Nifty, no? The thought of all of our current tech paling in comparsion to items only a (relatively) few atoms across is facinating to me. I guess size doesn't matter, huh? (SLAP)Okay, no more bad jokes. The potentals truly are mind boggling. Nearly anything could be enhanced with nanotech. More efficient fuel, impossibly strong building materials, even genetic manipulation (to hopefully eradicate hereditary diseases).
Of course, the mentioned nanoparticles aren't the only concern with this tech. Two of the most consistent problems are lovenly called "fat fingers" and "sticky fingers". Simply put, researchers need specialized equipment that is not only small enough to move molecules, but also won't stick to those same molecules. When you factor in the fact that those molecules will start to act different depending on size, shape, and even enviroment, nearly every application will require it own set of very specific tools. Another problem could be the situation known as "grey goo". The video mentioned nanotech that could replicate itself. An old science fiction story told of humans achiving nanobots that could do just that, but due to an oversight in the programming, the nanobots continued to reproduce, "devouring" anything available for materials. A fail-safe, perhaps like the degredation that occurs in human cells, would have to be implemented, and to that effect I do have to mention that as cells degrade, they do develop a variety of interesting prolems, including cancer. Those are just the start the of the problems that face nano-researchers.
Still, the video mentions that it would be wrong to just let this tech lay in stasis, and I agree wholeheartedly. There's too many benefits not to. This is actually one of the fields I might go into someday, and even if I don't, I still love this type of stuff. I think I'm going to go look some more up, so y'all have yourself a good weekend, y'hear.
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