What Exactly Is Nanotechnology? Iron Man Nanotech, A New Frontier, Nanotechnology explained

Future Now
26 Sept 202111:16

Summary

TLDRThis script explores the evolution of human construction from monumental structures to the miniaturization of technology, highlighting nanotechnology's potential to revolutionize various fields. It explains nanotechnology as manipulating matter at the atomic level, opening new dimensions with different physical laws. The script delves into nanotechnology's applications in medicine, energy, and materials, while also addressing ethical concerns and future possibilities, such as smart nanobots, combining AI and robotics.

Takeaways

  • 🏛️ Humans have historically favored large-scale constructions such as the Pyramids of Giza and Mexico, and structures like Easter Island statues and Stonehenge.
  • 💡 The notion that 'bigger is better' has been challenged in recent history with the advent of miniaturization in technology, as exemplified by the transition from the large Howard Mark 1 computer to modern smartphones.
  • 📱 The miniaturization of transistors has enabled the development of increasingly smaller and more powerful devices, significantly impacting our daily lives and connectivity.
  • 🔬 Nanotechnology, introduced by Norio Tanaguchi in 1972, involves manipulating matter at the molecular and atomic levels, with applications in various fields including medicine, energy, and materials science.
  • 🌌 Nanotechnology allows us to explore the quantum realm, where the laws of physics differ from those at the human scale, opening up new possibilities for innovation.
  • ⚛️ Everything in the universe, including humans and objects, is composed of atoms, whose arrangement determines their properties and functions.
  • 🧩 Nanotechnology is akin to using Lego blocks to build various structures, where atoms can be rearranged to create different forms and serve different purposes.
  • 💊 Nanotechnology has significant implications for biomedicine, with the potential to develop targeted treatments and improve the efficacy and safety of drugs.
  • ⚔️ The CRISPR gene-editing technology, which is based on nanotechnology, has been recognized with a Nobel Prize and is crucial in developing vaccines and treatments.
  • 🌞 Nanotechnology contributes to sustainable energy solutions, such as more efficient solar panels and lighter materials for wind turbines, helping to reduce the cost of clean energy.
  • 👕 Nanotechnology is also utilized in the textile industry to create advanced waterproof and stain-resistant fabrics, enhancing everyday clothing.
  • 🚀 While nanotechnology offers vast potential, it also presents ethical and safety concerns, such as the health implications of genetically modified crops and the misuse of gene-editing technologies.

Q & A

  • What is the historical preference of human beings when it comes to building structures?

    -Historically, human beings have preferred to build big structures, as evidenced by the pyramids of Giza and Mexico, Easter Island statues, and Stonehenge.

  • How has the concept of 'bigger is better' been challenged in the last century?

    -In the last century, the concept of 'bigger is better' has been challenged by the benefits of miniaturization, as demonstrated by the evolution of computers from large machines like the Howard Mark 1 to small, powerful devices like smartphones.

  • What is nanotechnology and what scale does it operate at?

    -Nanotechnology is the science of engineering materials, fabrication, and micro scale patterning at the molecular and atomic levels, operating at a scale smaller than 100 nanometers.

  • What is a nanometer and how does it compare to the size of a hydrogen atom?

    -A nanometer is one billionth of a meter, which is 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom.

  • How does the behavior of matter change at the nanoscale?

    -At the nanoscale, the ordinary rules of physics and chemistry no longer apply, and new dimensions open up where the laws of physics are different from those at the basic human size level.

  • What is an example used in the script to illustrate the concept of nanotechnology?

    -The script uses the example of 'Ant-Man' from the Avengers to illustrate the concept of nanotechnology, where time becomes relative to size.

  • How does nanotechnology relate to the arrangement of atoms?

    -Nanotechnology is about manipulating the arrangement of atoms to determine how objects appear and function, similar to how LEGO blocks can be used to build different structures.

  • What are some of the applications of nanotechnology mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions applications of nanotechnology in various fields including food, health, energy, agriculture, electronics, environment, and biomedicine.

  • How has nanotechnology been used in medical treatments and medicines?

    -Nanotechnology has been used to create more effective medical treatments and medicines that target the affected area, increasing the rate of healing and reducing negative side effects.

  • What is the significance of the Nobel Prize-winning research on CRISPR in relation to nanotechnology?

    -CRISPR is a nanotechnology-based gene editing methodology that allows scientists to edit genes for more effective treatments, which has been used in vaccines to fight against pandemics.

  • What are some of the potential drawbacks and disadvantages of nanotechnology mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions potential drawbacks such as the adverse health effects of some genetically modified food crops and the ethical concerns surrounding gene editing, as exemplified by the case of He Jiankui.

  • What future developments in nanotechnology are hinted at in the script?

    -The script hints at the future development of smart nanobots, which combine nanotechnology with AI and robotics, potentially transforming various aspects of life as seen in science fiction.

Outlines

00:00

🏗️ The Evolution of 'Bigger is Better' to Miniaturization

This paragraph delves into the historical human tendency to construct large-scale monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and Mexico, Easter Island statues, and Stonehenge. It contrasts this with the modern scientific revelation that smaller can be better, exemplified by the evolution of computers from the massive Howard Mark 1 to the compact, powerful smartphones of today. The paragraph introduces nanotechnology as the science of manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular levels, smaller than 100 nanometers, and discusses the quantum realm where traditional physics and chemistry rules change. It emphasizes the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize various aspects of life in the coming decades.

05:02

🌌 Nanotechnology: From Stardust to Life's Building Blocks

The second paragraph explores the origins of elements within the human body, such as iron from dying stars and gold from kilonova explosions, highlighting the cosmic journey of atoms and their ability to be rearranged for different purposes. It discusses nanotechnology's potential, referencing Eric Drexler's vision of a nano scale assembler capable of replicating anything from raw materials. The paragraph outlines nanotechnology's applications in various fields, including biomedicine, energy, and materials science, and touches on the ethical and health implications of genetically modified organisms and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR.

10:03

🛠️ Nanotechnology's Ethical Challenges and Future Prospects

The final paragraph addresses the ethical considerations and potential misuses of nanotechnology, as illustrated by the case of Chinese researcher He Jiankui's controversial gene-editing experiments. It also looks forward to the integration of nanotechnology with robotics and AI to create smart nanobots, suggesting a future where such technology could become as prevalent as in science fiction. The paragraph concludes by inviting viewers to share their thoughts on nanotechnology and its future applications, and encourages subscription for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the science of engineering materials at the molecular and atomic levels, typically manipulating matter at a scale smaller than 100 nanometers. It is central to the video's theme, illustrating the evolution from large-scale human achievements to the miniaturization and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale. The script mentions nanotechnology's potential in various fields, including medicine, energy, and materials science.

💡Miniaturization

Miniaturization refers to the process of making technology or objects smaller in size. The video discusses the historical preference for large structures like the pyramids and contrasts it with modern advancements in miniaturization, such as the transition from the large Howard Mark 1 computer to smartphones with greater computing power.

💡Quantum realm

The quantum realm is a term used to describe the behavior of particles at the quantum level, where classical physics no longer applies. In the context of the video, the quantum realm is used to illustrate the unique properties and behaviors of matter at the nanoscale, such as the time dilation experienced by Ant-Man in the script's example.

💡Transistors

Transistors are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. They are a fundamental component of modern electronics. The script discusses the reduction in the size of transistors as a key factor enabling the development of smaller and more powerful computers and smart devices.

💡Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The video script mentions GMOs in the context of agriculture, discussing their potential to increase crop yield and quality, as well as the controversy surrounding their health effects.

💡CRISPR

CRISPR is a revolutionary gene-editing technology that allows for precise manipulation of an organism's DNA. The script highlights CRISPR as an example of nanotechnology applied in biomedicine, with the potential for more effective treatments and the ethical considerations it raises.

💡Sustainable Energy

Sustainable energy refers to the practice of using renewable energy sources that can maintain their replenishment over time. The video discusses nanotechnology's role in developing more efficient solar panels and lighter materials for wind turbines, contributing to the cost reduction and advancement of sustainable energy solutions.

💡Nanosphere

Nanosphere is a treatment mentioned in the script that involves coating fabrics with nanoparticles to create waterproof, dirt, and dust-proof clothing. It exemplifies the practical applications of nanotechnology in everyday products.

💡Smart Nanobots

Smart nanobots are hypothetical microscopic robots that could perform tasks at the cellular level within the human body or in the environment. The video script envisions a future where nanotechnology, combined with AI and robotics, could lead to the development of such nanobots, indicating a significant leap in technological capabilities.

💡Kilonova

A kilonova is an astronomical event resulting from the collision and merger of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. The script uses kilonova as an example to explain the cosmic origins of heavy elements like gold, highlighting the connection between astronomical phenomena and the elements that make up our world.

💡Ant-Man

Ant-Man is a fictional superhero from the Marvel Comics universe, known for his ability to change size. The script uses Ant-Man as an analogy to explain the relativity of time and motion at different scales, particularly at the nanoscale where the laws of physics differ from those at the human scale.

Highlights

History shows humans' preference for large-scale construction, such as the pyramids of Giza and Mexico.

The benefits of 'going small' are demonstrated through the evolution of computers, from the large Howard Mark 1 to modern smartphones.

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at scales smaller than 100 nanometers, impacting physics and chemistry rules.

Nanotechnology allows exploration of the quantum realm, where the laws of physics differ from the macroscopic world.

Atoms can be rearranged to form different objects and functions, likened to the versatility of LEGO blocks.

Elements in the human body, such as iron and gold, originate from cosmic events like supernovae and kilonovas.

Nanotechnology gained public interest with Eric Drexler's book, proposing a nanoscale assembler for material replication.

Nanotechnology has applications in various fields including food, health, energy, agriculture, electronics, and the environment.

In biomedicine, nanotechnology is used to create targeted treatments and improve the function and stability of nano-sized structures.

Nanotechnology has been instrumental in formulating anti-cancer drugs and the development of the CRISPR gene-editing technology.

Kyoto University developed a nanotechnology-based semiconductor for more efficient solar energy production.

Nanoparticles are used in fabrics to create waterproof and dirt-repellent clothing.

Genetically modified seeds and nanotechnology are used in the food industry to improve crop yield and quality.

Nanotechnology is employed in the meat industry to detect pathogens and bacterias with fluorescent nanoparticles.

While nanotechnology offers vast potential, it also presents challenges such as health effects of GMOs and ethical considerations in gene editing.

The future of nanotechnology may include smart nanobots, combining nanotechnology with AI and robotics.

Transcripts

play00:06

human beings have a habit of building

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big just a casual look through history

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we'll show you that whenever humans have

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developed we've preferred to go big the

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pyramids of giza and mexico are a prime

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example

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then you've got the easter island

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statues and stonehenge just to name a

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few

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but is bigger always better

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in the last century scientists have

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shown us that going small can also have

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its benefits

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look at the evolution of computers for

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instance the first computer developed by

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ibm the howard mark 1 was over 50 feet

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long and weighed over 5 tons

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today phones that fit in the palm of our

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hand have greater computing power than

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the first computer ever made

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the reduction in the size of transistors

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has allowed us to build smaller and

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smaller computers and smart devices if

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we look back just three decades ago

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you'll probably remember that we used to

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have big bulky telephones that we

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couldn't take anywhere

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the internet was a new concept and life

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was very different three decades later

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we've got smartphones 24 7 connectivity

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and a completely changed lifestyle all

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thanks to how successfully we've managed

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to miniaturize technology

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we're now at the cusp of yet another

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revolution that will completely change

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the way we live in the next two to three

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decades

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this change is going to be a mixture of

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various ongoing revolutions such as the

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fintech revolution ai development and

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nanotechnology which is the topic we'll

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be covering in this video

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the term nano was first introduced by

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norio tanaguchi in 1972 to describe the

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science of assembling atoms into new

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forms but back then it wasn't that

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widely known or understood

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nanotechnology is the science of

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engineering material fabrication and

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micro scale patterning at the molecular

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and atomic levels

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this nanotechnology involves the

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manipulation of matter at a scale

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smaller than 100 nanometers a nanometer

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is 1 billionth of a meter which is 10

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times the diameter of a hydrogen atom

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to put this in perspective the diameter

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of a human hair is on average 80 000

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nanometers

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making new things at such a small scale

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is called nanotechnology

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at such scales the ordinary rules of

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physics and chemistry no longer apply

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to prevent this video from getting too

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complex it'll be easier to understand

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nanotechnology through the example of

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ant-man

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if you've seen the avengers you'll know

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that every time ant-man shrunk himself

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time became relative to him

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ant-man in his shrunken form appeared to

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move faster than his normal-sized

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friends and enemies similarly when he

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became bigger during the fight scene in

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civil war

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time kind of slowed down for him

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his normal movements took too long which

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allowed spider-man and iron man to bring

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him down easily

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this is the same effect that makes it

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almost impossible to catch a fly

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from the perspective of a fly we

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literally move in slow motion

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now if you keep going smaller from human

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size to ant size and from ant size to

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the size of a molecule and even further

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from molecular size to subatomic size

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at each new level a new dimension will

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open where the laws of physics will not

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be the same to you as they were on the

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basic human size level

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this is called the quantum realm in the

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simplest of terms

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nanotechnology therefore allows us to

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explore uncharted territory

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the possibilities are endless because

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we're just beginning to understand what

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we can accomplish with this technology

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think of it like this

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the basic unit of matter is the atom

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everything that we see and feel around

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us is made of atoms you're made of atoms

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the phone that you have in your hand the

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couch you're maybe sitting on or the car

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that you drive everything is made of

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atoms even the air we breathe and the

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water we drink is made of atoms

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so the question is if everything's made

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of atoms

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why do we then have different forms

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shapes objects and colors

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well it turns out that the way in which

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atoms are arranged determines how

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anything appears and functions

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this is similar to a lego

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you can use lego blocks to build

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anything

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the same lego block can be used to make

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a car or a building

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similarly atoms can be used to make

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anything but once they join together to

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form a certain shape they then take the

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physical and chemical properties of that

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object

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let's look at another example to make

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this even more interesting

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the human body has numerous elements in

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it our blood has iron which is very

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important for strength

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we have zinc in our bodies which is

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needed for the immune system we even

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have traces of gold silver and copper in

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our blood

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all of these minerals and elements are

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needed for the body to function properly

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but the question is where did this iron

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come from

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irons not naturally found on earth

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every last bit of iron present on earth

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once came from the core of a star

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and stars only make iron when they're

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about to die out

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similarly there's no way to make gold

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naturally

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gold in the entire universe is only

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created when two neutron stars or a

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neutron star and a black hole collide

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and merge

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this explosion is called a kilonova and

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it's the only place in the universe

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where gold and heavier elements can be

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created

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the gold in our bloodstream was once a

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part of some kilonova billions of years

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ago

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so the same atom that was once inside a

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dying star is now inside our bodies

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giving us life and strength

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this whole explanation shows us that

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atoms can be rearranged to take

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different forms and fulfill different

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functions

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the ability to manipulate atoms in this

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manner is what we call nanotechnology

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the term nanotechnology gained traction

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around the late 80s with the publication

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of eric drexler's book the coming era of

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nanotechnology

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in this book eric drexler discussed

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nanotechnology at length and proposed a

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nano scale assembler

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a type of device that can use available

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raw material to build a replica of

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anything

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to understand this concept think of a 3d

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printer that can print anything if you

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have the right raw materials

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the idea is quite common in games like

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prey where you can recycle objects break

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them down into atoms and then fabricate

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anything you want from the available

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atoms the process of fabrication is not

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fictional it's an actual process that's

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being used to create nanotechnology that

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is already a part of our daily lives

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nanotechnology has far-reaching

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applications in various fields including

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the food health energy agriculture

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electronics and environment

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it's also used for medicinal purposes

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the human body is full of nano-sized

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structures such as proteins dna and

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cells

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nanotechnology offers promising results

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to improve their function and stability

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biomedicine is an important area for

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nanotechnology research

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nanotechnology can be used to create

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more effective medical treatments and

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medicines that target the affected area

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to increase the rate of healing and

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reduce the negative side effects and

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treatment

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several anti-cancer drugs including

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heckle taxal

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bison

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5-fluorocell and dexamethasone have been

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successfully formulated using

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nanomaterials

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these drugs have been used for cancer

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treatment for over a decade now

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more recently nanotechnology came into

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the limelight when a team of researchers

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won the nobel prize for crispr

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which is a nanotechnology-based

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gene editing methodology that allows

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scientists to cut and paste our genes

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for more effective treatment this is the

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same technology that's being used in

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vaccines to fight against the deadly

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pandemic

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nanotechnology is also being used to

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develop cost-effective ways to generate

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sustainable energy

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kyoto university has developed a

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semiconductor through nanotechnology

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that can absorb twice the amount of

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sunlight to create more energy than

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conventional solar panels

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similarly nanotechnology is being used

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to create lighter and cheaper materials

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for wind turbines

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this is one key reason why the cost of

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creating sustainable energy is

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continuously coming down

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nanotechnology is also being used in

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fabrics to create next generation

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waterproof clothing

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shoulder technologies is using a

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treatment called nanosphere to coat

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fabrics with nanoparticles making them

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not only waterproof but also dirt and

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dust proof

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now that's a breakthrough i can get on

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board with

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another great example of nanotechnology

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being used in our lives is the food

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industry

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genetically modified seeds produce more

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and better quality crops with increased

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nutrients

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genetically modified crops also don't

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need pesticides so they end up reducing

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the cost of food to start with

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nanotechnology is also being used in the

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meat industry to mark meat with

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fluorescent nanoparticles that can

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indicate the presence of certain

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pathogens and bacterias

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while nanotechnology has seemingly

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endless possibilities it also has a few

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drawbacks and disadvantages that need to

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be carefully assessed

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for instance on one hand genetically

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modified seeds have the solution to end

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global hunger and malnutrition but on

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the other hand there are also adverse

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health effects of some genetically

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modified food crops

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companies that excel in gmo food crops

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have been sued for potentially harmful

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effects on humans

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crispr is another prime example of how

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unrelated nanotechnology can cause

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potential harm

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he jankui the chinese researcher

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conducted gene editing tests on human

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subjects without prior approval he used

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gene editing on two twins with

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hiv-positive parents in an attempt to

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create children immune to the virus

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jonqui's attempt landed him in prison

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stripping him of his titles and

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privileges

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eventually the benefits of

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nanotechnology will push it towards

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increased acceptance in every field of

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life

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nanotechnology is already around us but

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now it's going to morph into something

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that we've only seen in fiction

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imagine the possibilities if

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nanotechnology can be combined with

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robots and ai

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yes we're talking about smart nanobots

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which are still in their early

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developmental stage but this is the

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future guys

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not just nanotechnology but smart

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nanobots

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and that's a wrap

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what did you think about nanotechnology

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are you excited to see how it'll be used

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in the future let us know what you think

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in the comments down below and like

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always if you enjoyed the video make

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sure you subscribe to our channel and

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stay up to date with all our latest

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releases other than that thanks for

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watching and i'll see you in the next

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video

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[Music]

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you

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