Companies involved

    Nanotechnology has come a very long way since the origin of the idea. There has been a huge increase in the work being done in the nanotechnology field. Foresight Website mentions the large amount of companies interested in nanotechnology. Some of these companies involved include Sony, IBM, Xerox, Hitachi, and NEC. (1) Much like the different science fields, these companies are also all working in different areas that will eventually combine into one as well. These companies are a part of why nanotechnology will develop quickly. The stiff competition between the companies in producing the best and most efficient products will cause rapid growth. Xerox is a very important company involved in the development of nanotechnology. Xerox is in the photo copying business, and like their competitors, they are planning for their futures.
Eric Drexler states that Xerox is working on the idea of self-assembly (8; ch. 6). If Xerox continues their research, they will help speed the development of molecular machines and assemblers.

Nanotechnology is becoming more widespread

    The computer is a very large reason nanotechnology is becoming popular. On the Internet hundreds of websites involving nanotechnology can be found. Huge Internet sights such as Nanothinc and Foresight have created very organized websites that display large amounts of information. Many of the websites found on the Internet have current update sections and allow people easy access to their topic. The computer allows scientists to interact and exchange information rapidly and cheaply. Competition between companies and countries also help the progress in the technology. The Frequently Asked Questions article also addresses how widespread nanotechnology has become. The researchers found that in 1996, there were more than 275 companies researching nanotechnology; by 2001 that number is expected to quintuple (2). If forward progress continues, developed nanotechnology will arrive very soon. As Regis explains, Vice President Gore has been present during nanotechnology meetings, and he is both a fan and a big supporter of nanotechnology. The United States Government is aware of nanotechnology and its possibilities. They will definitely help in the progress and funding of nanotechnology.

Tools currently developed and current progress of scientists

    Only a handful of useful tools for nanotechnology currently exist. Among these tools as Drexler states are the scanning, tunneling microscope and the atomic force microscope or the STM and AFM. These tools are being called proximal probes (4; ch.4). These are the first tools built for nanotechnology. Although they are a long way from the eventual tools, scientists are having a very successful start. These tools appear to be very promising for the progress of nanotechnology. Drexler explains that the STM scans the surface of individual atoms, and the AFM is able to move atoms (4; ch. 4). With the rapid circulation of information, these tools should improve very rapidly. The  ATM and STM will pioneer the way for more effective tools.
The people involved with nanotechnology have done amazing things. Employees at IBM made the first big step. Drexler explains that they have engineered proteins and positioned them to spell out IBM (6; ch. 4). By using the ATM and STM the scientists have created the ultimate fiber. Rogers and Kaplan state that Buckminster Fuller developed buckyballs in 1985.  These balls consist of 60 molecules, and when connected, they are 100 times stronger than steel, but weigh only a fraction. When they are strung together, they are called carbon nanotubes. These tubes are considered the most important component of nano design. The nanotubes are virtually unbreakable (52). It’s only the beginning for nanotechnology. If assemblers were developed, houses could be developed from buckyballs, and the house would become indestructible. Another new development explained by Bernard was the ability to monitor slight movement by reflecting laser light
between two mirrors and recording the data to detect movement (2). All of these advances are far from where scientists want to be, but they are definitely a step in the right direction.

Problems in developing nanotechnology

    Few problems have arisen from nanotechnology, but they do exist. Frequently Asked Questions article described the problem concerning the lack of communication (2).  Scientists are not sharing their information in some cases, and that is causing the progress to slow down. The Internet is helping to bridge the gap so information can be shared.
There is also the possibility of nanotechnology replacing the majority of people’s jobs. With nanotechnology people will not need jobs because it will have the solution for problems that people work for. Nanotechnology will give people a large amount of spare time. The only thing left for people to die from after nanotechnology arrives is boredom. There are also limits to nanotechnology’s potential. As Drexler describes, people are not likely to build a structure twice as strong as diamond or to build a space ship faster than light.  People will also not likely build products with nanotechnology out of nothing (2; ch. 11). Within these limits nanotechnology’s potential is enormous. Progress seems to be rapid and smooth, but unseen difficulties are likely. When developing any unknown technology, difficulties should be expected. On the other hand, there could be shortcuts that save large amounts of time for the developers. Ways to build nanomachines are still being considered and will probably take time since nanotechnology is so complex and difficult.

How long until developed

    One question that is very important is when will nanotechnology be developed? Unfortunately there is no answer to that question, but several experts have suggested a time in which they think it will be developed. The Frequently Asked Questions article felt safe saying that we will see it developed in our lifetimes. They say that it is currently
a decade or two away. Merkle has collected the answers from many well-respected experts including Drexler, Birge, Brenner, Hall, and Smalley. These experts suggest that a molecular assembler might be developed anywhere from 2000-2025. They suggested that a Nanocomputer would be developed anywhere from 2010-2100. For cell repair they estimate that it might happen anywhere from 2010-2050. They also think that commercial products might be for sale anywhere from 2000-2015. They think nanotechnology laws might be developed anywhere from 1995-2036 (2). Scientists seem to be very optimistic in the development of nanotechnology. Some of their estimates are shocking since there is still so much left to discover. Merkle includes a quote from Alan Kay saying, “The best way to predict the future, is to invent it” (2). Most scientists are optimistic for the future and they have high hopes for nanotechnology. In his book Eric Drexler states “molecular nanotechnology falls entirely within the realm of the possible” (12; ch. 3). Other scientists are still optimistic, but are not ruling out the possibility that nanotechnology just won’t work. However, most scientists agree that nanotechnology does not break any principles or laws.