nano-
One billionth prefix
Nano- is a prefix meaning extremely small, derived from the Greek word for dwarf.
In scientific contexts it denotes one billionth of a unit: a nanosecond is one billionth of a second, and a nanometer is one billionth of a meter.
Nanotechnology works at this molecular scale.
More loosely, nano- attaches to words to suggest miniature versions: nano-apartment, nano-influencer.
The prefix gained currency as technology shrank.
Molecular-scale machine science
- nanotubesHollow molecular cylinders
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- nanofibersUltrathin synthetic threads
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
nanomedicine · nanoelectronics · quantum dots · self-assembly · buckyballs · carbon nanotubes · smart materials
Too small for eyes
- atomicOf elemental particles
- molecularOf tiny particles
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
angstrom · picometer · submicroscopic · ultrafine · quantum · subatomic · billionth · micro
Molecular-level medical technology
- drug deliveryConveying medicine to tissues
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
- liposomesPhospholipid bilayer spheres
- biosensorsDevices detecting via biological reactions
Tiniest cellular identity chip
- compactTightly packed together
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
- portableAble to be carried
- handheldDesigned for palm use
nanorobotics
Molecular-scale machine science
- nanotubesHollow molecular cylinders
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- nanofibersUltrathin synthetic threads
nanofabrication · nanomedicine · nanoelectronics · quantum dots · self-assembly · buckyballs · carbon nanotubes · smart materials
microscopic
Too small for eyes
infinitesimal · angstrom · picometer · submicroscopic · ultrafine · quantum · subatomic · billionth · micro · tiny
nanomedicine
Molecular-level medical technology
- drug deliveryConveying medicine to tissues
- targeted therapyTreatment hitting specific molecules
- liposomesPhospholipid bilayer spheres
nano SIM
Tiniest cellular identity chip
- compactTightly packed together
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
- portableAble to be carried
nanoscale, nanometer, nanotechnology, nanotech, nanosecond, nanoparticle, nanobots, nanobot, nanowires