Nanotechnology is defined as the control of matter at dimensions between one and one hundred nanometers. This is a technology where unique and new applications that are revolutionizing the world are developed. Nanotechnology is changing the world for the reason that it is being used in many fields to make work easier. The exposure of human exposure to nano particles has occurred throughout human history but it increased considerably during the industrial revolution when the need to produce more arose. Nanotechnology has also its setbacks, for instance, it poses significant challenges to traditional approaches of health, safety, and environmental regulation, which has been slow in its implementation (Marchant,2014). This essay analyzes how nanotechnology is changing the modern world by looking at both its positive and negative impacts.
The beginning of the 21st century saw an increased interest in the emerging fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology because of the benefits that had been realized by embracing the technology. Applications from nanotechnology have become crucial in the modern industrial world where there is need for increased and effective production with the limited resources.Nanotechnology is crucial in many fields, for instance, medicine, architecture and building where it is used to increase efficiency. Some of the potential benefits of nanotechnology include improved drug delivery, antibacterial coatings of medical devices, reduced inflammation, better surgical tissue healing, and detection of circulating cancer cells(Hulla, Sahu&Hayes, 2015). The technology has helped to increase efficiency in many fields by changing the way some things are done. Experts in many fields avoid the traditional way and embrace nanotechnology because of its many benefits, for instance, efficiency and increased production.
First, nanotechnology-based thermal insulation materials are used in many applications in architecture to increase efficiency. The use of nanotechnology in the construction and architecture fields are changing the ways things are done in the various fields. The materials have a higher heat transfer resistance than traditional thermal insulation materials and have a much lower thermal conductivity for the reason that they have reduced interior thermal radiation that is blocked by the fine graphite powder (Bozsaky, 2016).The characteristics of the material that are developed using the technology, for instance, high heat transfer and low thermal conductivity make them to be efficient in the construction and architecture fields. In the past they were only used for façade insulation, and their installation needed much more attention unlike nowadays where they are also used for many other purposes in the industry. But due to the product improvements, it has overcome its disadvantages and become a widely-used thermal insulation material in the contemporary society. Nano materials with properties such as high chemical reactivity, corrosion resistance, and strength and durability are of particular interest to construction professionals who like efficiency. This is because the properties of the material directly affect the selection of construction materials, erection methods, and on-site handling techniques that are used in the construction industry. Adding nanoparticles to concrete may reduce the construction schedule because of a shorter placement time that is required of nanomaterials as compared to the traditional materials that were used for construction. Lighter nano-materials may also affect the equipment selection of lifts because of their lower thermal conductivity as compared to the traditional materials. Traditional materials that were used in the construction industry before the advent of nanotechnology did not have a high insulation as compared to materials that have been developed using nanotechnology. Materials that are transparent and have high efficiency insulation may challenge the idea of a classic window and the utilization of interior building space (Teizer, Venugopal, Teizer&Felkl, 2012). Nano composites, which are nanoparticulate fillers in a macroscopic material, enhance mechanical properties and make materials impermeable. Nano composites are also less resistant to shear, are highly ductile and are more flexible and thus this improved performance of physical material properties can lead to highly durable materials, compared with conventional materials. They are also tough and thus they are liked by many professionals. The high durability of materials that have been produced with the technology has made them to be liked by many people and thus changed the way people view things. The high durability of materials that are developed using the technology has made them to be liked by many people and thus in the near future many people are going to use the technology for construction.
Research has shown that nano modifications of steel such as material grain equipment, more durable platforms and pipelines. The use of nano catalysts will improve the downstream processing of lower quality crude oil and thus help in improving the effectiveness of the material in the near future. More selective and finer fillers will minimize contamination and improve yields all as a result of nanotechnology. Lower quality crude oil that will come from the use of the materials in the production process will help to lower the cost of production in the near future. Crude oil is a major factor in the production process that can have major impacts if its production cost is lowered. The improvement of yields and production as a result of the technology will help in improving production in the field. The use of the material in the construction sector is going to have major impacts in the field in the near future because of the many benefits that the materials will come with, for instance, reducing the cost of the production of construction material.
Nanotechnology also has a great impact in the military as it has helped to change the warfare to one which is technology based. Nanotechnology has changed the way some activities are carried out in the military. The development of applications such as nanorobotics has enabled military personnel to carry out delicate operations that could not be accomplished without using the technology. The technology provides soldiers with stronger and lighter battle suits unlike the traditional methods that were used in the past. Nanotechnology in the military has helped to improve warfare because some basic things like food which could not be preserved in extreme conditions can be easily preserved. The field wounds that solders sustain during way can be cured at a faster rate when nanotechnology is used as compared to the traditional way of dealing with wounds that were sustained during field battles. The dynamics of the military require a technology that can provide foods that can withstand extreme conditions without spoiling because of the harsh conditions that soldiers encounter during war.
This technology has changed many things in the military and could still have major impacts in the near future. This technology can be used to increase the flexibility of solders if they are used in the development of battle suits. The traditional battle suits that are used by soldiers are heavy and cannot withstand extreme adversity in hard conditions because they always hamper mobility of soldiers. The battle suit as a result of the technology is very vital and could change the way the soldiers engage on the ground. This technology will play a vital role in the military because it will be used in the development of equipment that will help to increase efficiency in the operations of military. Artificial intelligence can help soldiers and their commanders to make informed decisions depending on circumstances unlike the traditional way that does not employ nanotechnology. The traditional style that was used by military commandos in operations posed some challenges, for instance, the military commandos were not able to take quick decisions because of some institutional obstacles.
Artificial intelligence as a result of nanotechnology is also changing the way things are done in the modern world. Artificial intelligence is vital in many fields because it is proving to be more efficient than the capabilities of human beings in regards to intelligence. Artificial intelligence is currently being used and evolving in expert systems that is used in robots has been used to accomplish major risk operations that could not be accomplished by human beings.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is on track to become the most ubiquitous and fastest emerging technology in modern history, with rapid, sustained growth in products, patents, research studies, investment and economic value. Nanotechnology will result to development of many things that will help to address the potential risks that are likely to face human beings in the near future. Nanotechnology in the modern society has revolutionized the way things are done in the modern society starting from medicine to the military.
References
Bozsaky, D. (2016). Application of Nanotechnology-Based Thermal Insulation Materials in Building Construction. Slovak Journal of Civil Engineering, 24(1), 17-23.
Hulla, J. E., Sahu, S. C.& Hayes, A. W. (2015). Nanotechnology. Human & Experimental Toxicology, 34(12), 1318-1321.
Marchant, G. E. (2014). ‘Soft Law’ mechanisms for nanotechnology: liability and insurance drivers. Journal of Risk Research, 17(6), 709-719.
Tate, J. S., Espinoza, S., Habbit, D., Hanks, C., Trybula, W.&Fazarro, D. (2015). Military and National Security Implications of Nanotechnology. Journal of Technology Studies, 41(1), 20-28.
Teizer, J., Venugopal, M.,Teizer, W.&Felkl, J. (2012). Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Construction: Bridging the Gap between Researchers and Industry Professionals. Journal of Construction Engineering & Management, 138(5), 594-604.