In future we may never have to wash our shirts, thanks to nanotechnology, and we may have nano-shoes that can absorb the shock of an exploding nuclear device.
A. Sivathanu Pillai, one of India's top scientists, discussed all this and many more far-reaching possibilities of nanotechnology, which basically means engineering of systems at molecular level, at an industry meet here last week.
"It is material science at its best," said Pillai, who is chief controller (research and development) at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"Nanotechnology is the science that can ensure sustainability of agriculture and food production and give a solution to water and energy crisis. These two areas would witness an investment of $45 billion per year in nanotechnology research in the next 10 years," he forecast.