DEVELOPMENT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ZIMBABWE
Introduction The purpose of the fact sheet is to give an overview of the development of nanotechnology in Zimbabwe. This comes against a background in which the country has identified nanotechnology as its priority research area in its second Science ,Technology and Innovation Policy which was launched on 13 June 2012. What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology is the manipulation of materials at molecular level between 1 and 100 nanometres. One nanometre is one-millionth of a millimetre and a single human hair is around 80,000 nanometres in width. Materials are the essence of nanotechnology because at nanoscale, some materials arrange themselves in different atomic formations not seen in the bulk form of the same materials. Throughout history of mankind, materials have defined the technology of the age. We refer to the Stone Age and the Iron Age because of the types of materials that were used or developed during those eras to make the technology that was used in everyday life. Nanotechnology is expected to have a profound impact on the economy and society perhaps comparable to ICT and biotechnology. It is anticipated that the technology may bring not only the desired and intended effects such as improved products and economic growth but also unexpected and undesirable side effects. Benefits and Risks of Nanotechnology Nanotechnology has potential applications that can contribute towards human development in Zimbabwe. Nanotechnologies promises breakthrough in areas such as electronics, medicine, energy, water and the environment.. However, the technology can bring new forms of toxicity and could deepen the economic divide between Africa and the rest of the world.