April 3, 2005: Nanotechnology - Charles Ostman

Nanotechnology expert Charles Ostman, senior fellow at the Institute for Global Futures, joins Art Bell to discuss molecular-scale engineering and commercial applications after Art's opening news on Pope John Paul II, the upcoming papal conclave, and Yucca Mountain nuclear waste data falsification.

Ostman explains that nanotechnology involves the precise manipulation of matter at the molecular scale, drawing inspiration from natural cellular processes. He details several emerging applications: solar paint and roll-to-roll manufactured photovoltaic materials that can convert sunlight into electricity at drastically lower costs than silicon, carbon nanofiber composites that could produce lighter and stronger vehicles, nanoscale lubricants that reduce engine friction, and advanced battery technologies with higher charge density and longer lifespans. He also describes smart windows that shift from opaque to transparent in milliseconds and military fabrics that harden on bullet impact.

Art connects nanotechnology to the energy crisis, asking whether these innovations can arrive quickly enough to offset declining oil supplies. Ostman argues that progress will come as a mosaic of solutions rather than a single replacement, with private sector innovation and patent protections driving the pace of development.