It really is a small world after all

Alex Metrakos
Information Soup
Published Saturday, December 13, 2003


The concept is to use high-tech machines to construct other things, atom by atom, be they simple everyday materials or actual computers and robots. This is significant because being able to use tiny technology easily, you can make a computer much faster than your typical home computer and much, much smaller.

But nanotechnology doesn't stop being useful there. The ability to construct super-small, possibly microscopic, machines opens up a plethora of possibilities. Yet, that handy dandy nanotechnology has another, possible yet still "fictional" ability. Think about it. If you can construct things, atom by atom, you can essentially make anything -- even food and water.

Essential stuff, eh?

The ability to make vital resources makes them more available, possibly eliminating world hunger.

Unfortunately, this won't become a reality for a long while. Nanotechnology has allowed us to make super conductors, which, hence the name, conduct electricity really well. This would allow electricity to be transferred with less power being lost during the transfer process. This would help the environment and save money by conserving electricity.

But it will be a while before we start seeing nanotechnology pop up in our every day lives.

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