Friday, October 12, 2007

Nanotechnology in Second Life

"Nanotechnology refers broadly to a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular level in scales smaller than 1 micrometre, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices within that size range. Examples of nanotechnology in modern use are the manufacture of polymers based on molecular structure, and the design of computer chip layouts based on surface science. Despite the great promise of numerous nanotechnologies such as quantum dots and nanotubes, real commercial applications have mainly used the advantages of colloidal nanoparticles in bulk form, such as suntan lotion, cosmetics, protective coatings, and stain resistant clothing." So far from the Wikipedia.

Nanotechnology Island has launched in Second Life with the goal to establish a place for the Nano Science and Technology communities to come together and to bring key ideas and research into public discussion.
Nanoscience and technology like virtual worlds are frequently cited as “disruptive” technologies. These fields should evolve in relationships between scientists, engineers, policymakers and regulators in a global setting with the opportunity for public debate and engagement.

Dave Taylor, of the National Physical Laboratory (in the UK), explains that some of the key objectives are to:
provide resources to nanotechnology-related individuals and organizations to help them get started in SL: mentoring, technical help, access to shared land and facilities, and subsidised SL development. This last part means that NPL will help cover the costs of developers for SL projects that are approved for display on Nanotechnology island.

I know this article will only interest few people who reads this blog, but what is interesting is that we see more and more companies , developers, sciences, coming into Second Life, finding the basics to develop and to grow in a virtual environment.
For me, it is not the content of this article, which is so important, rather than the news that this science is having interests in the virtual world to do some research through this medium.
And that is keeping my curiosity alive, to find new aspects coming into Second Life, and to see the virtual world grow, and be part of it, as one of the first to know what new is coming up, thanks to our Second Life, which than becomes again our first life.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This news totally made me feel tinie, hehehe

Looker Lumet said...

yes, we are all tiny "sand" grains in these both worlds.;))

Unknown said...

Items like this are why I like your blog so much. You find fascinating stuff. TY!

Looker Lumet said...

Thanks Tymmerie, for sharing this with me, now I know I must keep on doing the things I do. I did not know for sure.