The little one in the Science and Technology Week

2004/11/08 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Azokak, biltzarrak

Heinrich Rohrer.

Therefore, those interested in knowing what nanotechnology is have had a unique opportunity in the symposium that this morning has begun in the Palace Europa of Vitoria-Gasteiz. And they have chosen the best teacher for the entrance conference: Professor Heinrich Rohrer, Nobel Prize in Physics 1986.

Professor Heinrich Rohrer talks about the magic of the little. He has told the story of reduction, miniaturization and how microelectronics and their influence arose. However, he considers that the revolution that involves nanoscience and nanotechnology is even greater.

At present you can work with atoms, touch them, catch them, move them. And when working at this level, other characteristics appear. It increases the speed of the processes and increases the sensitivity. Thanks to this, new applications are created, what was not imagined before becomes a reality.

Rohrer has spoken of this. In short, nanotechnology will allow to have 200 computers in a square centimeter. This means that you will have an intelligent operation. Not only will it retain the data, but it will analyze them and be able to make decisions.

Scheme presented by Professor Rohrer.

Rohrer believes that the parity between biology and nanotechnology will go further. He sets the human body as an example. Many body processes are controlled in the brain, but others are local as digestion. The Nobel Prize believes that in the future machines will also work like this, that is, autonomous and local processes will be integrated into a complex and large system, as happens in biology.

Professor Rohrer has given many other explanations and the idea that the future will be written in a small letter is clear. But this talk has not been more than a beginning. Throughout these days will be held many other conferences and events of interest that will help us to better understand what nanotechnology is and how it will influence our life.

To learn more: Nanotechnology, the smallest nanotechnology and polymers