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In-Depth Information
Koelling's approach is by no means the only attempt to determine the essence
and scope of nanotechnology. But, in fact, all of them incorporate the same basic
principles, including:
(a) Extreme product miniaturization leading to the acquisition by the micro-objects
of new properties that are distinct from the properties of their macro-analogues.
(b) Control of the macro-object properties by means of directed change in its
structure at the microlevel. Such control is based on the processes of self-
assembly and self-organization.
An essential role in the value system of nanotechnology is played by the
economic potential of products. One of the many examples is constituted by
metal-polymer composites. The introduction of metal nanoparticles into polymers
leads to strength comparable with that of metals, while at the same time, these
materials are much lighter and cheaper, which makes them attractive for the
automotive industry. In this case, besides the reduction of the car's cost due to
the use of metal composites as a building material, reducing the weight of the car
leads to fuel economy, resulting in additional economic benefits.
It is easy to see that the definition of the basic nanotechnological principles given
above does not explicitly use the word “nano,” and this is no accident. These
principles are so multifaceted that they now apply to the areas, which, strictly
speaking, cannot easily be attributed to nanotechnology.
The most striking example is the US project to establish “pico-” and
“nanosatellites.” These systems promise a serious breakthrough in space explora-
tion. In recent years, the possibilities of spacecraft miniaturization have dramati-
cally increased. Significant progress in the semiconductor planar technology, rapid
development in the area of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), and the
emergence of new construction materials have led to the emergence of spacecraft
in a wide weight range.
In this connection, a new satellite classification system based on weight has been
established. Satellites heavier that 1,000 kg are classified as standard, while those
with the weight in the ranges of 100-1,000 kg, 10-100 kg, 1-10 kg, and below 1 kg
are called small, micro, nano, and pico, respectively. Pico- and nanosatellites have
turned out to be the most attractive ones because of their potential to serve as a basis
for developing promising, methodologically novel space research programs. One
example of such programs is the joint effort of the US National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) and the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) aimed
at detailed investigation of the Earth's magnetosphere. Its centerpiece is the crea-
tion of a “constellation” of ~100 identical picosatellites that are simultaneously
launched into different orbits with the same perigee of ~3 Earth radii. The apogees
of the orbits must be in the range of 12-43 Earth radii with the difference of 3 radii.
Each satellite is a simple specialized system (Fig.
1.19
) with an engine and stock of
fuel for orientation and orbit correction. They are launched into space from an
intermediate platform which distributes them in different orbits (Fig.
1.20
). The
NASA/GSFC program provides that the data measured by the orbiting satellites are
transmitted to the Earth station in the perigee. Satellites are designed to carry out
