Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Science Vocab: Nanotechnology

Simply put it is tiny technology – very tiny, in the nanoscale. Basically it is tiny machines and even computers at the molecular level.


A recent paper in Science explains how bacteria with flagella (those little whips, think to the might Euglena from your Biology class, or one better, sperm) move and stop.

The flagella attaches to the base of the bacteria and is engaged by a clutch device. Yes, just like your stick shift car. To stop the bacteria releases a protein that disengages the clutch from the engine and that’s how bacteria stop moving.

No talk of the exact applications, but my creative mind is racing – medicine delivery, micro-mechanics, etc. Read the complete story. Microscopic "Clutch" Puts Flagellum in Neutral.
Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, the umbrella field, are exciting and promising field of life sciences, engineering, physics, and medicine rolled all into one. And Biotechnology is perhaps the fastest growing science-related job field. And technicians are needed to move research and innovation along. Though typically, science professionals possess higher degrees, many technical work levels don’t require college degrees. Lots of career and job growth...
However, a post-secondary education is needed, usually at the associate' or community college level, and the pay potential is great. Here are great career opportunities, but a firm foundation in science and math is needed in order to take advantage of these opportunities.

4 comments:

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

u know i sell the bio chip injection kits for dogs in my store
talk about 10 to the negative ninth

The Urban Scientist said...

Yeah - imagine doing something like that but it killed heartworms

or for people - an nanotech pace maker.

No downtime.

Anonymous said...

Well, don't get me started on nanotechnology!! How about nanomachines that are injected into your bloodstream - mission: search and destroy cancer cells!! Or what about magnetic nanomaterials used in conjunction with drug delivery systems. Apply an external magnetic field and you can have pain medication deleivered to a specific neuro receptor. It's great to be on the planet!

The Urban Scientist said...

great ideas.