Nanotechnology and the future of materials science and amazing objects
Nanotechnology is an emerging science that is expected to make rapid and strong advances in the future. It is predicted to contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation around the world in the coming decades. According to scientists, this technology will foresee four different generations of advancement. We are currently experiencing the first or perhaps the second generation of nanomaterials in the future of nanotechnology.
The future of materials science and nanotechnology
The first generation is all about materials science and nanotechnology with the enhancement of properties achieved by incorporating “passive nanostructures.” This can take the form of coatings or the use of carbon nanotubes to reinforce plastics.
The second generation uses functional nanostructures, for example, by being bioactive to deliver drugs to a specific target cell or organ. This can be done by coating the nanoparticle with specific proteins. The complexity increases in the third and fourth generations of nanotechnology.
The future of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence will begin with advanced nanosystems. For example, nanorobotics and the move towards a molecular nanosystem to control the growth of artificial organs will be accompanied by the fourth generation of nanomaterials.
Safe design for nanomaterials
The development of the concept of “safe by design” for nanotechnology is currently being explored by scientists. The main premise is that, rather than testing the safety of nanomaterials after they are released to the market, safety assessment should be incorporated into the design and innovation phase of nanomaterial development.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Nanotechnology
Artificial intelligence (AI) and nanotechnology are among the most exciting emerging technologies today. But in many ways, they are also the least understood today. While unusual use cases for each of these technologies, such as the ability to fake your own voice with an AI, have grabbed headlines, the truth is that both AI and nanotechnology are already with us and are being used in everyday situations, including:
AFM microscope
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) may seem like a secretive place, but it is one of the clearest examples that foreshadows the future of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. Simply put, AFM is a technique for imaging objects at the nanoscale. This is useful for quality assurance when building microchips and viewing cells in the human body.
Chemical modeling
A similar revolution is taking place in the world of chemical modeling. Chemical modeling simulates how molecules interact with each other. This nanotechnology is widely used in life sciences and drug development. However, recently, scientists have begun to use similar modeling techniques to better understand the behavior of materials at the nanoscale, and as a result, have been able to improve their efficiency.