NANOTECHNOLOGY - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

Nanotechnology encompasses a broad range of materials and processes on a sub-micron scale. Nanotechnology materials have been in use for many years. However, recent developments in synthesis by high temperature chemistry have yielded new material structures. These new material exhibit new and unexpected properties and behaviors. Adaptation of these structures is the key to taking advantage of these materials. Current nanotechnology applications cover areas of theological control (aerogels), composite structures (grapheme sheets) and surface modification (transparent hydrophobic coatings). Future uses of nano-materials are envisioned in information storage in the gigabyte range, antibacterial and anti-fungal agents with surface active components, detoxification of contaminated clothing, fuel cells, catalyst with specific structures, energy storage of exceptionally high density such as hydrogen storage, and medical applications such as targeted drug delivery vehicles for tumors and viruses. The growth of nano-materials in many products is indicated to have impacts as significant as antibiotics, printed circuits and manmade polymer.