ASK OCE — May 10, 2006 — Vol. 1, Issue 8
Tiny devices that can be directed to self-assemble. A “thinking” spacecraft. Engineering materials many times lighter and many times stronger than anything available today. Welcome to the transformational world of NASA nanotechnology.
By definition, nanotechnology, or “nano,: is the creation of functional materials, devices, and systems through control and manipulation of matter on the nanometer length scale (1-100 nanometers). For the sake of comparison, an ordinary sheet of paper is 100,000 nanometers thick. At this scale, engineers have the ability to exploit novel phenomena and material properties, be they physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, or electrical.
Breakthroughs in nanoscience bring the promise of an engineering revolution based upon the ability to organize and manipulate matter in completely new ways. Though in its early stages, nano is expected to begin paying substantial dividends within the next 10-15 years.
The hub of NASA nanotechnology operations is at the Ames Research Center at the Center for Nanotechnology (CNT). The CNT has laid out four “Grand Challenges” for NASA nanoscience:
- Research and development of autonomous “thinking.”
- Safe and affordable aviation.
- Human exploration and colonization of space.
- Evolution of the universe and life.
Nano addresses these challenges in a variety of ways. The development of a new generation of nanoelectronics and computing will yield so-called “petaflop” computing capability (1015 floating-point operations per second) and ultra high-density data storage capacity. Nanosensors will allow sophisticated ultra-small probes to explore the surface of planets, including small “micro-rovers” that will hop, fly, and even burrow to collect data. Advances in nanomanufacturing will yield a new class of super-strong, lightweight materials that will have self-healing, multifunction capabilities even in high-stress environments.
NASA’s use of nanomaterials, electronics, and systems will ensure that future spacecraft will be lighter, stronger, and more resilient while possessing many times the current technical and data collection capabilities.
In addition to CNT at Ames, the Johnson Space Center is currently focusing on bulk carbon nanotube manufacturing with its Carbon Nanotube Project (PDF). Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) are considered the building blocks of many nanomaterials.
Nano addresses these challenges in a variety of ways. The development of a new generation of nanoelectronics and computing will yield so-called “petaflop” computing capability (1015 floating-point operations per second) and ultra high-density data storage capacity. Nanosensors will allow sophisticated ultra-small probes to explore the surface of planets, including small “micro-rovers” that will hop, fly, and even burrow to collect data. Advances in nanomanufacturing will yield a new class of super-strong, lightweight materials that will have self-healing, multifunction capabilities even in high-stress environments.
NASA’s use of nanomaterials, electronics, and systems will ensure that future spacecraft will be lighter, stronger, and more resilient while possessing many times the current technical and data collection capabilities.
View the nanotech image gallery at Ames Research Center.
