Why Am I Writing a Nanoscience Book?
And why do people keep listening to Ray Kurzweil?
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m writing a book on nanotechnology, covering its history, the science that makes it possible, its cultural impact, and its future directions. In simple terms, nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale—roughly the size of a small molecule, about a billionth of a meter. I’ve been a nanoscience researcher for over 20 years and have co-founded two startups in the field. I’ve also authored two other pop science/math books. While these credentials seemingly make me a natural fit to write an entertaining book on the science of nanotechnology, there’s a bit more to the book than that. Let me explain.
Have You Met Nano?
You might recognize nanotechnology from movies like Marvel’s Avengers, where Tony Stark’s tiny machines can heal wounds or form advanced armor in seconds:
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is not alone—nanobots, hypothetical tiny robots that can do almost anything, are a trope that appears across science fiction. They show up everywhere from Michael Crichton novels to James Bond films. Unfortunately, the nanobot is (1) science fiction, not science fact, and (2) pretty much the only thing the average person knows about nanotechnology.
For those who have gone beyond science fiction, they’ve most likely heard about nanotechnology from futurists like Michio Kaku and Ray Kurzweil. Kurzweil, in particular, has been a vocal proponent of the idea that nanobots will one day swim through our bloodstream, repairing cells and eradicating diseases like cancer altogether. According to Kurzweil, within the next 10 years, nanobots will connect our minds to the cloud, allowing us to learn everything from new languages to quantum physics by downloading information directly into our brains. He’s even claimed that nanobots will make us functionally immortal:
Call me skeptical. Kurzweil is a legit genius in his area of expertise—artificial intelligence, including inventing technologies like the flatbed scanner and text-to-speech systems. However, to the best of my knowledge, he’s never actually worked in a nanoscience lab or banged his head against a wall trying to get molecule-sized objects to behave the way you want. While there’s always a chance his predictions will turn out to be correct, his ideas are not representative of those actually working in the field, most of whom would agree that the state of the art in nanoscience is far removed from anything we see in science fiction.
What We’re Missing
While we have excellent science communicators like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Sabine Hossenfelder to debunk pseudoscience in their respective fields, we are sorely lacking communicators who can combat junk nanoscience. For example, in the video above, NdT doesn’t remotely push back on Kurzweil’s claims of immortality and downloadable intelligence, despite the fact that even the average non-scientist would have their skeptical Spidey sense tingling at the outlandishness of it.
The lack of credible nanoscience communicators is becoming increasingly problematic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rumors circulated about nefarious nanotechnology being used in vaccines, with claims that microscopic robots were being injected into people’s bodies for mind control and other sinister purposes. These falsehoods caused real harm, leading to vaccine hesitancy, reducing the number of people willing to get vaccinated, and making it easier for COVID to spread. Myths like these feed public misunderstanding and create unnecessary fear, all while overshadowing the real, tangible advancements happening in the field.
Public understanding of nanotechnology is becoming increasingly crucial as it’s poised to revolutionize nearly every aspect of our lives—from healthcare and electronics to energy and environmental solutions. Nanoscience drives innovations like advanced drug delivery systems, clean energy technologies, and smart materials. A clear understanding of these advancements is essential for informed policymaking. With misinformation about nanotechnology on the rise, reliable sources are more important than ever to help people separate fact from fiction and fully grasp its potential impact on society.
Take anti-aging therapies. There’s a lot of bunk out there, including everything from celebrities hawking dubious supplements to detox regimens that lack scientific backing. Many of these approaches prey on the public’s lack of scientific knowledge, often masking themselves in pseudoscientific language that seems credible. However, there’s also legitimate science on aging that might lead to improved longevity and a longer healthspan. For instance, consider senescent cells. These are cells that have stopped dividing and accumulate with age. They don’t die off naturally, and while they remain in the body, they secrete harmful chemicals that can cause inflammation and contribute to various age-related diseases, like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers. Senolytic drugs are a class of compounds designed to target and eliminate these senescent cells. Some anti-aging treatments have even reached clinical trials. For example, the TAME clinical trial (Targeting Aging with Metformin) focuses on testing whether existing drugs can slow the aging process.
Even if we never have Kurzweilian nanobots, nano-based technologies are still going to have huge impact on our everyday lives. We need talented communicators who can explain the complex science in fun and engaging ways.
Why I’m Writing
I’m writing a book on nanoscience to help people better understand the technology and make more informed decisions. In the next decade, nanotechnologies will increasingly become part of our homes, healthcare, and daily lives, making it essential for people to understand how these innovations will affect them.
I know what some of you are thinking:
Do people actually need to understand how the nanotechnologies behind clean energy and healthcare work, or is it enough for them to just feel comfortable using them?
That’s a great question. Most people don’t need to know the technical details of how nanotechnologies work to benefit from them. However, feeling comfortable using these technologies often comes from a basic understanding of how they function. Knowing that a drug delivery therapy improves efficacy by sticking to specific cells in the body—rather than by microscopic robots doing God knows what—can foster trust and acceptance. I want to ensure that when new nanotechnologies that benefit society emerge, science illiteracy doesn’t lead to another controversy like we saw with the COVID vaccine.
To build the future we want, we need a deeper understanding of nanotechnologies. This is especially crucial for those involved in decisions about their development, regulation, and ethical implications. Scientists, policymakers, and educators need a firm grasp of nanoscience to drive progress, manage risks, and address public concerns. For the general public, fostering comfort and trust—while combating misinformation—is equally important, even if most people don’t need to know the intricate mechanics of how nanoparticles stick together.
Another reason I’m writing this book is deeply personal: my parents and other loved ones are getting older. I see the signs—more frequent trips to the doctor, their mobility isn’t what it used to be. As much as I’m skeptical of the bold predictions made by futurists, I still want to live in the world they envision. I want nanotechnologies that can extend the lives of my family and friends by decades. For this reason, part of this book is designed as a “how-to” guide for moving toward the exciting sci-fi tech we see in movies. I’m not sure how much of it we can make a reality, but I do know that if we hope to successfully engineer and deploy these technologies, we’ll need to follow certain key principles—such as embracing disruptive innovations and creating adaptable, scalable solutions. This book outlines how we can use these concepts to build, or at least get as close as scientifically possible to, the utopian sci-fi futures depicted in fiction.
The last reason I’m writing this book is simple: it’s damn interesting! Nanotech history is filled with colorful characters, whimsical inventions, and even failed assassination plots. It’s a fascinating history that few people know but anyone would enjoy learning about.
Nanotechnology is on the brink of transforming our world in ways both profound and unexpected. Through this book, I hope to not only spark curiosity about the incredible science behind it but also guide readers in understanding its impact on their lives, their future, and the world we’re building together. If you want to be part of this journey, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this post with others!