Nanotechnology, Plastics, and Your Investments

Abstract

Materials have defined civilization -- Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. Throughout history new materials have changed our lives, from steel in the Industrial Revolution, to nylon and new plastics in the post-World War II economy, to silicon in the Information Age.

Scientists now can manipulate materials atom by atom to create new materials on the nanometer scale (one billionth of a meter ­ a mere 5 atoms across). Here physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering begin to merge to form promising exciting possibilities for advances in technology and medicine.

Professor Epstein will introduce the field of nanotechnology and the structures that may be created by both "top-down" and "bottom-up" fabrication. These new systems may show new phenomena with unusual properties. These novel functions bring opportunities for both improved and new products. For example, nanomachines can be carved out of familiar materials to do work on this tiny scale. Chemical control of surfaces can lead to control of biological cell growth. Manipulation of molecules may lead to ultra-fast computer chips. Placement of atoms on a surface can lead to exotic "quantum corrals" of possible use in high-powered "quantum computing." Nanoscale control of polymers already has led to next generations of plastics and innovative electronic and magnetic technologies such as bright light-weight flexible displays for cell phones and computers, and using light to turn magnets on and off to control motors and computers.

Nanotechnologies will have an impact on our jobs and Wall Street during the coming few decades. What will we call the next age of civilization?