When light hits these nanoscopic scales of the morpho butterfly, blue light is reflected, giving off an illusory blue color. The same is true for blue jay feathers, peacock feathers, and even the bright blue eyes of some very lucky humans.

Color is just beginning. Geckos can stick to virtually any surface just moments after contact because of nanotechnology. Imagine a reusable adhesive that can stick to almost any surface. Pearls are among the lightest and most durable naturally occuring materials on earth because of nanotechnology. Imagine a super-strong buoyant material that doesn't corrode. Lotus leaves cannot be tainted by rain or mud because of nanotechnology. Imagine a hydrophobic fabric that would cause spilt wine to simply roll right off. Dragonfly wings naturally destroy microbes and bacteria because of nanotechnology. Imagine a keyboard that remained pristine even after months of intense use.

It turns out, nature has only scratched the surface of what is possible when operating in the nano world. Humans have only just begun to discover how we can use this technology to our benefit. Evolution took millenia to achieve the feats that we see in some life-forms today.

Human innovation will outdo nature by a magnitude of ten times in only a tenth the time.

Like evolution, Nanotech improves every generation

It is said that in the field of Nanotechnology, there are 4 generations. With each improving generation comes a higher level of complexity but also a greater mastery of the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules.

1. Passive Nanotechnology
2. Active Nanotechnology
3. Systems of Nanosystems
4. Molecular Nanosystems

Generation 1: Passive

With examples, the distinctions between each generation is quite clear. In the first generation, we have passive nanotechnology. This type of nanotechnology, while still incredible, is static. The properties of generation 1 Nano are straightforward. Most nanomaterials and metamaterials belong in generation 1. Aerogel for example, is 96% air, can withstand 4000 times its own weight, can survive direct blasts from 2 pounds of dynamite, and also happens to be the best insulator in the world.

But even with such revolutionary material properties, aerogel is just generation 1.

Carbon is one of the fundamental elements that allowed for life on earth (along with Oxygen, Hydrogen, and others). Known as the "King of Elements", Carbon has the most allotropes of all the elements. Allotropes are essentially the different forms that an element can take. Carbonic allotropes include:

1. Graphite
2. Diamond
3. Amorphous Carbon
4. Lonsdaleite
5. Fullerene
6. Carbon Nanotube
7. Graphene

just to name a few. From high-speed conductors, to drug-delivering capsules, to stronger-than-steel materials, Carbon is the key to unlocking a host of potential use cases and real world applications.

All of these allotropes will come up again in part 2 of my Nanotechnology trilogy, where the focus will be on the applications of nanotechnology. Recent developments in Carbon have been at the forefront of material science and nanotechnology. In a world where silicon dominates our electronics, Carbon Dioxide invades our air, and Nitrogen rules our genetic makeup, Carbon and its allotropes might be the answer to our biggest scientific as well as technological questions.

Generation 2: Active

Generation 2 is where the party really gets started. At this level, nanotechnology interacts and reacts with its environment and or other materials, therefore its properties become variables in an equation. Generation 2 nanotechnology physically and chemically active, with varying effects that can be changed by manipulating its components or structure. This is where nanotechnology intersects the world of biotechnology, where ideas like targeted drug delivery is coming up in popularity.

Obviously, this diagram is a gross oversimplification, but is accurate in its method nonetheless. Imagine being able to bring the chemotherapeutic drug directly to the tumor location. Or perhaps being able to assassinate malicious viruses and bacteria with surgical precision. Stepping away from curing and killing, what if we could enhance human performance by delivering hormones to precise sites where they are most needed? With nanocapsules and ferrofluids, these possibilities aren't just in your imagination.

Currently, we are about knees deep in Generation 2 nanotechnology. None of what has been described so far is fiction. This is happening right now.

Generation 2 is also where nanocircuitry becomes a particularly interesting development. Nanotransistors made of carbon instead of silicon will soon become the base materials for which our electronics will be made of. More about this in the applications of nanotechnology.

Generation 3: Systems

This is where we cross the line in terms of what is currently achievable. When most people hear the word nanotechnology, they think of something along these lines:

Nanobots, while actually viable, will certainly not look so sleek and sinister. Rather, they'll look a lot weirder:

If you know what that is, you're ahead of the game. This is essentially what a "nanobot" will resemble. Ribosomes, are one of the few known biological machines that perfectly fit the definition of a nanosystem. Ribosomes synthesizes the proteins our bodies need to survive.

In some sense, systems of nanosystems can be thought of as the result of combining several active (Generation 2) nanotechnological developments together, to form a system. The Ribosome can be broken down into its chemical components, each component serving a purpose that all come together to translate mRNA into some amino acids. At the end of the day, it's the closest real life example of a "nanobot".

In Generation 2, the enhancement of human performance is just the beginning. Generation 3 is about the acceleration of human potential. Imagine a molecular machine that, instead of synthesizing proteins, repaired our corneas to restore vision? Perhaps it is possible to invent a molecular machine that synthesizes Osteo-related cells and tissue, strengthening and repairing our bones. These nanobots could potentially unlock the secret to accelerated, autonomous healing. Why stop there? Imagine the perfect nanobot, one that not only removes all possible detriments to the human anatomy, but also repairs and improves every anatomical structure, from brain to muscle to reach its maximum potential.

We are not even close to being able to create a molecular assembler of such complex nature. Closest estimates say ETA could be another half century. Some even doubt we'll ever reach this point.

Generation 4: Molecular

This is nothing less than godlike power. Generation 4 is the perfection of Nanotechnology; when we can fully "manipulate individual atoms and molecules". At this level we have complete control of the actual atoms and molecules that make up literally everything. We would be able to turn lead into gold. We could build and manipulate all of matter.

There is no comparable example of what this looks like or what it would mean. There is nothing that can prove we can even get to this point. As long as Quantum mechanics remains a chaotic mystery, Generation 4 is only a figment of imagination, one that leaves mankind longing for the powers of a god. I believe it's important not to think too hard about what this would ethically imply until we have a clearer picture of its feasibility. In this case, to fathom is to falter.

Where are we?

As of now, mankind is sitting comfortably within the realms of Generation 1 and 2, albeit a couple ambitious projects delving the possibilities of a viable Generation 3 innovation. Most of the interest in Nanotechnology is in its medical applications, with some hype just beginning to build around its applications in the energy and electronics sector as well. What most people don't know is that the aforementioned applications are only the beginning; from space travel to environmental protection, nanotechnology will have use cases everywhere.

Key Takeaways and tl;dr

• Nanotechnology's properties and therefore applications are all due to the rules of quantum mechanics.
• The definition of Nanotechnology is the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules.
• Since Nanotechnology centers around the manipulation of atoms, the development of Nanotechnology is correlated to the development of all other industries.
• Nanotechnology is occurs naturally, but with the focus of human resources and knowledge, can be improved exponentially.
• Nanotechnology is separated by 4 Generations, each with additional levels of complexity but each a step closer to achieving the definition of Nanotechnology. We are currently in Generation 1, only having begun investigating Generations 2 and 3.

What's next?

Want to learn more and stay up to date about the possibilities of Nanotechnology? Nanowerk has all the information and news updates you'll need to have your mind blown. A fellow TKS member, Samarth Athreya, has written many excellent articles on nanotechnology and a couple of its applications. Some notable names working on incredible projects in the Nanotechnology and Biotechnology world include Andrew Hessel, Brendan Frey, and Sumio Iijima.

Originally, I set out to write an article on everything I had learned in the world of Nanotechnology, but I quickly realized not only was there too much content to digest, but that my own knowledge was not yet at par with the expectations I set for myself. As a result, this article is the first in a series of 3. The goal of Part 1. is to introduce and provide some background and insight to the nature of Nanotechnology and admittedly, to get you excited about Part 2. The goal of Part 2 will be to blow your mind with the sheer number of groundbreaking applications across so many industries; prepare to be amazed.