... hardware beyond the next decade, and will also let us fabricate an entire new generation of products that are cleaner, stronger, lighter, and more precise. What is Nanotechnology? The prefix "nano" means ten to the minus ninth power, or one billionth, so that a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. This is the unit of measure used to describe things on an ... virtually any conceivable structure that is not outside the basic laws of physics. • Have manufacturing costs not greatly exceeding the cost of the required raw materials and energy. When nano-scale machines move from their pres...

• Word Count: 2290
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... of issues surrounding nanotech, including, but not limited to, issues of safety, need fulfillment, accountability, control, the "gray goo" problem (which refers to the likelihood of self-replicating rogue nano-machines feeding off the biosphere) and resistance from nature. Safety, control and the "gray goo" problem refer to rogue machines, but also refer to the need (or lack thereof) for ... break-through" of nanotech (the ability to manufacture "assemblers" is seen as the breakthrough point) onwards. Information is needed to enlighten citizens of the potential dangers and benefits of th...

• Word Count: 2281
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate