Regarded as the invention of the century, nanotechnology is gradually changing human lives in all fields, from medicine to protect health or environment to space flight. While the 20th century was considered the time of technology, the 21st century will be the time of nanotechnology.
Nano world
The United States is very interested in nanotechnology. Former President Bill Clinton established the National Nanotechnology Initiative. President George Bush spent US$710 million on nanotechnology research in 2003 from just US$604 million in 2002. Americans hope nanotechnology will produce perfect applications for health, education, energy, transport and justice. The military application is still a priority in the US. So, the US Department of Defence joined hands with MIT to set up MIT Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. This institute was tasked to create special fabrics that help chemical legions be free from toxic fumes emitted enemies. The fabrics contract alone was worth US$50 million (valid through 2013).
Not only the US, Japan and South Korea also identified five major driving forces for nanotechnology research and application: Strengthening investment and cooperation in applied research; Developing infrastructure for nanotechnology research and application, taking into account the needs of industries and research institutions; Supporting researcher education and training; Ensuring favourable conditions for transfer and innovation of technology to bring nanotechnology knowledge into products and industrial processes. Besides, many other countries harbour the ambition of mastering nanotechnology like China, Israel and India.
Breakthroughs
Stepping into the 21st century, developed nations have significantly increased their budgets for nanotechnology development. Given the current progress in scientific development, nanotechnology will probably become a reality in the near future.
Nanotechnology is involved in designing, analysing, fabricating, and applying structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size on the nanometre scale. A nanometre equals to one billionth of a metre. With its super-tiny size, nano is widely used in our daily life. In the ICT industry, big companies in the world have used nano manufacture company electronic devices. Apple Inc, the maker of iPhone, introduced nano-SIM card. This tiny SIM card with a 3mm2 nano chip has a huge storage capacity of up to 100Gb and has lightning processing speed. In the future, we do not have to worry about our phone’s battery drain because this extraordinary technology will use nano fibres to transform human body temperature into electrical energy.
In medicine, nanotechnology has made a breakthrough in the early detection of incurable diseases such as cancer and HIV. Especially, nano materials are used to prevent aging, increase the lifespan of nerve cells (neurons) by 3-4 folds, boost human longevity, and kill diseases. With alcohol and hydrogen, scientists have successfully created artificial muscles which are stronger than human muscles by 100 times. This is a breakthrough to make self-control robots, and artificial limbs for humans. Scientists at the University of Washington (US) are cherishing a project aimed at designing electronic eyes by implanting a tiny electronic circuit board into contact lenses to help the blind see images as normal people.
To resolve environmental problems, they can create pollutant filters with nanotechnology. This technology is now being applied quite widely in France to filter wastewater. Some companies are using nano particles with paints, sunglasses and carbon tubes used in the electronics industry. Carbon tubes can be used in many products such as transistors, mobile phones, cars and even cosmetics.
Future for Vietnam
Nanotechnology is in common use in many countries around the world but it remains in limited use in Vietnam. Since 2004, a lot of events vis-a-vis nanotechnology have been opened and the media have also boosted the popularity of this advanced technology. 2012 marked a great leap of Vietnam to keep up with world technological trends.
The public is quite familiar to the term “nano” and its benefits in real life. To meet the high demand, some companies have successfully distributed nanotechnology applications like VCI Vietnam Nanotechnology Joint Stock Company and Thien Phu Nano Co., Ltd. These companies pioneered to bring nanotechnology to construction, health and motorised vehicles.
Vietnam is on the path to deep international integration and it is attempting to fulfil its commitments to sustainable development and green tech application. It is hoped that the Government will have specific policies and incentives for green-tech businesses to open a new era for nanotechnology in Vietnam and facilitate its integration into the world.
Nguyen Phuc Hung
Vietnamese
