From an article by George Dvorsky:

Futurists have long speculated that nanotechnology — the engineering of materials and devices at the molecular scale — will revolutionise virtually every field it touches, medicine being no exception. Here’s what to expect when you have fleets of molecule-sized robots coursing through your veins.

To learn more about the potential for medical nanotech, I contacted Frank Boehm, author of the recently released book, Nanomedical Device and Systems Design: Challenges, Possibilities, Visions.

Boehm has been involved with nanotechnology and especially nanomedicine since 1996, and has been developing numerous concepts and designs for advanced nanomedical tools. His ultimate goal is to develop and transform these concepts into real world applications for global benefit.

During our conversation, we spoke about current nanomedical efforts and those still yet to come — including molecule-sized robots and capsules that will detect and treat diseases. But we also talked about the potential for nanotechnology to radically alter human capacities, such as giving us infrared and night vision, extended lifespans, and the ability to live and work in outer space and planetary colonies. We also discussed the downsides and what we’ll have to do to protect our nano-infused selves from hackers and viruses.

Image Credit:   Whitehoune/Shutterstock (from article)

 

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