nanotechnology
Atom-scale manufacturing
Nanotechnology is engineering at the molecular scale—manipulating matter at dimensions measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter).
At this scale, materials can behave differently than in bulk form, enabling novel applications in medicine, electronics, and materials science: Nanotechnology allows drugs to target specific cells.
The field encompasses both current applications like stain-resistant fabrics and theoretical possibilities like self-replicating machines.
Billionth-meter dimension
- angstromSubatomic length unit
- picometerTrillionth of a meter
- moleculeBonded atomic group
- atomElement's smallest unit
subatomic · molecular · infinitesimal · ultrafine · ultrathin · miniaturization · downsizing
Submicroscopic material fragment
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- fullereneCage-shaped carbon allotrope
- nanofiberUltrathin synthetic strand
nanocomposite · nanowire · buckminsterfullerene · aerogel · nanodiamond · nanosilver
Light-transfers patterns onto silicon
- microfabricationManufacturing miniature structures precisely
- cleanroomParticle-free manufacturing space
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
lithography · patterning · deposition · assembly · self-assembly · bottom-up · top-down · nanomanufacturing
Semiconductor signal switch
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
- MEMSMicroscale electromechanical devices
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- STMNanoscale surface scanner
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
imaging · resolution · SEM
Molecule-sized autonomous device
- replicatorThing that duplicates
- swarmMass of moving insects
- self-replicationAutonomous copying of oneself
- science-fictionSpeculative technology-based literature
Administering medicine to body
- nanorobotSubmicroscopic autonomous machine
- liposomeBilayer sphere for delivery
- cancer-treatmentMedicine targeting malignant growths
- biocompatibilityHarmlessness to living systems
Systematic fact-finding effort
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- self-organizationSpontaneous internal structure emergence
- interdisciplinaryCombining distinct fields
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
atom · subatomic · molecular · infinitesimal · ultrafine · ultrathin · miniaturization · downsizing
nanoparticle
Submicroscopic material fragment
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- fullereneCage-shaped carbon allotrope
nanofiber · nanocomposite · nanowire · buckminsterfullerene · aerogel · nanodiamond · nanosilver
photolithography
Light-transfers patterns onto silicon
- microfabricationManufacturing miniature structures precisely
- cleanroomParticle-free manufacturing space
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
sputtering · lithography · patterning · deposition · assembly · self-assembly · bottom-up · top-down · nanomanufacturing · nanofabrication
transistor
Semiconductor signal switch
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
microscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- STMNanoscale surface scanner
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
characterization · imaging · resolution · SEM
nanomachine
Molecule-sized autonomous device
- replicatorThing that duplicates
- swarmMass of moving insects
- self-replicationAutonomous copying of oneself
drug-delivery
Administering medicine to body
- nanorobotSubmicroscopic autonomous machine
- liposomeBilayer sphere for delivery
- cancer-treatmentMedicine targeting malignant growths
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- self-organizationSpontaneous internal structure emergence
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- sciencebiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology
- STEMscience, engineering, mathematics, math, chemistry
- technologyelectronics, computing, computer, internet, social media
- academic fieldsmathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history
- Applied Sciencesengineering, medicine, computer science, biotechnology, pharmacology
nanotechnologyheavy industry
Capital-intensive manufacturing sector
civil engineering · industrial manufacturing · mass production · heavy machinery · construction