Nanotech vision


Nanomedicine

What if doctors could search out and destroy the very first cancer cells that would otherwise have caused a tumor to develop in the body? What if a broken part of a cell could be removed and replaced with a miniature biological machine? What if pumps the size of molecules could be implanted to deliver life-saving medicines precisely when and where they are needed? These scenarios may sound unbelievable, but they are the long-term goals of the NIH Roadmap's Nanomedicine initiative that we anticipate will yield medical benefits as early as 10 years from now.

Nanomedicine, an offshoot of nanotechnology, refers to highly specific medical intervention at the molecular scale for curing disease or repairing damaged tissues, such as bone, muscle, or nerve. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, too small to be seen with a conventional lab microscope. It is at this size scale – about 100 nanometers or less – that biological molecules and structures inside living cells operate.


Nanoagriculture

Nanotechnology is the science of studying and producing materials and devices of nanometer size--about the size of a small molecule or individual atom. It enables the development of future inventions across a vast array of fields. By 2015, the global impact of products where nanotechnology plays a key role will be approximately $1 trillion annually and will require a highly trained workforce of two million. (USDA) CSREES' involvement in nanotechnology includes four grant programs that fund nanotechnology research projects. CSREES also participates as a USDA and agency representative on the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee of the White House National Science and Technology Council and as a member agency in the National Nanotechnology Initiative. Many federal agencies are working together through this initiative to develop a comprehensive research, education, and outreach approach to this relatively new scientific field.

Small science to be big in 2005

How nanotechnology is building the future from the bottom up In pictures

POTENTIAL USES OF NANOTECHNOLOGIES

1 - Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) for displays

2 - Photovoltaic film that converts light into electricity

3 - Scratch-proof coated windows that clean themselves with UV

4 - Fabrics coated to resist stains and control temperature

5 - Intelligent clothing measures pulse and respiration

6 - Bucky-tubeframe is light but very strong

7 - Hip-joint made from biocompatible materials

8 - Nano-particle paint to prevent corrosion

9 - Thermo-chromic glass to regulate light

10 - Magnetic layers for compact data memory

11 - Carbon nanotube fuel cells to power electronics and vehicles

12 - Nano-engineered cochlear implant

US National Nanotech Initiative