As nanotechnology becomes more prevalent, it has been widely used in technology, the economy, and our daily lives. Chips and CPUs, a typical example of nanotechnology, have made electrical appliances like smartphones more user-friendly. While some may not know, nanotechnology is also used to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar panels.
First, a nanometer is about ten times the size of an atom. It is so small that you cannot see it even when you are using a light microscope, it can only be seen with unique, high-powered microscopes. Additionally, nanotechnology offers faster, smaller, and more portable systems. Remember the first computer ever made? It is more than 15 metres long, weighing five tons! Compared to Apple’s iMac nowadays, that sounds mad, isn’t it? \ Sophisticated, extraordinary, convenient. Apple’s iMac 24”, transformed by the M1 chip, weighs less than 5 kilograms. M1, the most powerful chip that Apple has created thus far, consists of 16 billion transistors. It was built on a 5-nanometer process by TSMC, the world’s dedicated semiconductor foundry.
Apart from electronic devices, nanotechnology is also used in other applications. For instance, energy crisis, catalysts, and self-cleaning. Nanotechnology can help solve the energy crisis by manufacturing hybrid cars, generating solar and wind energy, hydropower, etcetera. I remember having Geography classes where my teacher taught us about biofuels, which are renewable and can reduce CO2 emissions. Not only can nanotechnology help maintain energy supply, but also lower energy costs and save our planet.
Just like one would say, nanotechnology is found in our everyday lives, from electricity to medicines that save lives. It is more powerful than what we expect. Nanotechnology brings us painless drug delivery, imagine yourself taking jabs that do not bring pain when you were young, you wouldn’t have cried so hard, right?
Due to scoliosis, I had back pain for 6 months and it really affected my daily life. I used to visit the clinic weekly but the medicines did not work. Eventually, I tried applying hot packs to relieve the pain and my back recovered gradually. Looking back, those days were extremely tough...
Prof. HO’s lecture has broadened my horizon and made me know more about nanotechnology and medicines. One day I would like to break down nanos via top-down and bottom-up approaches and do plenty of research and experiments on medicines. Most importantly, preventing people from suffering from what I experienced again!