The advancement of technology has seen the invention of new technologies that people had never imagined would come to exist. One such technology is the nanotechnology, which deals with the manipulation of both atoms and molecules. Nanotechnology refers to the engineering of functional systems from a molecular and atomic scale. In other words, it is the innovation and creation of items from scratch to high-performance products using new technological advancements (Centre for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2008). The breath-through in nanotechnology has brought about massive changes in the Information Technology (IT), making it a promising as well as a controversial technology in the future developments.
Impact of nanotechnology on IT
Nanotechnology has brought up great improvements in the IT field today. Most of the inventions in the computer manufacturing are as a result of the application of nanotechnology. Crawford (2016) observes that nanotechnology’s impact on IT can be deduced from two dimensions: use of nanotech materials in the creation of smaller and faster memory for computers and the use of quantum computer technology. Nanotech materials such as nanoscale mem-resistors, Phase Change Memories (PCM) and graphene transistors have been incorporated in computers. Unlike the old mem-resistors, nanoscale mem-resistors can keep memory states and data while in power-off modes (Crawford, 2016). With this invention, computers are more likely to develop human brain abilities in the near future.
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The PCM, on the other hand, is a form of memory that provides non-volatile storage (Crawford, 2016). The invention of nanotechnology is bound to see the addition of storage capacity in devices equipped with the PCM. This is so given the smallness nature of the nanotechnology which makes the PCM able to increase the basic memory density and capacities of devices (Crawford, 2016). This is a milestone achievement because many IT personnel suffer from low storage memories of computer devices which inconvenience their working.
In light of the second dimension, nanotechnology will result in advanced computer technology. Through quantum mechanics, nanotechnology will bring about quantum computers which will mark a new era of quantum computing (Crawford, 2016). This implies that binary/conventional computers will be eliminated, and the world will see the introduction of more robust and reliable super computers- the quantum computers. Again, this development will be quite significant as it will give birth to new ideas, which will result in further technological advancement in the field of IT.
Social and Ethical Issues in Dealing with Nanotechnology
Most scholars are in the argument that it is too soon to be able to deduce the social and ethical issues of nanotechnology (Sandler, 2009). These researchers hold the view that nanotechnology is useful given the wide-range of benefits that it has brought so far, especially in the field of IT. However, with all the advantages, nanotechnology has similarly brought along several social and ethical issues. According to Sandler (2009), the use of this technology has seen an increasing number of problems in social and institutional entities. For instance, it will result in unequal health opportunities amongst the population. This is because not all hospitals will be able to access Nano electronics. Most beneficiaries of the technology will be in the well developed areas.
Further, the use of nanotechnology raises several moral issues. The moral issues stem from the utilization of the technology in practices that are morally controversial (Sandler, 2009). A good example is the use of nanotechnology in the manufacture of deadly weapons. Such use of technology contravenes the moral fabric of the society and therefore, unethical. The creation of artificial beings is also another moral issue concerning nanotechnology. Also, since the potential risks of the technology remain uncertain, nanotechnology will make the world insecure. It is with these and many other factors that people have lost trust with this invention.
Nanotechnology has also brought about techno-cultural issues. These problems are in line with the social systems and structures where this technology is developing (Sandler, 2009). For instance, the use of this technological advancement has resulted in over-reliance on technology. People no longer want to work themselves as they believe technology will help solve their problems without much strain. It has led to a growing breed of individuals who are lazy and laidback.
Nanotechnology is also being criticized for transforming the human situation. The integration of nanotechnology with other emerging technologies might lead to the general transformation of the world (Sandler, 2009). It could change the standard being of the creatures and the environment around them. This will make the whole world lose its initial meaning, and it will be like a whole new world in the future. Take, for example, the integration of nanotech to robotics technology. This will result to the creation of artificial beings who almost think and act like man. This could mean that in the future people will no longer work since the robots will be doing all that man would have done. This means man will lose meaning of what it entails to be human (Sandler, 2009).
Nanotechnology and Telecommunication
The invention of nanotechnology has begun revolutionizing the telecommunication sector. The technology provides new, improved technology in information and sharing. This comes as a result of the transition from traditional electronic devices to nanotechnology electronics (Anwar, 2010). Nanotechnology is being used in developing ultra-integrated electronics which are combined with very powerful wireless technology. Sensors fitted with this nanotechnology have also been invented and powerful polytronic circuits developed.
The tech has also been used in the upgrading of diodes in electronics. Through Nano amplification and chip embedding, diodes which can maintain and neutralize electric flow have been built. Nanotechnology has reduced the size of these semiconductors (Anwar, 2010). With this advancement, electronics will be reduced in size, and their cost will also be reduced.
Data processing and transmission has seen the development of optoelectronic, optical, and electronic components. With the use of quantum dots and carbon nanotubes, nanoscale logical and storage components have been developed for the CMOS technology. This carbon nanotubes and layers are also efficient in the thermal management of electronics (Anwar, 2010). The nanotubes act as on-chip cooling elements where else the layers act as a heat sink for compact devices. Nanotechnology has also been used to improve wireless networking. It has led to the innovation of devices with higher frequencies. This improvement of frequency levels is achieved through the use of graphene transistors. These transistors will ensure communication happens over higher frequencies (Anwar, 2010).
In the recent past, radio frequencies had become overcrowded, hindering the flow of data traffic. This led to slow sharing of information and overlapping of frequencies. In curbing this problem, graphene nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) resonators were invented. The graphene strip enables the tuning of the operating frequency of the NEMS resonator over a bandwidth. This advancement offers promising grounds for the telecommunications sector as it will ensure increased and efficient sharing of information and communication.
Securing Nanotechnology
It is of great importance to secure this technology as it will redefine the future of our world. Protecting this technology means protecting the resources and ensuring that they do not get depleted because it deals with the atomic and molecular manipulation of resources. The scientists working with this nanotechnology should also beware of the consequences of using it.
Conclusion
This is one technology that is going to change our perspective of the world and its meaning too. It is going to bring an era of massive technological advancements like never before in the future. It is the technology that will turn the world to a technological hub. It will see the invention and innovation of super programs and technological products. Nanotechnology will revolutionize the world.
References
Anwar, S. (2010). Nanotechnology for telecommunications . Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. (2008). What is Nanotechnology? Retrieved from http://www.crnano.org/whatis.htm.
Sandler, R. (2016). Nanotechnology: The Social and Ethical Issues . Retrieved from http://www.nanotechproject.org/process/assets/files/7060/nano_pen16_final.pdf.
