What Is Nanotechnology?

Chapter 1: Introduction to Nanotechnology

1.1 Nanotechnology - definition & meaning

Nanotechnology literally means any technology on a nanoscale (less than the size of 100 nm) that has applications in the recent and modern advancement[1].

Nanotechnology is a field of science and technology whose theme is the control of size of matter. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1-100 nm. In other words, it is the design, characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at nanometer scale[2] [3].

Nanotechnology is multidisciplinary field including material science, interface & colloid science,

Science and technology research in nanotechnology gives new ideas and advancement in areas like materials and manufacturing, nanoelectronics, medical industry, biotechnology, information technology and national security. It is widely felt that nanotechnology will be the next industrial revolution.

Nanometer - scale features are mainly built up from their elemental constituents. The definition of a nanomaterial/nanoparticle is an aggregate of atoms bonded together with a radius between 1 to 100 nm. The properties of the materials at nano level can be very different from those at a bulk level. When the size of material is decrease from bulk, then properties remain the same at first, then small changes show, and finally the size drops below 100 nm, dramatic changes can occur in material's

Applications of nanodevices or nano based systems include chemical/biosensors and gas sensors, infrared detectors, space science,fuel cells, flat panel displays etc. Nanodevices are produced by nanomachining in top-down approach and bottom-up approach. Nanodevices used in many microscopies in the form of sharp nanotips attatched with the cantilevers.

Nanoelectronics can be used to build computer memory using individual molecules or nanotubes to store bits of information. Nanotubes also have large application in the electronics or other field, examples are: nanotube flat-panel displsys, nanotube transistors, nanotube integrated circuits, fast logic gates, switches, nanoscopic lasers, and nanotube as electrode in fuel cells.

Nanotechnology has a great impact in the field of medical industry. Bio-nanosystems are also being developed for minimal invasive surgery, including endoscopic surgery and microscopic surgery. It also helps doctors and surgeons for repairing and reproducing the damaged