Inadequate funding for nanotechnology research
Virgil:
March 28th, 2007
Nanotechnology, technology at the scale of atoms, is one of the most promising fields of research in modern science. The potential is there for achieving big tasks with things so small we wouldn’t even realise they existed. And not only that, the tiny machines will be able to achieve the tasks better than big clunky ones, as well as being able to do more tasks than their oversized counterparts. Whilst much speculation regarding this type of engineering is pure science fiction, other implementations are already in use (see this BBC News pictures article for examples).
However the government has failed to provide adequate funding into nanotechnology research, particularly in the area of deciding the dangers of the technology. Without this funding, Britain could lose its place as the pioneer in the field. Indeed, the research itself could be inhibited. Without this kind of input, Britain may be unable to collaborate with researchers abroad, shutting it out of the bigger picture. The nanotechnology sphere is expected to be worth trillions of pounds in the coming future.