Nanotechnology and Global Security

Abstract

IntroductionNanotechnology refers to the creation of useful materials, devices and systems through manipulation of matter on the nanometer (nm) scale, with characteristic dimensions below 100nm, and exploiting of novel phenomena and properties specific to this small scale. In order to better understand the dimensional challenges for technology and materials, Figure 1 illustrates several objects associated with the aggressive scaling-down. It is remarkable, for instance, that today's 14nm Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET) are smaller than a virus and form the core-switching device block for all modern nanoelectronics supporting high-performance and mobile computing. In fact, the manufacturing of ever-smaller and higher performance semiconductor devices entered the nano domain after the year 2000, with the introduction of the 90nm CMOS technology node, highlighting that nanoelectronics has been one of the very first technological domains to exploit atoms-to-systems approaches in industrial applications.Even more important and fascinating with regard to nano is that the bulk properties of macro-scale materials could often change dramatically when their dimensions are aggressively scaled down. This concerns changes in their elec- trical, mechanical, optical and chemical properties by orders of magnitude, which led many researchers to call these nanomaterials wonder materials.1,2 One-dimensional (ID) and two-dimensional (2D) materials have a relatively larger surface area when compared to the same mass of material produced in a larger form and, when conducting electricity, they experience strong quantum effects. Their chemical reactivity could also change. Many of the nanoscale materials (carbon nanotubes [CNT], graphene, metal oxides, nanoceramics, etc.) become much stronger mechanically than predicted by existing material science models at the macroscopic scale. For instance, the Young's modulus of carbon nanotubes could be similar to the one of diamonds, and their thermal conductivity is enhanced by orders of magnitude. The causes of these drastic changes generally stem from the world of quantum physics. Understanding, modeling and controlling the property of matter of nanoscale to engineer new nanosystems and nanomaterials with unrivalled performance is one of the challenges of 21st-century science. Overall, nanotechnology can indeed also be seen as a platform of enabling techniques,3 rather than a discipline-specific or materials-specific undertaking.On the other hand, as nanotechnology concerns manipulations at atomic and molecular levels, and the creation of artificial objects with extreme properties at a scale invisible to the human eye, it raises controversy, especially related to its impact in the medical and environment fields. Science fiction scenarios involving self-replicating nanobots4 endangering human life and fears related to nanobioengineered food (genetically modified) created some initial negative perception of nanotechnology. On the other hand, today's computer and mobile communication technologies already use nanotransistors in silicon chips and exploit quantum effects related with charge transport and storage for information processing in all hand-held devices, without posing any threats to the users. These greatly benefit from all the services enabled by nanocomputation.In the long term, the true promise of nanotechnology, as anticipated by Ray Kurzweil, is that we'll be able to create just about anything we need in the physical world from information files with very inexpensive input materials.5 It is then obvious that nanotechnology is an immense opportunity for many security applications that no longer face the same limits posed by traditional technologies. Interestingly, when looking into the privileged nanotechnology research directions related to protection, survivability needs and extension of human senses, focusing on the soldier of the future 6 7 one may discover many convergent multi-use applications for firefighters, police officers, other first responders and the civilian community at large. …