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Make it and own it!
This week Science has become more interesting, with a little peep into the future. It may not make a lot of sense right now, but to help you understand, make a recollection of a Science fiction movie you have seen before.
A Sci-Fi, as they are known, are movies that put imagination to task. You are meant to believe an idea that may not even be real at all. Talk about alien invasion, robot revolutions and so on.
The same concept is proving to be somewhat similar to our topic for this week on nanotechnology.
Talking deep into the phenomenon will seem to be another one of the science fiction talk but the good thing about it is that nano- technology might be the future but traces of it have already begun to surface.
Cool Lifestyle once again visited the science and technology chambers and we had an insight into this branch of science and technology, thanks to Dr Maponga, the technical director of nanotechnology in Zimbabwe.
“Nanotechnology is an interesting part of Science because it touches on both Biology (which encapsulates all living things) and Physics (non living things) and as long as you are on this earth there is no escaping it,” he said.
Although the answer to what nanotechnology proved to be complex, as expected, the long and short of it is that it refers to the production of functional systems at molecular level.
Nano, as a unit of measurement refers to a billionth of a metre, the nanometre, implying that a particle is controlled at its smallest practical state.
“Everything and everyone is made up of a pattern that can be called its DND.
“Nanotechnology involves manipulation of things at such a small scales like at its molecules. It is more effective to do this and is you look at how the HI virus,” he said.
Like mentioned by the nano technical director, the HIV virus works in the same way as the nano concept because the virus penetrates into the small cells that make up a person’s systems. Its effects are powerful and the virus is in a way untouchable since they are in the small cells.
“Nano particles are arranged into basically anything to give them special features. We have a consignment of nano products from the United Kingdom that the Ministry of Science and Technology is yet to put on display for the public to see.
“The products include sports goods, cosmetics and other equipment,” he said.
A close look at all these products did not reveal anything unique but because of the Nano particles, they had special qualities.
The tennis ball, for example, during its manufacturing carbon particles were embedded in it and because of that, the ball bounces better.
The racket had carbon nano tubes embedded into its strings so that no matter how many times it is used, the strings will never break. Just like the ball, the there is no need to change rackets during a game.
There pair of socks found on the stock was special in that once they are worn, they will never smell even if they are not washed for days. How that works; silver particles are incorporated into the material.
One of silver’s properties is sanitising by killing bacteria. That characteristic kills odour producing bacteria so the pair of socks will never smell.
“Nano is not limited to these products but different gadgets and in extreme cases, the technology can also be used in Biology where the DNA of a person can be used to for cloning (producing an identical copy).
“The health sector can also be transformed with nano breakthroughs in medicine” he said.
Nanotechnology is set to bring about remarkable changes around the globe. We are a few steps away from experiencing a reality that seem to be Science fiction in today’s world.
“Imagine driving your car and once you reach your destination you press a button and then it folds into a little box to save on parking space. Imagine wearing a shirt that does not need to be washed because it cannot get dirty.
“All this is may seem impossible but look at technologies like 3D technology. If someone had been told about it before it was developed, they would have taken us for fools,” he said.
All said, it is time to embrace nanotechnology because it is here to stay. When it fully takes over, do not be caught unawares.
Online Reporter