Nanotech Sensors
Welcome to Nanotech Sensors. Nanosensors are any biological, chemical, or surgical sensory points used to convey information about nanoparticles to the macroscopic world. Their use mainly include various medicinal purposes and as gateways to building other nanoproducts, such as computer chips that work at the nanoscale and nanorobots. Presently, there are several ways proposed to make nanosensors, including top-down lithography, bottom-up assembly, and molecular self-assembly.
Existing nanosensors
Currently, the most common mass-produced functioning nanosensors exist in the biological world as natural receptors of outside stimulation. For instance, sense of smell, especially in animals in which it is particularly strong, such as dogs, functions using receptors that sense nanosized molecules.
Predicted applications
Medicinal uses of nanosensors mainly revolve around the potential of nanosensors to accurately identify particular cells or places in the body in need. Other projected products most commonly involve using nanosensors to build smaller integrated circuits, as well as incorporating them into various other commodities made using other forms of nanotechnology for use in a variety of situations including transportation, communication, improvements in structural integrity, and robotics.
Social Impacts
Ethical and social impacts are harder to define and sort as good or bad compared to health and environmental impacts. The advancement in detecting and sensing different biological and chemical species with increased capacity and accuracy may transform societal mechanisms that were originally designed on uncertainty and imprecise information.
For example, the ability to measure extremely low amounts of air pollutants or toxic materials in water raises questions and dilemmas of risk thresholds especially if the advancement of such technologies outpaces the ability of the public to respond. As another example, medical sensors will not only help in diagnoses and treatment but may also predict the future profile of an individual. This will add to the information used by health insurance companies to grant or deny coverage. Other social issues resulting from the widespread use of nanosensors and surveillance devices include privacy invasion and security issues.
One thing is for sure – technology advancements are difficult to slow down – and the integration of nanotechnology into research and development across the broad spectrum of sciences will provide much fodder for the imagination. Thanks for stopping by Nanotech Sensors.
