NanotechnologyIntro to Engineering & Design, B604.12.12By Shay TownsonPenelope CoxLaura Barr

What is nanotechnology?

Technology in the smallest possible levelmakes it possible to manipulate matter on the atomic and molecular scale

How would you explain to a 10 year old how small a nanometer is?

Nanometers are so small that one hair on your head is about 90 nanometers wide.

What is so groundbreaking about nanotechnology? What makes this field of science worthy of the funding it requires?

Nanotechnology can literally be applied to any field of human life, and used to improve the environment, the human condition, and living conditions of the entire world.

Where is nanotechnology being used today?

Some of the applications of nanotechnology are:Self-cleaning wool and silk whose altered particles “eat” stainsSunscreen that uses nanotechnology to absorb more light than normal brandsNano-engineered plastics and packaging productsSynthetic bone engineered with components that real bone is composed ofUsing nanotechnology to liquefy coal and convert it to gas

Nanotechnology is being developed primarily in the field of medicine

Here are some of the major ways in which nanotechnology is revolutionizing medicine:

Nanobots/nanocomputersCell repairCancer treatmentAgingHeart diseaseDrug deliverySeizuresDisease prevento\ionAnd many more. . .

The ProblemHuman nerve cells do not repair themselves.

This is because the human central nervous system does not produce enough growth-promoting molecules. When parts of the central nervous system are critically injured, it cannot generate new neurons nor regenerate damaged ones. This is thanks to a type of cell called the glial cell.

The Neuron

The CulpritsAround 90% of the cells in the CNS are glial cells, not neurons.These support the neurons by keeping the environment outside the neurons in suitable conditions. In the CNS, two types of glial “culprits” inhibit axon regeneration. These are called oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The growth-inhibited qualities of these cells help stabilize the CNS. These growth-inhibitors provide a cellular ‘scaffold’ so that neurons only sprout where they are intended, thus keeping the CNS organized.

The SolutionKokoro™

Nanomachines that can repair/enhance neural synapses/nervesArtificial axons and dendrites repair issues with neurons by connecting tissue and creating a pathway for the natural electrical pulses.Can function in groups of varying sizes, depends on programming

The Solution cont.Since neurons function with electrical pulses, the nanobots are programmed to detect certain electrical discrepancies in the brain/nervous system (depending on the condition of the patient).Injected into the spinal cord, travels up the CNSPowered by thermal energy and/or bioelectricityMade primarily out of carbon alloys

Advantages. . .Among the mental imperfections these nanobots can begin to repair, are:

Alzheimer’s diseaseHuntington’s diseaseDyslexiaAutismBrain damageEpilsepsy/strokeTourette’s syndromeParaplegiaMigrainesBrain damageAnd others. . .

Grand Challenges of Engineering

Our nanobot will be. . . Engineering better medicinesReserve-engineering the brain

Marketing

The Kokoro™ are packaged by the thousands in nanofiber tubes encased in plastic and shipped to hospitalsThree different sizes of tubes can be purchased, depending on insertion pointFor professional use only, cannot be purchased by individuals Each tube will run anywhere between $25,000 - $31,000