Advantages in Medicine

A nanometer is a value that equals to one billionth of a meter. Working at such a minute level has lots of advantages over conventional technology. Nanotechnology deals with application of devices and other tools that range, roughly between 1-100 nanometers in size. Seemingly impossible tasks can be easily performed with the use of nanotechnology. It is however, important that this technology becomes easily accessible for average users. Cost-effectiveness is a factor that would play an important role in popularizing nanotechnology, so that average people can enjoy the various benefits of nanotechnology, more so in the field of medicine.

Advantages of Nanotechnology in Medicine

The use of nanotechnology is ever-expanding in today’s technologically advanced world. This form of technology has many advantages over existing ones in many fields and medicine is one of them. There are numerous devices and mechanisms developed with the aid of nanotechnology that can help cure diseases/disorders in a much better and more efficient manner. The usefulness of nanotechnology can especially be seen in the treatment of cancer. Radiation therapy used in cancer treatment requires accurate targeting of affected cells. Today, nanotechnology is transitioning through the nascent stages of development; however, it is also making rapid progress in the field of medicine. Many different medical advantages of using nanotechnology can be found below.

Repairing Body Cells Becomes Easy
Nanotechnology is used in the construction of miniscule devices and robots (nanobots) capable of entering the human body and performing a variety of operations; cell repairing one of them. These miniscule devices, developed with the help of nanotechnology, are also referred to as molecular machines. These machines can efficiently carry out repairing of cells, since they can distinguish molecules of one type of body cell from those of another. Earlier, it was not possible to repair body cells individually, however, nanotechnology has made it possible. Damaged heart tissues can be repaired using nanobots. Another heart-related treatment that can be undertaken through nanotechnology is that of unclogging cholesterol-filled arteries. It is seen that healing of bone injuries takes quite a long time. In conventional techniques, scaffolds are tools used for assisting the process of bone healing. However, with the use of polymer scaffolds containing stem cells, speedy recovery of bone injuries becomes possible.

Efficient Drug Delivery
The conventional drug delivery systems are such that they need to be controlled manually. Oral intake, injections, and other such modes of manual drug delivery are, however, subject to human error. Medicines have to be consumed in a timely manner. Nanotechnology can be used for timely delivery of medicines; the existing techniques are thereby improved. The drug delivery system meant for a particular patient can be customized and pre-programmed in order to make it effective. Devices used for implementing the delivery of drugs are known as ‘nanovehicles’. Some examples of nanovehicles are microchips, layer-by-layer assembled systems, microneedle-based transdermal therapeutic systems, etc. Similar devices (polymer micelles, dendrimers, liposomes, etc.) of a bigger scale were conceptualized way back in the 1960s, however, with recent developments in nanotechnology, it is possible to create their miniature forms.

Replacing Abnormal Genes
The small size of devices used in nanotechnology prove to be of great help in the replacement of abnormal or disease-causing cells. A new possibility of dealing with genetic diseases has emerged with advances taking place in this field. Nanotechnology can be used for replacing abnormal genes (responsible for diseases) with healthier or normal ones. Experiments in the use of nanotechnology for gene therapy were recently made by a team of scientists from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. Nanobots made from polymers and covered in a protein called ‘transferrin’ were used for these experiments. The type of gene therapy tested during these experiments is referred to as ‘RNA interference’. The RNA (ribonucleic acid) used in gene therapy does the work of blocking proteins which cause diseases like cancer and blindness.

Non-invasive Imaging Tools
Nanotechnology techniques for imaging are also referred to as molecular imaging techniques. These are not used for replacing the existing imaging methods, however, complement them and improve their accuracy. The specialty of imaging techniques – which make use of nanotechnology – is that they depict the actual processes related to diseases at a molecular level.

Morphing the Stem Cells
Research in the field of stem cells has uncovered the possibility of treating a variety of diseases. Stems cells are known to possess a unique ability to transform into cells that perform specialized functions. Nanotechnology is used for morphing stem cells into specialized ones. By morphing these cells into specialized ones, the required/desired results can be attained.

The field of nanotechnology has opened many possibilities in the treatment of diseases, cell repair, gene therapy, etc. As technological developments in the field of nanotechnology continue to take place at a rapid pace, the scope of development in nanomedicine seems virtually unlimited.

Spinach Computing

Green Machines:

It takes sunlight eight minutes to reach the surface of a spinach leaf. It takes the leaf five trillionths of a second to begin turning that light into food, switching on the chemical and electrical machinery of photosynthesis.

That lightning-like response-a hundred times faster than a silicon solar cell-may signal a bright future for plant-based electronics, says ORNL physicist Elias Greenbaum. In 1985 Greenbaum invented a way (now patented) to precipitate platinum onto the photosynthetic membranes from spinach, thus turning them into tiny electrical switches. These “platinized chloroplasts,” Greenbaum believes, could become the building blocks of artificial retinas for robotic vision systems, or even of speed-of-light optical computers.

Robert Birge, director of the Center for Molecular Electronics at Syracuse University, says Greenbaum’s membranes have “significant potential” for artificial vision. “They’re very efficient,” he says. “They produce a highly characteristic electrical signal, and the response times are excellent-faster than the human retina.”

In fact, Birge-developer of a way to use proteins for data storage-foresees a veritable green wave of bioelectronics within a decade or so. Already, he says, Mitsubishi is close to introducing an optical disk based on light-sensitive biological pigments.

According to Birge, nature’s electronics are not just faster than silicon electronics, they’re also potentially cheaper and-as you might expect-far easier on the environment. The reason for their advantages, he says, is this: They have a billion-year head start over silicon semiconductors. “Five to seven years ago,” Birge notes, “people assumed that these biological molecules could not possibly be as efficient as the molecules people design from scratch in the laboratory. They also assumed that these molecules would be easily damaged by light or heat. What Eli has shown is that quite the opposite is true.”

Spinach Protein Finds New Use:

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee have found a new use for spinach-electronic components.

The scientists say that a protein in spinach has the ability to convert photons from the Sun into electrical energy. When spinach proteins are arranged in an ordered fashion on a flat surface, they create an electronic component called a diode (similar to a one-way valve for electric current). These diodes could be combined with other components to make switches such as the ones that store and manipulate all information in a computer. Spinach proteins are much more environment friendly than the often toxic materials that go into the making of computer chips. The era of spinach-based electronics may be on the horizon. Spinach? It may seem tough to swallow, but researchers at the ‘Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee’ have been exploring ways to use microscopic protein structures from spinach leaves as electronic devices.

The Oak Ridge team previously had found how to extract and isolate the tiny spinach proteins, which are part of the plant’s photosynthetic machinery for converting sunlight into chemical energy. The protein structure, called Photo System-I, can generate a light-induced flow of electricity in a few trillionths of a second.

Now, the researchers say, they have found how to attach the protein structures to a gold-plated surface and orient them in specified directions. That is an advance, they say, toward making simple electronic switches and logic circuits like those on silicon computer chips.

The natural protein structures do offer several potential advantages, Green Baum said, including smaller size and probably faster response times than the circuits etched in today’s silicon-based computer chips. The spinach-derived structures being manipulated by the Oak Ridge team are only six nanometers across. (A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.)

Trenchless Technology

What is Trenchless Technology

Trenchless technology is a method of repairing and rehabilitation or installing pipelines or cables under the street or buildings, without disturbing the structure on top. This system has evolved as a result of alternative methods, that were being put into action by engineers for rehabilitation of structures under streets. It is often defined as a family of methods that is used to install or repair structures under the streets.

Trenchless tunneling is often put to use in big cities, especially for busy streets. It mainly resorts to methods like tunneling, micro tunneling, horizontal drilling, pipe ramming, jacking, and horizontal auger boring. The process of rehabilitating or constructing structures, with the help of trenchless technology, is not very difficult. In the process of construction, two pits are dug at the end points between which the pipeline or cable is to be placed, under the street. The first pit is termed as ‘intersection pit’ and the second is termed as ‘reception pit’. Device that is similar to a mechanical mole is inserted into the intersection pit. The mole drills a tunnel till it reaches the reception pit. The drilled, dirt and rubble is then removed by a device that works like an excavator. This process of tunneling is often referred to as micro tunneling. The coil and loop of a winch or a puller is passed from reception pit to intersection pit. The pipeline or cable that is to be laid or construed is made up of flexible and sturdy material. The coil of the puller is attached to the end of the cable and is inserted in the tunnel. The puller keeps on pulling the cable or pipeline till it reaches the receiving pit. After it has been suitably laid down and both ends of the cable or pipeline have reached respective pits a miniature concrete chamber is created in both pits.

In case of repairs, the pulling machine first extracts the damaged cable, and then a new one is placed in the micro tunnel. If a pipeline is supposed to be removed, then the excavating machine, known as ‘bursting head’, first removes the debris of the broken pipeline and then a new one is placed inside.

Some of the other methods that are also deployed are, sliplining, mechanical spot recovery, where the whole pipeline is not replaced but, the damaged section is repaired. Another method that is used is shotcrete, in which concrete or sealing material is conveyed inside the pipeline with the help of a pressurized hose. Spot leaks or cracks in the pipeline can be easily repaired with the help of shotcrete.

Advantages of Trenchless Technology

The trenchless technology, as mentioned above, was developed to aid the repair work of pipelines and cables situated under the street in big cities. The biggest advantage of trenchless technology is that, it does not disrupt traffic, as done in normal construction methods in which a trench is dug up for repair. Trenchless technology is also efficient in saving resources, as the street that is dug up does not have to be repaired or reconstructed. It is also a very simple process that does not involve complex techniques and highly skilled man power. The construction work also does not take a long time, and is completed easily and quickly.

The trenchless technology or the ‘no dig’ technology, is slowly coming to prevalence due its many merits. However, the equipment that is used is still costly.

Impact of Technology on Communication

The development of technology has considerably improved our lifestyles. It has made its impact felt on each and every aspect of life, also on the communication techniques. The development of communication has seen huge progress; from the symbols (oldest means of communication) to the latest swanky mobiles! Each century has seen a new addition to the ever-growing list of means of communication. The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in the year 1875 was the first technological invention that impacted communication in humans to a massive extent. Other subsequent inventions like that of the Internet, cell phones, etc., further eased and changed the communication process.

Impact / Effects of Technology on Communication

Everything has both a positive and negative impact, and the impact of technology on the communication process also comes as mixed baggage. In this article, we would be discussing the impact of popular technological elements like emails, telephones, cell phones, etc., on our means of communication. Mobiles and the Internet are literally the basic necessities these days. A majority of us would feel something missing in life, if there were no mobiles or Internet (Agreed?).

Take the daily routine of a person in this tech-savvy world. The day begins with a “good morning message” on social networking sites and ends with a “goodnight” on the same website. The social networking sites are a world in themselves, like a virtual world! There is the incessant use of mobiles and the Internet for communication, the whole day. To ease the communication process, there are modes like emails, teleconferencing, video conferencing, networking sites, etc., among other tools. Mobiles, emails, and social networking sites are the most popular means of communication among the current generation. In the coming paragraphs, let’s discuss the impact of these technology-backed communication devices on our communication ways.

Positive Impact of Technology on Communication
Technology has transformed the once big and far world into a tiny global village. Thanks to technology, we now have the power to communicate with anybody on the other side of the world (see: benefits of technology). The points below summarize the positive effects of technology on communication.

• No barriers: Communication is now easy; in case of situations when you want to convey something urgently to someone, mobiles and emails come in handy.
• Strengthened relations: Communication has made it easy to keep in touch with old contacts, and has also helped strengthen relationships.
• Better solutions: Communication has brought the world closer and promoted exchange of thoughts to find better solutions to any problem.
• E-schools: Technological elements of communication like video-conferencing has made it possible to give best education to students via expert faculty on the web.
• Impact on relations: Finding someone to date was never so easy, thanks to the dating and chatting websites! No one would disagree if I say – Technology is the rational behind the success of long distance relationships. Video chats and social networking sites have played a big role in keeping people in touch.
• Development: Last but not least. Technological elements of communication have promoted faster decision-making, and led to the development and progress of the world. Video conferencing has played a considerate role in promoting faster decision-making. Most of the businesses depend on technology for communication.

Negative Impact of Technology on Communication
Most negative effect of technology – the charm of the good old world is missing. The letters, and lengthy face-to-face conversations have gone away, and have been replaced by texting or chatting. See the below given points for details.

• Impact on interpersonal communication: The current generation lacks essential interpersonal skills (the ability to express the ideas and thoughts to others face-to-face). A major reason for this tendency is increased frequency of communication through texting and chatting on websites.
• Effect on nonverbal communication: Technological means of communication has also affected nonverbal communication. Lack of face-to-face interaction has reduced the nonverbal grasping power of individuals.
• Near yet far: Teenagers especially are always hooked to the social networking sites. They are more close to online friends, but the gap between parents and kids has increased considerably. The communication is missing, parents are not technology savvy and not used to the communication styles of their kids, and this has increased the generation gap.
• Reduced social interactions: Consider the socializing among people. Life has changed a lot; there are no social meetings and get-togethers (the frequency has reduced). People are more bothered about their online life rather than the real social life.
• Has led to many addictions: People have literally become addicted to the Internet and cell phones, and this addiction has led to many anxiety disorders. People addicted to the Internet feel lonely and isolated.
• Malicious motives: Many people abuse the social networking sites and communicate to unsuspecting beings pretending someone else. This tendency of people has done more harm than good.

This was all about the impact of communication on technology. As you can see, the impact is both positive and negative. But logically thinking, technology has bettered the communication process and has done negligible harm. The positive points of the technological elements of communication cover up the negative points. It all depends on how we use these means; use the technological means of communication for sane purposes, and don’t abuse the technology for malicious motives. If this happens, technology will then prove to be a complete boon to mankind!

Benefits of Technology

Technology has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, and the benefits of technology are there for all to see. One of the biggest arguments against technology is its sometimes ridiculously high cost which limits its usage and places it out of reach of many people. But it is an undeniable fact that technology has helped us make many tasks easier, and it has also made the world a much smaller place. Benefits of RFID Technology will also be an interesting read.

The latest developments in technology can be seen and felt in many industries, but there are some areas that have been benefited more than others. Costs of production have fallen, networking has become easier, employment levels have risen (in some cases), and we have certainly become more efficient at many complex tasks and processes. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most obvious benefits of technology that we live with today.

What are the Benefits of Technology

Benefits of Technology in Healthcare
Perhaps the single biggest beneficiary of advancing technology has been the healthcare sector. Medical research has led to the end of many diseases and ailments, and also to the discovery of many drugs and medications that have helped prevent many lethal diseases and disorders. Personal records are easier to study now, and medical research has advanced magnificently. Millions of lives have been saved as a result of this. Here are some of the benefits of technology in this industry in brief.

• Communication between patients and doctors has become easier, more personal, more flexible and more sensitive.
• Personal records of patients are maintained, which makes it easier to study symptoms and carry out diagnosis of previously unexplainable conditions.
• Several medical aids have helped people overcome many medical conditions which they had to live with earlier.
• New medicines have led to the demise of many illnesses and diseases.
• Medical research has become supremely advanced, and every ailment seemingly has a cure, or at least a prevention.
• Costs of medical procedures and operations have fallen dramatically over the decades. Here are some more positive effects of technology on society.

Benefits of Technology in Education
It is no surprise that the benefits of technology in the classroom and the benefits of technology in schools have opened up a whole new learning environment. Knowledge can be easily procured with the help of Internet technology now, and it is easier to help children with special needs as well. Here are some more benefits of assistive technology that the educational sector has witnessed.

• Personalized learning has come to the fore. Students can pick their own curriculum with ease, and set their own personal targets.
• Distance learning has become much easier, and this has led to a rise in the number of people who receive education.
• E-learning and online education has made it very simple and systematic for an individual to receive personal attention, so that all his specific needs are fulfilled.
• Immediate response to queries and tests have made the whole education process a lot faster.
• The use of computers and technology in classrooms has opened up a whole new method of teaching and effective learning. Read more on how has technology changed education.

Virtual Reality Technology

So, what is all this hype and hoopla over the likes of virtual and augmented reality technology all about? Is it really possible to experience a Matrix-like phenomenon in the real world? To continue with the Matrix theme, is the world, as we know it, the REAL world? Well, that was a rhetoric question meant to tease the technologically curious nerve inside you! Or was it? Okay, enough playing! It’s time to get down to the brass tacks now! So what is this technology all about? Let’s get us some answers!

A Layman’s Take on Virtual Reality

A computer simulated environment that either resembles or substitutes the physical reality so well that the viewer is left wondering whether what he sees or feels is the real thing or if it’s all in his mind is known as virtual reality. The concept of virtual reality technology includes all such computer and IT based technologies that can perfectly simulate and project any place or situation of either the real or imaginary plane to the eyes or any other sensory organ. However, presently, the major chunk of virtual reality experiences fall under the category of visual virtual reality with auditory effects coming from additional appendages like speakers, headphones, etc. Research and product development is being carried out for new varieties of virtual reality techniques and technology which would be capable of extending stimuli to other sensory organs like touch, taste, smell, etc. The most common and commercial examples of virtual reality technology can be seen in the forms of virtual reality games (such as Dactyl Nightmare, Hero, Legend Quest, Grid Busters, Mage, etc.) and virtual reality glasses, gloves and other gear used for playing such games. You can check out the movie How to Make a Monster by Stan Winston to get an idea about how physical reality and virtual reality can, at times, get confusingly inter-tangled!

How Virtual Reality Works

In order to grasp the mechanics of virtual reality, we first need to understand what virtual reality space is. A virtual reality space is created using sensory output generated by a computer that is 3D enabled. Such a virtual space enables the users to carry on interactions with the virtual environment while still being in the physical environment. To create an experience of virtual reality, the effect of telepresence must be present. The term telepresence refers to the feeling of the user that he/she is present at a location different from his true, physical location. This different location, other than the actual physical location, is what we call the virtual reality environment. The essence of complete telepresence is very important as without telepresence, the virtual reality experience would be flawed and incomplete.

There are two technological aspects which sum up the concept of telepresence – immersion and interaction. Immersion is the phenomenon by which the user gets the feeling of being one with the virtual environment. He/ she feels as if he exists in the virtual world and is sensorily immersed in his/her virtual surroundings. Immersion consists of the virtual eyes and ears of the user and employs the mechanics of sight and sound. Interaction is the phenomenon by which the user is able to interact with the virtual world as well as with other users in it. This aspect consists of the communication parameters and the modus operandi of interaction may be via speech or text.

Virtual Reality Tools

The tools and technology used to create virtual reality environments include (but may not be limited to) virtual graphics library, programming languages that are commonly used for games, scripting and web applications (such as Java, C++, Perl, Python, etc.), multi threading technology (for better cluster computing and enhanced multi-user interactions), etc. Telepresence can be induced by using standard computer interaction devices such as the mouse, keyboard, etc. or by employing multi modal interaction devices including wired gloves, motion trackers, digitizers, 3D scanners, eye-trackers, ODT, etc.

Fiber Optics Technology

Fiber optic communications is dependent on the principle that light in a glass medium can carry more information over longer distances than electrical signals can carry in a copper or coaxial medium. The purity of today’s glass fiber mixed with advance electronics system allows fiber to transmit digitized light signals well beyond 100 km without amplification. Optical fiber is an ideal transmission medium with few transmission losses, low interference and high bandwidth potential.

How Fiber Works 

The working of an optical fiber is dependent on the principle of total internal reflection. Light reflects or refracts based on the angle at which it strikes a surface. This principle is at the center of how optical fiber works. Restricting the angle at which the light waves are delivered makes it possible to control how efficiently they reach their destination. Light waves are covered with the core of the optical fiber in much the same way that radio frequency signals are covered with coaxial cable. The light waves are directed to the other end of the fiber by being reflected within the core.

The creation of the cladding glass relative to the core glass decides the fiber’s capability to reflect light. That reflection is usually occurred by creating a higher refractive index in the core of the glass than in the surrounding cladding glass creating a “waveguide”. The refractive index of the core is improved by slightly changing the composition of the core glass generally by adding small amounts of a dopant. Alternatively the waveguide can be composed by decreasing the refractive index of the cladding using different dopants.

Design of Fiber

Core, Cladding, and Coating

An optical fiber is made up of two different types of highly pure, solid glass composed to form the core and cladding. A protective coating surrounded with the cladding. In most cases the protective coating is a double layer composition.

In the manufacturing process, a protective coating is applied to the glass fiber as the final step. This coating protects the glass from scratches and dust that can affect fiber strength. This protective coating can be composed with two layers: a soft inner layer that act as cushions to the fiber and permits the coating to be uncovered from the glass mechanically and a harder outer layer that protects the fiber during handling particularly the cabling, installation, and termination processes.

Types of Fiber
There are two types of optical fiber: single-mode and multimode.

Single-Mode and Multimode Fibers

Multimode fiber was type to be used for commercial purpose. It is provided with larger core than single-mode fiber permitting hundreds of modes of light to propagate through the fiber simultaneously. Additionally the larger core diameter of multimode fiber makes possible the use of lower-cost optical transmitters or vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and connectors.

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