Nanotechnology grows beyond science fringe

The next big thing to come out of this birthplace of high
tech could be small:

Think tiny molecular delivery
devices for medicines.

By Washington Post, 3/24/2002

Or ”smart” dust that can
monitor people without
being detected.

Maybe supercomputers the
size of grains of salt.

The mind-bending ideas
seem straight out of works
of science fiction, but some
out here think they may be
possible in the near future
as interest grows in
something called
nanotechnology.

Literally the manipulation of atoms or molecules, nanotechnology is a sort of
”superscience” that encompasses everything from computing and materials science to
health care. Its goal is to figure out a way to reconfigure the tiny particles to create
things Mother Nature never imagined.

Just a few years ago, nanotechnology was on the fringe of respected science, and
skeptics still abound. But venture capital bigwigs are beginning to bet on the science,
and real research is underway at the NASA Ames Research Center here. Even
Washington is beginning to take notice after a series of breakthroughs.

”The debate has shifted from `Will it happen?’ to `When will it happen?”’ said Christine
Peterson, president of the Foresight Institute, a research institute dedicated to
nanotechnology.

Indeed, the prestigious journal ”Science” noted that the demonstration of a nanoscale
computer circuit by industry and academic researchers was 2001’s ”breakthrough of
the year.”

Major high-tech corporations including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola and Raytheon
have launched nanotechnology initiatives, but they by no means have a monopoly on
the research.

Steve Jurvetson, a venture capitalist with Draper Fisher Jurvetson, said his firm has
invested $40 million over the past two years in 12 upstart nanotechnology and related
ventures. Much of the funding has gone to those working on shrinking electronics, but
he’s personally interested in companies that research mechanical-biological hybrids,
such as those using a hemoglobin-like substance to make dense computer chips.

”All the great unknowns of science revolve around nanotech in many ways,” Jurvetson
said.

The Bush administration has earmarked $604 million this year for nanotechnology
research and development, up 43 percent from the 2001 budget. In one of the
government’s biggest public displays of its faith in the technology, the Pentagon
recently announced it would spend $50 million over the next five years to create a new
laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to focus on creating nanotech
gear for soldiers.

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/083/business/Nanotechnology_grows_beyond_science_fringe+.shtml