Emerging Technologies
Nanotechnology
Definition
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometers in at least one dimension, and involves developing or modifying materials or devices within that size.
Why It Matters
By engineering materials at the nanoscale, we can create new properties and functionalities not seen at the macro scale. This has applications across almost every field, including medicine, electronics, energy, and manufacturing.
Contextual Example
Sunscreen can contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These tiny particles are transparent to visible light (so they don't look white on the skin) but are very effective at blocking harmful UV rays.
Common Misunderstandings
- A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. A human hair is about 80,000-100,000 nanometers wide.
- Nanotechnology is not a single field, but an enabling technology that applies to many different scientific disciplines.