Nanotechnology
By:
Carole I. Smith
Nanotechnology. Ever heard of it? Most
of us haven't. Well here's the scoop. Nanotechnology is
the creation of materials, devices and systems through
the manipulation of individual atoms or molecules. It
is very likely to change the way almost everything is
designed and made. It has already been shown that carbon
nanotubes are ten times stronger than steel with one-sixth
of the weight, and that nanoparticles can target and kill
cancer cells. Explosive job growth nanotechnology is anticipated
in the years ahead due to the advances in the semiconductor
industry, now America's largest manufacturing industry.
The
growth of the semiconductor industry is fueled by the
growth in the computer and networking industry, wireless
telephones, personal digital assistants (PDSs) and products
that connect people to the Internet. By 2004, it is estimated
that more than 4.4 billion people will be connected to
the Internet. The impact of this growth on the U.S. economy
is significant. The total value of worldwide shipments
of semiconductors in 1999 was $144 billion, of which roughly
one third were U.S. shipments; and semiconductor production
is expected to grow by nearly 20% per year to $233 billion
in 2002.
To
meet this explosive demand, the semiconductor industry
will need trained and qualified technicians and operators.
Worldwide, over 120,000 new workers will be needed by
2002, and 70,000 of these new jobs will be in the United
States. Over 40% of these new jobs will be at the associate
degree level and will offer starting salaries between
$30,000 and $45,000.
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