If this artificial photosynthesis technology works, it might one day be used to help clean up the excess carbon dioxide responsible for global warming, says Braach-Maksvytis, who was a key speaker at a recent Horizons of Science forum on nanotechnology at the University of Technology, Sydney. Australia has the capability to establish itself as a leader in this new field, she says. She also argues that, unlike genetically modified foods, there is time left to get the introduction of this technology right by addressing ethical concerns before there is any major impact on society. In its short lifespan, nanotechnology has inspired much hype and horror. There have also been calls for guidelines for researchers to ensure they don't wipe out life on Earth by accidentally releasing such a device.
Assemblers are still very much science fiction.
An American team has shown that two simple molecules can guide similar molecules to link up in the same way they have. Nobel prize-winning chemist, Dr Richard Smalley, declared in the journal Science last month that Drexler's idea of assemblers was scientifically implausible. Associate Professor John Weckert, of the ARC Special Research Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University, says speculation about nanomachines running amok needs to be discussed but he has more immediate concerns about nanotechnology. It is expected to lead to much smaller, faster computers with much more memory. This will exacerbate existing problems related to IT such as invasion of privacy and increased surveillance of people.