2.

What is the current state of nanoscience and

nanotechnology?
Current knowledge of science at the nanoscale comes from developments in disciplines
such as chemistry, physics, life sciences, medicine and engineering. There are several
areas in which nanoscale structures are under active development or already in practical
use:
In materials science, nanoparticles allow for the making of products with mechanical properties
very different from those of conventional materials and can also improve surfaces by adding new
friction, wear or adhesion properties.
In biology and medicine, a greater understanding of the functioning of molecules and of the origin
of diseases on the nanometre scale has lead to improvements in drug design and
targeting.Nanomaterials are also being developed for analytical and instrumental applications,
including tissueengineering and imaging.
A wide variety of nanoscale materials and coatings are already in use in consumer products such
as cosmetics and sunscreens, fibres and textiles, dyes, and paints.

The smallest components of a computer chip are on a nanoscale.

Credit: NanoPrism Technologies, Inc.

The constant drive towards miniaturization in electronic engineeringhas led to devices that are
well within the nanometre range. Data storage devices based on nanostructures provide smaller,
faster, and lower consumption systems.
Optical devices have also benefited from this trend and new types of microscopes have been
invented, that can produce images of atomicand molecular processes at surfaces

2. Cul es la situacin actual de la nanociencia y la

nanotecnologa?
Los conocimientos actuales sobre la nanociencia provienen de avances en los campos de la
qumica, fsica, ciencias de la vida, medicina e ingeniera. Existen diversas reas en las que
lananotecnologa est en proceso de desarrollo o incluso en fase de aplicacin prctica.
En la ciencia de los materiales, las nanopartculas permiten la fabricacin de productos con
propiedades mecnicas nuevas, incluso en trminos de superficie de rozamiento, de resistencia al
desgaste y de adherencia.

Los componentes ms pequeos del chip de un ordenador se miden a nanoescala

Fuente: NanoPrism Technologies, Inc.

En biologa y medicina, los nanomateriales se emplean en la mejora del diseo de frmacos y su

administracin dirigida. Tambin se trabaja en el desarrollo de nanomateriales para instrumental y
equipos analticos.
Productos de consumo tales como cosmticos, protectores solares, fibras, textiles, tintes y
pinturas ya incorporan nanopartculas.
En el campo de la ingeniera electrnica, las nanotecnologas se emplean, por ejemplo, en el
diseo de dispositivos de almacenamiento de datos de menor tamao, ms rpidos y con un menor
consumo de energa.