How did this profession come about?

At the beginning of the 20th century, nuclear power began to develop, but then no one could have imagined that from particles of nanosize (as we said above, a nanometer is one billionth part of a meter), it is possible, as from cubes, to assemble structures that, moreover, they will perform certain tasks.

In 1959, physicist Richard Feynman first voiced the idea that if we cannot see some objects because they are very small in size, this does not mean that we cannot work with them and use them. After all, there is a microscope and other "smart" devices with which we can see nano-objects and work with them.

Feynman discovered that nature itself is engaged in intelligent and useful construction. The bricks are the cells that make up our body. The cell itself assembles molecules from different atoms that perform a variety of tasks. The scientist asked the question - why can't a person do the same and use the technologies that the cell owns, using these skills for their needs?

The era of nanotechnology has shown that we can change the structure of all living things by removing “harmful” cells and adding “good” ones. It is possible to change the structure of matter anywhere - in metals, designing computers of a new generation, and in living tissue, healing a patient from cancer.

The most surprising thing in nanotechnology is that the structures created by specialists can reproduce themselves and act independently, without human intervention, the main thing is to simply ask them an algorithm and "prompt" how they need to act. Scientists have introduced the concept of a "nanorobot" - a microscopic machine capable of making a smaller copy of itself and independently changing the structure of molecules and cells of any materials. A nanoengineer works with individual atoms and puts them in the "right place", and then these atoms are collected in special devices called "nanotubes."

What do nanoengineers do?

Treatment of diseases and disabilities

Currently, nanotechnologists are working to implant nanodevices - bioimplants - into the human body that will replace damaged parts of the body. Some of these devices, in the form of electrical circuits, enhance a person's sense of touch - for example, they help blind people use the Internet.

These devices recreate the work of the upper layer of the skin, sending electrical impulses to the brain, which perceives them as real sensations and, thus, can simulate sensations - for example, fingers that touch an object. Essentially, engineers have created a new type of artificial leather that can be positioned around an organ - a finger or even a heart. "Smart fingers" will be helpers for people who have lost skin sensitivity after burns or amputation of limbs.

Production of new useful materials

Nanoengineers have come up with many structures that improve things in the service of humans. For example, using carbon nanoparticles, you can create tough, wear-resistant rubber for tires that will last longer than the car itself. Alternatively, clothing could be developed with built-in sensors that provide accurate information about a person's well-being.

The most obvious application of nanotechnology in the modern world is in water repellent coatings on automotive glass. Very often there is a situation when our car is covered with a wave of water from under some oncoming car. Due to the stream of water and dirt that fell on the windshield, we practically do not see anything for several seconds. A few seconds of loss of visibility at high speeds is a big risk. And when the glass of the car is protected by a special coating, this wave of dirt and water simply breaks against the glass, practically not remaining on it. The traffic situation is always under control!

Computer chips and microcircuits

We all know how computers and the Internet have changed the world. A huge amount of data can fit on very small chips. However, nanotechnology has propelled the world of electronics many steps forward. Tiny particles the size of a molecule can store an enormous amount of information. Thus, a hard disk drive manufactured by a nanoengineer is capable of many times surpassing the existing data storages.

Energy

We all know that the main source of energy in the world is oil, from which gasoline is produced for our cars and heat and electricity for our homes. But solar energy is becoming increasingly important - as the safest and cleanest, not polluting the environment. American researchers have succeeded in improving the design of solar cells using carbon nanotubes. Electric current occurs as a result of chemical reactions that occur in blotches of dyes when exposed to sunlight. Now there is a hope that everyone will simply forget about oil and coal. There is enough energy from the Sun for everyone!