An advanced, general-purpose molecular manufacturing technology could have a significant destabilizing effect and lead to an international arms race; even a nuclear power might not be able to deter a nano power, concludes a preliminary study by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology.
The battlefield of the future will be revolutionised by computing, robotics and biotechnology to create "killer insects" that can hunt down their prey in bunkers and caves and eat humans alive, experts say.
The U.S. Army is planning a transformation based on "Future Combat Systems." New technologies will include hybrid electric vehicles, robotics, lasers, mobile network communications, and an array of smart weapons and sensors based on enabling technologies such as micromechanical systems (MEMS), biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Army researchers say that with the help of nanotechnology, soldiers will be able to sense an oncoming attack, change chameleon-like to blend in with their surroundings and make temperature adjustments.
The Army's first foray into nanotechnology is to develop an interactive and protective uniform for soldiers, according to Dr. Michael Andrews, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology.
US News and World Report discovers the coming nanotechnology revolution in this well written and balanced article. Of special interest is their discussion of the military's reasearch into anti-biological warfare agent 'nano-bombs' and their interview with a scientist who responds to the recent calls for limits to the research by arguing 'we are compelled to keep going, it is just so cool.'
Genetically altered diseases that can pinpoint a specific ethnic group, miniaturized "nanotechnologies" that can boost a soldier's performance and biological armor that can heal itself if a soldier is hit-these are among the technologies that will radically transform future war, a new study says.