Without a doubt, technology makes people’s lives easier. These days, technology is changing at amazing speeds and it is converging in different ways that no man could have ever expected.

As you go along this article, you will learn about the three different kinds of emerging technology. These emerging technologies are expected to create major worldwide changes –both positive and negative - in the near future.

Nanotechnology  

Among the three types of emerging technology, nanotechnology is considered to be the most remarkable. To some, the scale with which it can change the world is somewhat frightening. This technology is a combination of different fields that deal with constructing and synthesizing objects at a scale of 100 nanometers or less.

Nanotechnology works by pulling small parts together to build an entirely new object or it can work the other way around by breaking up big parts into small parts, which will then be used to form new, smaller materials.

It is believed that nanotechnology will have great significance in every aspect of our lives. One of the foremost areas where it holds great promise is medicine. Today, this technology is being used in finding a cure for cancer. In addition to this, researchers and experts are conducting nanotechnology experiments to find ways to help doctors diagnose different diseases faster and more accurately.

Nanotechnology is expected to be used prominently in the field of medicine because it can be used in helping or enhancing the different functions of the body, including the use of oxygen, body responses as well as the use of our senses.

Furthermore, experts see that the application of this emerging technology is practically limitless. For instance, future nanotechnology creations such as very small espionage devices may help in intelligence activities and warfare operations. So, it is not surprising that governments and military forces are excited about this technology because it can be greatly used for combat and reconnaissance.

In the future, there may even be “nanobots” that will be used for scouting enemy lines without being tracked. On the alarming side, these “nanobots” may also be used to kill or damage certain targets within a certain range. Such scenarios point to the fact that, like other forms of technology, nanotechnology can be used for both good and bad.

Alternative Fuels and Energy

The soaring price of gas and growing environmental concerns such as climate change have sparked great interest in the development of technologies related to the production of alternative fuels and energy, including biofuels, wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal energy, among others. While these energy alternatives are considered better for the environment than fossil fuels, the technologies needed to produce them are very expensive to develop. This is the main reason why their development has not been as rapid as they should be.

Nevertheless, these options are becoming more and more attractive to governments worldwide with the growing oil crisis and pressure from environmentalists. Even big oil companies are recognizing the need to develop alternative energy and are funding research. Such actions promise major changes in the energy industry in the years ahead.

Bionetics

Bionetics is an emerging technology that incorporates technology and the human body. A robotic limb is the perfect example of this today. Several people have actually been implanted with a robotic limb. Another application of bionetics is the insertion of small electronic devices into a person’s body to help them perform a variety of tasks such as unlocking doors, switching on cars or computers and so much more.

Bionetics can also be used to store a person’s health and medical information so that, in case of emergency, doctors can access the person’s medical history even he is unconscious. There are also plans to make a network of these devices so that people who are linked together are able to sense each others emotions. You can imagine how this will significantly change human interaction should this ever become a reality.

Indeed, the emerging technologies discussed above are expected to change the world in significant ways. Should you support their development? Only by learning about them will you be able to decide for yourself.