According to IEEE experts, some of the devices and technological innovations revolutionizing the world are so tiny that they could fit on a pin’s head. Such innovations in nanotechnology, the science of small things, are changing the way scientists are finding solutions for many issues faced today.
Nanotechnology is an engineering field that deals with developing devices or working with materials that are less than 100 nm in at least one specific dimension. While several electronic technologies are presently using nanotechnology, several new innovations are creating revolutionary transformations. By researching at the molecular and atomic levels, also referred to as the quantum realm, the materials’ catalytic, thermal, mechanical characteristics can be altered.
According to Jo-Won Lee, IEEE Member, traditional manufacturing cannot be directly used at the nano-level, yet there is a better approach known as self-assembly which basically implies that nanodevices form on their own similar to the formation of molecules in nature creating larger systems. The IEEE Nanotechnology Council promotes and manages research in the field that includes the design, theory, and advancement of nanotechnology as well as its industrial, engineering, and scientific applications.
The key efforts of the Council in 2011 is the 11th annual IEEE NANO 2011 Conference conducted this year between August 15 to 19, 2011 in Portland, Ore. International practitioners and researchers representing above 20 IEEE societies will unite to work together on the study of nanotechnology.
Healthcare industry faces considerable improvements, for example, researchers are working to develop nanosensors capable of injecting into the skin for monitoring health disorders such as diabetes. However, with the help of chemically tuned nanocrystals known as quantum dots, physicians can particularly target tumor cells without affecting healthy cells. IEEE professionals also hope that the advancement made recently in the performance of the battery can be significantly improved with nanotechnology.
Source: http://ieeenano2011.org/