Nanotechnology

NANOTECHNOLOGY, which manipulates atoms and molecules to achieve tiny miracles, could one day lead to little machines that revolutionize the way we live.

Hospitals already use magnetic nanoparticles to deliver drugs within the human body and silver nanoparticles to help fight infection.

But, as the technology evolves, some believe it could be used to create devastating weapons. A 2008 University of Oxford study ranked nanoweapons as having a one in 20 chance of exterminating humanity by the end of the 21st century.

As depicted in the novel “Prey” by prolific sciencefiction author Michael Crichton, these weapons could take on the form of artificially intelligent “swarms” of tiny robots that devour people like a swarm of locusts.

In his book “Nanoweapons: A Growing Threat to Humanity,” physicist Louis Del Monte describes the threat of artificially intelligent nanobots that can self-replicate by seeking out the right atoms and assemble new clones of themselves, capable of surveillance and assassination.

“Once released, their mission would be twofold,” he writes, “Kill humans and replicate . . . 90% of the human race could fall victim to their attacks in a matter of weeks.”