The next step in nanotechnology | George Tulevski

The Challenge of Building with Nanomaterials

Introduction to the Concept

• The speaker introduces a metaphor comparing sculpting a statue from stone to building with nanomaterials, emphasizing the complexity of working with extremely small particles.

• The idea of constructing a statue from dust is presented as an absurd notion, paralleling the challenges faced in manipulating nanomaterials.

Understanding Nanotechnology

• The speaker highlights the excitement surrounding nanotechnology during their graduate studies, noting frequent scientific breakthroughs and substantial funding.

• A distinction is made between classical physics and quantum mechanics, explaining how smaller objects behave differently and can be manipulated through minor changes at the atomic level.

Aspirations vs. Reality in Nanotechnology

• The speaker reflects on ambitious projects aimed at revolutionizing technology, such as faster computers and medical applications using nanomaterials.

• Despite significant scientific advancements over 15 years, there has been a failure to translate these discoveries into practical technologies that impact everyday life.

The Double-Edged Sword of Nanomaterials

• The unique properties of nanomaterials make them intriguing yet difficult to work with; they are compared to trying to build something out of dust due to their size.

• There is concern about stagnation in computing advancements; expectations for continuous progress may not be sustainable without innovation.

Future Directions: Carbon Nanotubes

• To maintain technological advancement, the speaker's group focuses on carbon nanotubes as a potential solution for improving computing performance significantly.

Understanding the Path to Innovation

Identifying Core Issues

• The discussion begins with a metaphor from "The Godfather," emphasizing the need to identify and address underlying problems rather than repeating past mistakes.

• The speaker poses the question, "What's the Fredo in our problem?" suggesting that recognizing what is being overlooked is crucial for success.

Nature's Approach to Building

• The solution involves allowing the statue (or technology) to build itself, highlighting a self-assembly process where billions of particles must organize independently.

• Nature exemplifies this bottom-up construction method, using simple organisms that create complex structures by utilizing available materials like sand and proteins.

Chemistry as a Tool

• Unlike human methods, which are often crude, nature's processes are elegant and efficient. This realization leads to the conclusion that chemistry is essential for innovation.

• In their lab, researchers have developed chemical methods to extract specific nanoparticles from a mixture, enabling precise arrangement into desired patterns for circuit building.

Advancements in Technology