Carbon nanotechnology - Is it fourth industrial revolution?

15 April 2007

Various intellectuals believe that so far three technological revolutions have contributed in the industrial revolution. The first industrial revolution started after the discovery of Watt’s steam engine during eighteenth century. This discovery has led rapid utilizaion of steam energy in place of human labor and it put the foundation of modern world.

At the end of nineteenth century, the discovery of electrical generator and internal combustion engine inintiated the second industrial revolution. These discoveries accelerated the contribution of first industrial revolution and the increased usage of electrical appliances and various automobiles also initiated.

First computer discovery in 1940s led to the third industrial revolution. The third industrial revolution contributed in the automation and rapid growth in various computer based industrial application and information technology. All these industrial revolutions has made human life more comfortable however these discoveries were also responsible for more environmental pollution.

With the recent development in nanotechnolog and discoveries of fullerenes and crbon nanotubes, the nanotechnology might lead to next industrial revolution. The concept of nanotechnology is associated to Nobel Laureate Richard Feynmann, who first introduced the concept in the year 1959 at California Intitute of Technology. Thereafter the invention of scanning tunneling microscope in 1981open the door for the nanotechnology.

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