Home technology blended with nanotechnology for medicine and lifestyle applications

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In the near future lifestyles will reflect yet another iteration of 21st Century science, nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the coming direction home technology will take. Nanotechnology is science that controls matter on a molecular level. That's right, nanotechnology is manipulating structures as small as molecules.

The implications are mind-boggling. Electronic, or computer storage can get so small that you will actually be able to compute on a wrist watch. Think about polymers, or plastics, being used as flexible, lightweight replacements for metals. How will our homes change when that becomes the norm?

There are already nanoproducts and it's fascinating to read an update on what's coming in nanotechnology. Clean energy, clean water, cheaper electronics.

• Nanotech has extreme potential to reduce energy consumption while increasing production.
• Nano will bring more environmentally friendly energy methods.
• Nanotechnology has the potential to create medical exploration inside the body.

Food processing and packaging will change - safe antibacterial coatings may be applied directly to fresh food packaging. Heat and cold sensitivity can be improved for foods being shipped - making produce last longer and therefore, cost less. Textiles in the home will likely become wrinkle free, stain-proof and nearly indestructible. Surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom will go in similar directions - won't that be a pleasure?

Nanotechnology is coming - behind the scenes, inroads are being made to tool up manufacturing environments and to make them safe for workers as the transition happens. Chicago is in the thick of things, for example, we have the International Institute for Nanotechnology and you can read about some devices pioneered at the University of Chicago. This isn't distant magic for your children's future - it's the reality of your own future.

In what way would you like to see nanotechnology impact your own life? How will nations keep up with this new science?

If you liked this column, may I recommend Zefrank's Awesome Web Magic?