Science & the Nano Future: A Student’s View by You-Gyung "Christine" Oh

The following was written by You-Gyung "Christine" Oh, an undergraduate natural science biochemistry student as her perspective on the promise of a nanotechnological future, and her excitement about science. Christine feels it is important to communicate to young people about science.

Science has enabled us to discover and invent great things and to live a better life. According to wikipedia, “science is the scientific method or the organized body of knowledge gained by this process.” Scientific method refers to a process that includes observation, investigation, and experimentation in order to acquire, correct, and integrate certain types of knowledge.

What is a goal of science? The basic purpose of science is to provide understanding of several aspects of the physical world and to engineer useful applications to control them. More specifically, through health science, biological and chemical interactions in a human body can be studied and the knowledge gained can be used to treat and prevent diseases.

As a student majoring in biochemistry, I had to ask myself, “So why study science?” There were several reasons why I chose science. First of all, scientists can invent something that will dramatically change and directly promote our lives. There are many great inventions and discoveries that were made by scientists—for  example, electronics, the telephone, the television, the internet, aircraft, penicillin, and vaccines. These inventions have brought wealth and comfort to many. I wanted to be somebody who could make a difference to the world I live in. I wanted to be someone who invents a panacea and saves humanity. I may be able to find a way to treat a flu pandemic someday. Some other students and scientists may be able to find a way to treat AIDS, obesity, and cancer. Some may invent weather wands, an instant sleep chamber, a teleport system, and all that are seen in movies and science-fiction novels.

The second reason I chose to be a science student is that societies are continuously in need of more scientists who will positively affect the world. They are in need of scientists with innovative ideas to improve their lives. This means there is always a demand for scientists, meaning a secure job market. There will always be universities and research centers providing opportunities for students to gain knowledge and develop their skills.

Then why nanotechnology? Why is nanotechnology important for science majors? First of all, it is exceptional because it bridges many disciplines of science including biology, chemistry, physics, social science, materials science, engineering, and medicine. In other words, nanotechnology will be involved with everything, existing everywhere in our life. It has great potential to be a major part of our future life. Nanotechnology also has brought new way of looking at things in science. Paul Barbara, a professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, has stated the following:

"You know, nanoscience has been driven both by new ideas, and new tools. The new tools tend to be tools that let you manipulate and measure the property of one atom at a time, really to get down to the nano world. And we’ve used that to figure out, in a sense, to unravel the mystery of some very early steps in the attack of the AIDS virus, by looking at the molecules that the AIDS virus uses, and understanding how they work. And as a result, we think we have a way of screening AIDS drugs much faster than existing methods."

By being able to generate different perspectives in science, nanotechnology has revolutionized understanding, and it is promising us a more advanced and better world. Nanotechnology has great potential because it can solve many of our problems. For instance, water shortage is one of the biggest concerns in the world. Nanotechnology enables the purification and recycling of water in a more efficient way, reducing water consumption and providing disease-free water to the public.

Furthermore, with nanotechnology, many structures can be built with carbon and hydrogen. This will reduce the use of natural resources, meaning the environment can be preserved. Also resources become more available, and thus products become much cheaper. Treating the “untreatable” becomes possible where nanotechnology meets healthcare. Advanced medicine can cure many people and even prevent diseases!

Nanotechnology also promises great wealth to industries and governments. According to the National Science Foundation, the nanotechnology workforce will reach two million by 2015. Money is flowing into nanotechnology research from public and private sectors. Industries worldwide are trying to train workers and students at all levels, and governments are investing in and supporting these industries. There will also be many jobs related to nanotechnology in the future.

Professional schools are endeavoring to teach and prepare students as leaders in a world where nanotechnology will bring the next industrial revolution. Some of the research areas of nanotechnology are listed below.

• Bio-Inspired Materials
• Biological Nanosystems
• Hybrid Materials
• Hydrogels
• Nanomaterials
• Photonics
• Self-Assembled Systems
• Sol-Gel Processes
• Catalysts
• DNA & Protein/DNA Arrays
• Nanoelectronics
• Nano-MEMS
• Quantum Structures
• Single Molecule Detection
• Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
• Cell Signaling
• Cellular Organelles
• Mechanical Signaling
• Motor Proteins
• Nanoscale Signal Transduction
• Recombinant Technique

Nanotechnology has the ability to make possible great things and immensely influence the future world.Whether we are scientists or advocates to protect the world from further harm, it is important to know and understand nanotechnology. Why not be responsible and be aware of what is going on with nanotechnology in this world? Anybody with belief, passion, and perseverance can make a difference in the world. What do you want to do in your life, life you can only live once?The world is already changing and getting ready to adapt nanotechnology. What about you? Are you ready?

- by You-Gyung "Christine" Oh