SMALL
is the new big
Benefits
Research today shows that nanotechnology might be able to provide more sensitive detection systems for air and water quality monitoring, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters, a real time response capability, a less complex operation and lower running costs compared to conventional methods.
Nanoparticles can be beneficial in catalytic and remediation application. For example, metal oxide nanocatalysts are being developed for the prevention of pollution due to industrial emissions (e.g. DeNOx catalysts could be applied for the removal of nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel power plant emission gases) and the photo-catalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles can be exploited to create self-cleaning surfaces that reduce existing pollution. The use of nanomaterials and nanoparticles can also lead to significant savings in resources and efficiency increases in manufacturing and energy related applications. For example, energy related applications include nanostructured electrode materials for improving the performance of lithium ion batteries and nanoporous silicon and titanium dioxide in advanced photovoltaic cells.
What many transhumanists and nanotechnology advocates forget is that simple earth-based bacteria and viruses also operate on identical principles to the hypothetical "grey goo". A bacterium converts nutrients and water from the environment into organic matter for reproduction. If a bacterium were to divide every hour, there would be enough bacteria to cover the entire surface of the Earth after just a week.
Of course, we know this doesn't happen because limiting factors will eventually slow down and stop the rate of reproduction. Similarly, in a "grey goo" scenario, the self-replicating nanobots would not continue replicating forever. Eventually, the raw matter needed for replication would be exhausted and the replication rate would be reduced to a crawl.
Problems
Exposure to nanomaterials may occur unintentionally in the environment or through use of nanotechnology-enabled products. The concentration of nanomaterials in the environment will depend on factors such as the nature and amount of the nanomaterial released, its physical and chemical properties, and time. Nanomaterials released into the environment may undergo transformation by environmental conditions such as temperature and salinity, biological conditions such as habitat, and the presence of co-contaminants. In turn, the transformed nanomaterials may modify atmospheric, soil, or water chemistry. These transfomations may alter the form of the nanomaterials to which humans and ecosystems are exposed and which are transported through the environment. Biological or environmental systems may be exposed to these dispersed engineered nanomaterials and respond through systems and pathways designed to buffer exposures to substances that could perturb human health or adversely impact the environment.
“Grey goo" is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves.
With the advent of new technologies, including nanotechnology, one should consider the potential unintended consequences to human health and the environment that might accompany development and use of the technology. This assessment of the benefits to society and the potential hazards is called risk assessment which requires in-depth understanding the potential environmental, health, and safety impacts of nanotechnology.
Environmental Impact
Reproduced from http://youtu.be/chdfahBvWHo