Nanofoundry
Encyclopedia
A nanofoundry is considered to be a foundry
that performs on a scale similar to nanotechnology
. This concept makes it similar to the role that the nanofactory
would play because it is considered to be a factory
that operates on that same scale model. The closest thing that nature has to a nanofoundry is the simple biological cell
.
biology attempts to duplicate nature by creating a virtual cell with the complete cycle of metabolism. The idea of creating an artificial cell along with working nanofoundries is highlighted in the phenomena of bioconvergence
; which may advance us from the Information Age
to the "Nanotechnology Age." Nanofoundries and artificial cells are creating a world where health care
, the very definition of "medicine", along with life
itself is entering a state of transition. This phenomena is directly in parallel with changes in the procedures used in agriculture
, managing our bioresources, ultimately leading up to the de facto equivalent of bio-engineering entire ecosystems from scratch.
the latest area of research involved using both micro- and nano-focused ion beam
s is found using nanomachining
. Preliminary studies have indicated that tissues can be successfully grown on three-dimensional structures while using ion beams on a substrate.
On a larger scale, materials that appear to be smooth still have an abrasive appearance to them. Using the nanoscale, however, atom
s rub off one a time. This creates new challenges for researcher
s who build their devices that are only 10 atoms wide.
in Chennai
, Tamil Nadu
, India
. Knowledge about nanotechnology would be converted into useful consumer goods through the usage of nanofoundries. Scientists do not want nanotechnology to be confined to publishing research paper
s in journals when it could be useful for creating nanotechnology-enhanced consumer products that would be beneficial in 21st century society. By converting the nanotechnology curriculum of the major universities into a more industry-oriented format, it makes the technology more practical for employers as well as consumers.
The ability to grow more complex structures with a high ratio allows for drug
release devices, biosensor
s, nanoreactor
s, and other countless discoveries. During the following decades to come, researchers will scramble to construct the world's first nuclear nanobeam complex. This facility would offer state-of-the-art facilities to a wide range of disciplines; including the conventional sciences.
Commercial manufacturing could easily be scaled up thanks to nanofoundries.
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
that performs on a scale similar to nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
. This concept makes it similar to the role that the nanofactory
Molecular assembler
A molecular assembler, as defined by K. Eric Drexler, is a "proposed device able to guide chemical reactions by positioning reactive molecules with atomic precision". Some biological molecules such as ribosomes fit this definition. This is because they receive instructions from messenger RNA and...
would play because it is considered to be a factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
that operates on that same scale model. The closest thing that nature has to a nanofoundry is the simple biological cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
.
General information
In silicoIn silico
In silico is an expression used to mean "performed on computer or via computer simulation." The phrase was coined in 1989 as an analogy to the Latin phrases in vivo and in vitro which are commonly used in biology and refer to experiments done in living organisms and outside of living organisms,...
biology attempts to duplicate nature by creating a virtual cell with the complete cycle of metabolism. The idea of creating an artificial cell along with working nanofoundries is highlighted in the phenomena of bioconvergence
Bioconvergence
Bioconvergence is the merger of previously distinct technologies into a new form; requiring new theories, new products, and new practices....
; which may advance us from the Information Age
Information Age
The Information Age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Digital Age, is an idea that the current age will be characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult or impossible to find previously...
to the "Nanotechnology Age." Nanofoundries and artificial cells are creating a world where health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, the very definition of "medicine", along with life
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
itself is entering a state of transition. This phenomena is directly in parallel with changes in the procedures used in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, managing our bioresources, ultimately leading up to the de facto equivalent of bio-engineering entire ecosystems from scratch.
the latest area of research involved using both micro- and nano-focused ion beam
Ion beam
An ion beam is a type of charged particle beam consisting of ions. Ion beams have many uses in electronics manufacturing and other industries. A variety of ion beam sources exist, some derived from the mercury vapor thrusters developed by NASA in the 1960s.-Ion beam etching or sputtering:One type...
s is found using nanomachining
Nanorobotics
Nanorobotics is the emerging technology field of creating machines or robots whose components are at or close to the scale of a nanometer . More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with devices ranging in size from...
. Preliminary studies have indicated that tissues can be successfully grown on three-dimensional structures while using ion beams on a substrate.
On a larger scale, materials that appear to be smooth still have an abrasive appearance to them. Using the nanoscale, however, atom
Atom
The atom is a basic unit of matter that consists of a dense central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons...
s rub off one a time. This creates new challenges for researcher
Researcher
A researcher is somebody who performs research, the search for knowledge or in general any systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions.-Examples of research institutions:...
s who build their devices that are only 10 atoms wide.
Current progress
One of the first nanofoundries has been set up at the University of MadrasUniversity of Madras
The University of Madras is a public research university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the three oldest universities in India...
in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Knowledge about nanotechnology would be converted into useful consumer goods through the usage of nanofoundries. Scientists do not want nanotechnology to be confined to publishing research paper
Academic publishing
Academic publishing describes the subfield of publishing which distributes academic research and scholarship. Most academic work is published in journal article, book or thesis form. The part of academic written output that is not formally published but merely printed up or posted is often called...
s in journals when it could be useful for creating nanotechnology-enhanced consumer products that would be beneficial in 21st century society. By converting the nanotechnology curriculum of the major universities into a more industry-oriented format, it makes the technology more practical for employers as well as consumers.
The ability to grow more complex structures with a high ratio allows for drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
release devices, biosensor
Biosensor
A biosensor is an analytical device for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological component with a physicochemical detector component.It consists of 3 parts:* the sensitive biological element A biosensor is an analytical device for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological...
s, nanoreactor
Nanoreactor
Nanoreactors are a form of chemical reactor that are particulary in the disciplines of nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology. These special reactos are crucial in maintaining a working nanofoundry; which is essentially a foundry that manufactures products on a nanotechnological scale.-General...
s, and other countless discoveries. During the following decades to come, researchers will scramble to construct the world's first nuclear nanobeam complex. This facility would offer state-of-the-art facilities to a wide range of disciplines; including the conventional sciences.
Commercial manufacturing could easily be scaled up thanks to nanofoundries.